John Stones has revealed the truth behind his fitness and injury concerns during his final season as a Manchester City player, stating he was 'fit, pretty much all season'.
The 32-year-old central defender made just 18 appearances across all competitions in the 2025/26 campaign.
## What has John Stones said about last season?
John Stones admitted he wanted to play more for Manchester City, but understood the difficulties of selecting a starting 11.
He said he has been 'fit, pretty much all season', raising questions about why he was not used more by manager Pep Guardiola.
The England international centre-back is now set to play a key role in the FIFA World Cup in the United States.
## Why was Stones limited to action from the bench?
Stones fell victim to a tactical decision by Pep Guardiola, who preferred the physical profiles of Marc Guéhi and Abdukodir Khusanov during the final season run-in.
This decision possibly accelerated both the club and Stones' decision to seek a fresh challenge as a free agent this summer.
John Stones started in the recent 3-0 warm-up victory over Costa Rica, and reports suggest he may be installed frequently throughout the North American competition by England manager Thomas Tuchel.
The veteran defender is primed to anchor the England national team's defence, having been restricted to limited club minutes in the 2025/26 campaign.
Manchester City have already begun planning for a post-Stones reality, finalising a January deal for Marc Guéhi and negotiating a contract extension until 2031 for Josko Gvardiol.
Sporting Director Hugo Viana has also established a shortlist of options to bolster the right-back position, including Atalanta's Marco Palestra.
John Stones' departure from Manchester City marks the end of a legendary decade-long stay at the club.
He is now focused on the FIFA World Cup, where he will look to help England achieve success.
The tournament will be a key test for Stones, who will be looking to prove his fitness and form on the international stage.