Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his immense frustration over defender John Stones suffering an injury while on international duty with England. The Spanish tactician revealed he has “never been so angry” as when the 30-year-old center-back was forced off just 10 minutes into a friendly match against Belgium in March.
Guardiola Fumes Over Stones’ Injury
Speaking candidly about the incident, Guardiola pulled no punches in conveying his disappointment. “I know the players don’t want to get injured, I always encourage them to go to the national team, it’s a pleasure, but if it’s a friendly game you cannot come back injured. I’m sorry,” the City boss lamented.
The injury occurred after Stones had played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Brazil just three days prior. The muscular issue has plagued the defender since, limiting him to only three Premier League starts in the following months.
Stones’ Importance Underlined
Guardiola’s frustration stems from the critical role Stones plays in the Manchester City squad. The Englishman’s importance was recently highlighted by his dramatic late winners against Wolves and Arsenal. “I need him. Otherwise, we cannot compete until the end,” Guardiola stressed.
If you are focused, if it is a friendly game, you cannot come back injured when you are playing the quarter-finals of the Champions League, because they [players] put in a lot of work behind [the scenes].
— Pep Guardiola on John Stones’ injury
Southgate Also Culpable?
The City manager also hinted that then England boss Gareth Southgate was partly to blame for playing Stones, especially considering Kyle Walker also picked up a knock against Brazil. “Sometimes you have to respect the clubs,” Guardiola added. “In friendly games you cannot be injured. You can play, absolutely, but you cannot come back injured.”
City Coping Without Rodri
Despite the setback with Stones, Guardiola expressed satisfaction with how his team has responded to the season-ending ACL injury suffered by influential midfielder Rodri. City have won four and drawn one of the six matches played in the Spaniard’s absence. “More than happy. There are many things I like,” the manager commented.
Injury Updates on De Bruyne and Walker
Looking ahead to Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Sparta Prague, Guardiola suggested star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and the versatile Walker may require more time to recover from their respective injury issues before returning to action.
As the domestic and European campaigns reach a critical juncture, Manchester City will be desperately hoping John Stones can regain full fitness and showcase the form that makes him such a vital cog in Pep Guardiola’s winning machine. The manager’s recent comments only serve to emphasize just how highly he values the England international.
