John Stones issues fresh fitness update ahead of new Manchester City season | OneFootball

Manchester City have received an encouraging fitness update from John Stones ahead of the brand new 2025/26 season.

After enduring a frustrating 2024/25 campaign plagued by injury setbacks, the England international now appears ready to put his fitness issues behind him and re-establish himself within Pep Guardiola’s plans.

Stones’ 2024/25 season was disrupted by four separate injuries, which saw the 31-year-old miss a total of 33 matches for club and country. Two foot-related issues sidelined him for 12 games combined, while a hamstring injury ruled the defender out for over three months, spanning 94 days and forcing his absence from 17 fixtures.

An additional undisclosed problem meant Stones also missed four games in the early stages of the campaign. City’s medical team exercised caution in reintegrating Stones toward the back end of last season, with Pep Guardiola also speaking in support of protecting the player’s long-term health.

Now, with the new season just days away, Stones has delivered a timely update.

Speaking to reporters from the City Football Academy and an open training session for Pep Guardiola’s side, John Stones was asked how he feels from a fitness perspective heading towards the brand new campaign.

“Yeah, good,” the England international responded. He continued, “[I’m] Back to full fitness, feel great – I have been for a few months now – so I’m feeling good!”

It remains to be seen how big of a part Stones plays in Guardiola’s new-look squad, and the defender was further quizzed on whether fans can expected somewhat of a fresh identity to the squad when it comes to playing style with changes made to coaching staff this summer.

“I don’t think so no. I think it’s too hard to drastically change your identity and what we’ve kind of cemented over the years,” Stones said.

The Englishman continued, “But obviously there’s fine tweaks and fresh faces – Pep Lijnders whose come in, Kolo [Toure] has been incredible, brought a new energy to us, a new aspect, and a new angle of looking at things.

“And I think it’s all positive. It’s going to help us in the long run, they’re enthusiastic for it, as we are as players. And it will be soon here, the season’s round the corner.”

The update from Stones will be seen as a boost not only to City fans, but also to Pep Guardiola himself, who values the defender’s ability to operate in hybrid roles across central defence and midfield.

Stones played a crucial part in Manchester City’s 2022/23 Treble-winning season, especially during the UEFA Champions League winning run, and his absence was strongly felt last season as the squad struggled to find consistency.

With a full pre-season likely to be under his belt and fresh motivation brought by the arrival of assistant coach Pep Lijnders and Kolo Toure, the hope at Manchester City is that Stones can avoid further setbacks and return to his dominant best – especially in a year where the club are aiming to reclaim the Premier League crown.

As pre-season preparations continue, all eyes will be on whether John Stones starts in the Anglo Palermitan Trophy against Palermo on Saturday having not featured at all during the FIFA Club World Cup earlier this summer – a fixture that could offer early clues on Guardiola’s back-line for the campaign opener the following weekend.