Flashscore sources: Why Chelsea are trying to win the race for John Stones

[p]There is a feeling internally that the team needs an older head to help guide them towards trophy winning moments, and it is something they have looked at closely this summer.[/p][p]The desire for new leadership became apparent when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chelsea/4fGZN2oK/"]Chelsea[/a] attempted to sign 33-year-old [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/xhaka-granit/QBHCDKff/"]Granit Xhaka[/a] from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sunderland/WSzc94ws/"]Sunderland[/a].[/p][p][b]Xhaka is a player Xabi Alonso knows and trusts, and would have brought a new layer of quality to the dressing room and the pitch. Similarly, Chelsea view [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/stones-john/SlLxn4xl/"]Stones[/a] as a player who can elevate their potential for next season.[/b][/p][p]Stones is available on a free transfer following the expiry of his [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]Manchester City[/a] contract, but since the end of last season he has been focused on World Cup duties with England.[/p][p]Options are now being explored by the 32-year-old centre-back, both in England and abroad. [/p][embed guid="292bc9a1-de77-4f16-b041-5a62c5b740e8" url="https://x.com/TheBlueDodger/status/2079530038928494938" social-type="twitter" /][p]Chelsea are putting themselves firmly in the frame to sign him, while [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a] are another English side to have contemplated the idea. Stones has a good relationship with Mikel Arteta, which might give the Gunners an edge, while [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/everton/KluSTr9s/"]Everton[/a] have been very keen on the idea of signing him as well.[/p][p][b]Stones has also attracted attention from Italian sides [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/inter/Iw7eKK25/"]Inter Milan[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/juventus/C06aJvIB/"]Juventus[/a] as top next destinations to continue his career.[/b][/p][p]Stones won the Premier League six times with Manchester City and also has experience of winning the Champions League.[/p][p]Chelsea feel such experience could help change the mindset of their squad as they push for growth in the 2026/27 season, but they are waiting to discover if they can truly win the race to sign him.[/p][p][b]Chelsea are already in talks to sign [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lacroix-maxence/j5bGWFU7/"]Maxence Lacroix[/a] from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/crystal-palace/AovF1Mia/"]Crystal Palace[/a] in a bid to improve their defence - and Stones would be signed additionally if they can put together an offer that tempts him.[/b][/p][p]It is obvious that Stones and Lacroix, 26, are at opposite stages of their career and that would change the dynamic of the squad at a time when they are looking to offload players.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/badiashile-benoit/bqJ7TZrU/"]Benoit Badiashile[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/chalobah-trevoh/2N61AJte/"]Trevoh Chalobah[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/adarabioyo-tosin/6w8mLnxQ/"]Tosin Adarabioyo[/a], and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/disasi-axel/Q32vx71U/"]Axel Disasi[/a] are among those who could be moved on. [/p][infobox id="f961102e-920a-4281-b5f2-f996852544cf" /]