Stones almost quit in 2024 as England and City defender feared for future amid injury crisis
Loving being on the turf again, John Stones reflects on consideration amidst last year’s injury crisis.
England and Manchester City defender John Stones revealed that he nearly hung his boots last season amid career-threatening injury sustained through the season.
Stones, who just managed to make eleven English Premier League appearances last campaign due to foot and hamstring issues, ended own season as early as February.
The Manchester City defender, who was signed from Everton, has enjoyed stellar career with the Eastlanders, racking in various trophies home and abroad.
Stones Almost Quit in 2024
The 31-year-old has featured for England at five different major tournaments, but has not represented the Three Lions since October 2024, with former Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel having taken over as manager in January.
Stones is called up and in the squad for Thursday’s friendly against Wales at Wembley and the World Cup qualifier against Latvia on Tuesday, 14 October (both 19:45 BST).
Victory for England in Riga will cement the Three Lions’ place at the next summer’s World Cup tournament, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Last season was tough for me, to the point where I thought about stopping,” Stones told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“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.”
Various degrees of injuries have ruled out John Stones from making featuring for more than 27 appearances in one premier league season for Manchester City, since joining from Everton in 2016.
“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,” Stones continued.
“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.
Stones Almost Quit in 2024
“Hopefully I don’t go back to that place.”
During the current campaign, Stones has featured six times, but it is quite understandable that Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola seems to prefer centre-back pairing of Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
“My emotions were high. I wasn’t thinking straight. I don’t think deep down I would have ever done it [retired],” said Stones.
“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.”
During a press conference last week, England national team manager Thomas Tuchel disclosed that no player was guaranteed an automatic place in the England squad, and following his justified decision to leave out Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish.
Still, Stones’ worth to Tuchel became widely known in June when, despite being out with injuries, he was called up to join the England squad in Spain for a warm-weather training camp.
Stones Almost Quit in 2024
“My love for England, I think it’s difficult to put into words. I love England so much – I love playing for England,” Stones said.
“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.
“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 teammate – it was a special moment.”
Although, Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon has made impressive start to his England career under their new manager< Thomas Tuchel, on the left wing, but believes that he has not been to the level he wants when featuring for the national side.
Stones Almost Quit in 2024
“I think I have probably been at 50% in an England shirt,” he said. “I am nowhere near where I can get to. But I am feeling more comfortable every time I play.
“I’m looking forward to performing like that more often. I probably should have been putting in those performances a little bit earlier. I felt I played well in Serbia and I’m looking to kick on from there.”
It is of no surprise to Gordon that Thomas Tuchel sticks with the same team selection from the September camp, which he described as “the best I have been a part of in terms of the vibe of the camp” because “everything clicked on and off the pitch”.
It is a new dawn for all England players under their new coach who offers no player automatic starting spot.
Stones Almost Quit in 2024
