Manchester City and England defender John Stones has revealed the extent of his struggles with injuries last season, admitting he even contemplated retirement. The 31-year-old endured a difficult campaign, limited to just 11 Premier League appearances due to persistent foot and hamstring issues, the latter keeping him sidelined from February.
Stones, who has been a mainstay in the England squad for several major tournaments, has not featured for the national team since October 2024. However, he has been recalled to the squad by new England manager Thomas Tuchel for the upcoming friendly against Wales at Wembley and the crucial World Cup qualifier against Latvia on October 14, 2025. A win in Riga would secure England's place at next summer's World Cup finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Stones opened up about the mental toll of his injury struggles. "Last season was tough for me, to the point where I thought about stopping," he confessed. "I didn't want to do it. I had had enough of being so professional and trying to do everything right in my power, only to then keep breaking down and not having the answers. It was a very difficult place to be in".
Since joining Manchester City from Everton in 2016, Stones has been a key figure in their defense, but injuries have often hampered his appearances, rarely exceeding 27 league games in a single season. He admitted the frustration of not knowing why the injuries kept recurring despite his dedication to maintaining peak physical condition. "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 explained. "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".
Reflecting on his journey, Stones acknowledged the "lonely dark days" of training alone while recovering, a stark contrast to the camaraderie of team sport. He emphasized the mental fortitude required to overcome such challenges, setting personal goals to return to the pitch. Despite a thigh issue disrupting his previous season, Stones helped England reach the Euro 2024 final.
While Stones has made five starts this season, manager Pep Guardiola seems to favor Ruben Dias and another center-back pairing. Stones' contract with Manchester City is set to expire in June 2026.
Despite the setbacks, Stones remains determined to contribute to both Manchester City and England. He has been working closely with City's medical team to address his injury issues and find ways to prevent them. "I feel great, I'm back fit, ready to help the team when called upon," he affirmed. "I think this season I've got to look more detailed into training, things that I can do off the pitch that I can sustain playing a lot more games".
