Manchester City defender has revealed why he 'thought' about retiring last term.
Manchester City defender reveals why he 'thought' about retiring last term originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Manchester City star John Stones has revealed that he considered hanging up his boots last season due to his injuries and setbacks.
Stones made only 20 appearances across competitions for Man City in the previous campaign after suffering a foot injury, followed by hamstring issues that cut his season short in February.
The English defender's injury woes also affected his spot in his national squad, having not taken the pitch for the Three Lions since October 2024.
Now, Stones has opened up about his struggles on and off the pitch in the 2024/25 campaign and told BBC Radio 5 Live,
"Last season was tough for me, to the point where I thought about stopping. I didn't want to do it. I had had enough of being so professional and trying to do everything right in my power, to then keep breaking down and not having the answers. It was a very difficult place to be in."
"There comes a point where you don't know why it happens and it is even harder when you put in so much effort, or you are ultra professional, to be able to play and be available. When that time comes and something happens, it would be easier to say 'well I didn't do X, Y and Z that's why' - but when you do it, it's then mentally challenging. Hopefully I don't go back to that place."
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Stones then spoke about his ‘winning mentality,’ and added,
"My emotions were high. I wasn't thinking straight. I don't think deep down I would have ever done it [retired]. I said years ago when City wanted me to have a new challenge, I said 'I am going to fight'. That's all I have known since I was a kid - why should I stop that now?"
"So yes, there is that fight in me and that winning mentality that doesn't want to stop."
Man City's John Stones on return to England national team
While Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, and Jack Grealish did not make it to the head coach Thomas Tuchel's England squad due to their respective form and injuries, Stones received the call in June despite being injured.
Stones shared his thoughts on being included in the national squad and training by Tuchel and said,
"My love for England, I think it's difficult to put into words. I love England so much - I love playing for England. I have had some of the best moments in my career playing for England [and at] tournaments. When he [Tuchel] said, 'will I come out and be with the guys and continue my training', it was a no-brainer."
The 31-year-old further mentioned how being around the team helped him and explained,
"I wanted to be there, be around the guys. He saw it from so many points of view. I hadn't been around the team [and] he knew that I was lonely training by myself, being in a difficult spot."
"[But also] to be a presence, to be someone to speak to, a vent for the younger guys. I suppose knowing that someone [who is not fit] is willing to come and be part of a team, that shows a great deal to the lads that are coming into the squad and what England has and has created over the years.”
"For me to come and show my face, offer advice, be a good team-mate - it was a special moment."
It appears that Stone has been making progress and getting back on the pitch, having already started in five out of the six appearances he has made for Man City this season.
Now, it remains to be seen if Stones is back in action for England in their upcoming friendly against Wales on Thursday at Wembley, followed by the World Cup qualifier against Latvia on October 14.
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