“I didn’t want to do it” – John Stones admits he considered England retirement last season | OneFootball

Manchester City defender John Stones has revealed he nearly called time on his international career amidst recurring injury woes last season.

The 31-year-old is into the final year of his current deal at the Etihad Stadium as club bosses deliberate on their plans for the Barnsley-born star, who is Pep Guardiola’s longest-serving player in the current first-team squad.

Stones has struggled with injuries during the entirety of his near 10-year spell in Manchester, whilst having played an instrumental role in the success City have enjoyed under Guardiola over the course of his managerial spell at the Etihad Stadium.

However, there remain concerns over Stones’ fitness and whether the centre-half can be entrusted to perform at the highest level and leave his injury troubles behind him should he be offered a contract extension.

The recent summer transfer window made it evident that sentiment has no room in the new-found regime at the Etihad Stadium, led by Manchester City’s director of football Hugo Viana, who signed off on a series of high-profile departures in a crossroads moment for the club.

Stones remains a popular figure behind the scenes at Manchester City and was pivotal in the club’s 2017-18, 2020-21 and 2022-23 campaigns as he forged solid defensive partnerships with the likes of Nicolas Otamendi, Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte.

However, injuries have repeatedly gotten the better of the England international in recent seasons and Stones would go so far as admitting that he has not lived up to his potential at Manchester City due to his worrying fitness record.

Having been called up to the England squad for their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Stones has admitted that he considered calling it a day on his international career in the midst of fitness issues last term.

“Last season was tough for me, to the point where I thought about stopping,” Stones told BBC Radio 5 Live, as quoted by BBC Sport. “I didn’t want to do it (play for England anymore).

“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. My emotions were high. I wasn’t thinking straight. I don’t think deep down I would have ever done it (retired).”

Guardiola remains a huge fan of Stones and when fit, most would argue that the Englishman remains the best centre-half at Manchester City and it is imperative that Stones remains fit if he is to prove Viana and co to hand him a new deal past 2026.

Stones added: “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 (England manager Thomas 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 isn’t 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.”

Stones does not boast an encouraging fitness record when away on international duty and Guardiola will be singing his prayers for the former Everton man and the rest of his Manchester City squad to return unscathed ahead of their Premier League meeting against Jack Grealish and Everton in a few weeks’ time.