John Stones has said that he has never considered leaving Manchester City.
The Englishman has the opportunity to win his and the club’s first Champions League title tomorrow when they take on Inter Milan.
In the build-up to this big showdown in Istanbul, the City star has shared some details on one of the lowest periods at the club that came about following a disappointment in the European competition.
Stones reflects on Lyon defeat
Speaking in a recent interview with The Telegraph, Stones said this about his time at City, particularly how it was after getting knocked out of the Champions League against Lyon back in 2020.
He said: “It was probably one of the hardest times of my career. It was a big learning curve for me and maybe [made me] who I am today.
No, I never thought about that [leaving City]. I think as soon as you accept that – or have that mindset – then you have killed yourself. So, no, I always wanted to stay. I have stayed – and I absolutely love it.
“I wanted to prove myself. I didn’t say to anyone: ‘It was because I want to prove to you [I can do it]’. In anything, I think you have to prove to yourself first and foremost that you deserve to be here, that you are good enough to be here and show what you bring to the team.
“Everyone is so unique at City and I feel that’s why we’ve been so successful.”
Back in 2020, Pep Guardiola admitted that Stones could have been moved out of the Manchester club having dropped down the pecking order.
Having since gone on to become a pivotal figure for the Citizens, particularly this season by playing across numerous positions in some of their biggest games of the campaign, it was undoubtedly a good decision from the club to keep hold of the 29-year-old.
Now that the England international has said how much he loves being at the club and had no intention of ever leaving, this highlights the determination and hard-working nature he has, which is presumably why he’s in the position he’s in now.
Moving forward, if Stones can help his side win the Champions League on Saturday, this would surely be his most significant moment at the club and prove why he was right to not consider leaving back in 2020.
