In 2024-25, Manchester City probably experienced their worst season in a decade. One of the English club's key players, long absent during this period, even considered definitively ending his career.
After 4 consecutive Premier League titles, Manchester City surrendered their crown to Liverpool. But beyond the disappointing sporting results, a scent of end of cycle long hung over the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola no longer seemed to have the solution and his game was no longer as attractive as before. The Spanish manager was clearly not helped by the mountain of injuries.
This season, Manchester City are doing slightly better, even if after 7 matchdays played, the Citizens are only in 7th place in the league, but only 3 points behind leaders Arsenal. Historic stalwart of the English club, John Stones has been playing fairly little since the start of the 2025-26 campaign (6 appearances), notably due to his unstable physical condition. Last season, he hesitated to retire.
John Stones considered premature retirement
“Last season was very difficult, to the point that I considered stopping. I was fed up with doing everything perfectly and getting injured without understanding why. When you are beyond reproach and it happens to you anyway, it is mentally exhausting. I have always had this fighting spirit, this winning mentality,” confided the English defender, in an interview for BBC 5 Live Sport.
Ultimately, John Stones chose to fight to return to the pitch. His resilience could be rewarded because negotiations have begun between his representatives and Manchester City for an extension of his contract which expires in June. The 31-year-old player is the longest-serving member of the Citizens squad. In the event of Bernardo Silva's departure during the next summer transfer window, he could inherit the captain's armband.
This article was originally published on Top Mercato.
