Browsing: Stones

Manchester City and England defender John Stones has revealed he considered retiring from football last season after he was plagued with injuries.

Stones, 31, suffered repeated issues with his hamstring and foot last term that caused him to miss more than 30 games across all competitions.

It is those injuries that have meant that Stones has not played for England under Thomas Tuchel since the German manager began work in January, although he could make his return against either Wales or Latvia this month.

“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.”

John Stones dealt with lingering foot and hamstring injuries last season. Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images

He added: “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.”

Stones was held to just 11 appearances in the Premier League last season after previously being a constant fixture in Pep Guardiola’s backline, although he has returned to fitness this term.

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“My emotions were high. I wasn’t thinking straight. I don’t think deep down I would have ever done it [retired],” Stones continued.

“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.”

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Real Madrid weigh up a summer move for Ibrahima Konate, Manchester City set to open contract talks with John Stones and Aston Villa ponder bid for Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor.

Real Madrid are monitoring the contract situation of Liverpool and France defender Ibrahima Konate, 26, with a view to signing him as a free agent next summer when his current deal ends. (ESPN), external

England defender John Stones, 31, is set to open talks with Manchester City over a new contract with his current deal due to expire in the summer. (Mirror), external

Aston Villa are considering a bid for Sunderland’s 25-year-old French striker Wilson Isidor in January. (Football Insider), external

Crystal Palace expect Liverpool to return with a bid for England defender Marc Guehi, 25, in January after Italy centre-back Giovanni Leoni, 18, was ruled out for a year with injury. (TBR Football), external

Liverpool are also keeping tabs on Uruguay and Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, 26, as a centre-back option. (Caught Offside), external

Juventus want to sell Manchester United and Chelsea target Dusan Vlahovic, 25, in January rather than allowing the Serbia striker to leave for free next summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

Chelsea are looking at goalkeeping options as they plan to sell Spain stopper Robert Sanchez, 27, at the end of the season. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

England midfielder Morgan Rogers, 23, has opened talks with Aston Villa over a new contract amid interest from several Premier League clubs. (Football Insider), external

Nottingham Forest have issued a hands-off warning to Manchester United, Tottenham, Newcastle and Liverpool amid interest in 22-year-old England midfielder Elliot Anderson. (TBR Football), external

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