Man City star John Stones opens up on ‘most difficult moment of his career’

John Stones has revealed the summer of 2021 after Manchester City lost the Champions League final and England lost the European Championships was the most difficult moment of his career.

The Blues’ star man featured for both teams as City and the Three Lions both fell at the final hurdles. In May, Kai Havertz sunk Pep Guardiola’s side in Porto as Chelsea reached the pinnacle in Europe.

Less than two months later, a penalty shootout defeat to Italy denied England winning their first major trophy since 1966. When asked what it would mean to win the Euros in 2024, Stones admitted he still looks back at the summer of 2021 with bad memories.

Speaking to Jill Scott for Channel 4, he said: “It’d be incredible [to win Euro 2024]. I honestly think about the summer where we lost the Champions League final and then lost the Euro’s final and it was probably one of my most difficult moments in football.

“I think the most important thing now is qualifying because we have seen so many big teams that didn’t go to the World Cup after having strong campaigns in previous tournaments.” Stones starts for England tonight against North Macedonia as a central defender but he has been utilised as a midfielder for Guardiola in the historic Treble winning campaign.

Discussing his transition to midfield, Stones added: “I wouldn’t say it has been easy but after two or three games in there you know your roles and responsibilities. Then it’s about trying to express yourself and the manager just gets his words across to you and what he wants from you so well.

“It’s been a big learning curve for me 100 per cent but I’ve absolutely loved it as well.”