Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Football, England, John Stones, Thomas Tuchel, Premier League, Manchester City
Ben McCrum
Topics: Football, England, John Stones, Thomas Tuchel, Premier League, Manchester City
A top England player has revealed that he came close to a surprise early retirement last season.
On Thursday evening, Thomas Tuchel's England will face off against Wales in a friendly match ahead of their world cup qualifier clash with Latvia next week.
Ahead of the games, much has been made of the squad named by Tuchel, with fans pointing out the absence of several key players like Jack Grealish, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Adam Wharton.
Chelsea captain Reece James was named in Tuchel's squad for the upcoming matches but was forced to withdraw due to an injury suffered during the Premier League win against Liverpool on Saturday, with Nico O'Reilly taking his place in the squad.
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And now one other key England player has spoken out about how he nearly missed out on being a part of Tuchel's England as he considered an early retirement last year.
England and Manchester City defender John Stones made just 11 Premier League appearances last season due to foot and hamstring issues.
Despite featuring in Tuchel's first England squad, the centre-back is yet to player under the new England boss, with his last international cap coming a year ago in October 2024.
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The lack of game time and regular injury setbacks eventually got to the point that has admitted that he even considered retiring early at the age of 31 years old.
"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."
"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."
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"My emotions were high. I wasn't thinking straight. I don't think deep down I would’ve ever done it [retired last season].
So far this season Stones has made five appearances for City, with Pep Guardiola instead opting for a centre-back pairing of Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.
However, it is expected that he could be involved for Tuchel in the coming games.