Everyone's been through them: John Stones opens up about 'dark days'

The centre-back is currently recovering from an injury.

John Stones has talked about his “lonely dark days,” when he wondered if he still had a place in football.

The 31-year-old defender for Manchester City, John Stones, is still juggling his minutes and recuperation in the FIFA Club World Cup after missing a significant portion of the previous season, including the final three months of the campaign, due to injury.

Although John Stones is not anticipated to start games in the US, he is improving his fitness and training well. He is likely to be prepared for the Premier League season opener in August.

Despite winning numerous trophies at the Etihad, John Stones, one of England’s best defenders, has recently been beset by injuries. This has been a recurring theme amidst Stones’ poor luck.

John Stones claims to be in “excellent shape” today. But he also talked about how frustrating last season was and how difficult it is to overcome mental obstacles after acknowledging that he was plagued with self-doubt.

John Stones reveals the darkest days in his career when injuries marred his game time

England centre half Stones said:

”There’s been points where you think you’ve been giving all this effort, you dedicate all your life, especially how I approach or go about my life, and football, I give everything, on and off the pitch to be here or be ready to play games and those are the dark days.”

“I think everyone’s been through them and think, ‘why is this happening?’ You wish it would have gone on a different path, but like I said, it’s self-doubt, there’s a lot of things All of us have been through different upbringings and challenges through life and what did we do within those situations, was it to fight or was it to give up?

“I was always a fighter from a young age, in difficult moments, you have to look at the bigger picture and realise what are your morals, what you believe in, and fight to make it worthwhile.”

“I think we all self-doubt as players and feel things and we want to get back as quick as possible, maybe that’s a downfall sometimes that you try and push too soon. What helps me? Definitely family, I think that’s my biggest thing, being around them and having their support.”

Stones helped England reach the final of Euro 2024, where they lost to Spain 2-1. This time, the largest and longest injury problem was a thigh ailment for Stones as he continues to recover from it. Expect him to be ready before the start of the new season.

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