Stones contemplates retirement as final City contract year looms

John Stones has revealed he briefly considered retiring last season as a string of foot and hamstring injuries severely limited his playing time, but the Manchester City and England defender said he has fought back and is determined to prove his fitness as he enters the final year of his Etihad contract. Stones, 31, made only 11 Premier League appearances in the 2024–25 season and did not play after February, but has started five times for City this season and has been recalled to the England squad for upcoming internationals against Wales and Latvia.

Stones said in a recent radio interview that last season was "tough" and that he reached a point "where I thought about stopping," describing the experience as mentally draining after repeated setbacks despite strict professionalism. He added that he has a "fight" and "winning mentality" that has driven his recovery and his decision to continue. He also said he had contemplated stepping back from international duty while struggling for fitness but felt compelled to remain part of the England setup when asked to rejoin training in the summer, calling that invitation "a no-brainer."

The defender's fitness has wider implications at...