Manchester City and England defender John Stones has revealed he considered retiring from football last season after he was plagued with injuries.

Stones, 31, suffered repeated issues with his hamstring and foot last term that caused him to miss more than 30 games across all competitions.

It is those injuries that have meant that Stones has not played for England under Thomas Tuchel since the German manager began work in January, although he could make his return against either Wales or Latvia this month.

“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.”

He added: “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.

“When that time comes and something happens, it would be easier to say ‘well I didn’t do X, Y and Z that’s why’ — but when you do it, it’s then mentally challenging. Hopefully I don’t go back to that place.”

Stones was held to just 11 appearances in the Premier League last season after previously being a constant fixture in Pep Guardiola’s backline, although he has returned to fitness this term.

– Gordon: ‘Paranoid’ to get in England’s WC squad
– Kane plays down Prem return, ‘all in’ with Bayern
– Tuchel: Later WC kick-off times better due to heat

“My emotions were high. I wasn’t thinking straight. I don’t think deep down I would have ever done it [retired],” Stones continued.

“I said years ago when City wanted me to have a new challenge, I said ‘I am going to fight’. That’s all I have known since I was a kid — why should I stop that now?

“So yes, there is that fight in me and that winning mentality that doesn’t want to stop.”

Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi is on the radar of Barcelona ahead of next season, while Bayern Munich are plotting to usurp Liverpool in the race to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s grades | Women’s grades

TOP STORIES

– Guardiola warns Rodri could take time to regain best level
– Busquets plans coaching career, after a sabbatical
– Bournemouth’s Kluivert hails ‘world class’ Semenyo

TRENDING RUMORS

– Barcelona are admirers of Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi, says Sky Switzerland. Adeyemi, 23, could emerge as a concrete target next summer, as he will be entering the final year of his current deal, and Barca are keeping tabs on his development in the Bundesliga. The Germany international has had a solid start to the new season, with three goal involvements from his first six league games and could replace 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski long term.

– Bayern Munich are looking at a deal to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi, according to Sky Germany. Initial talks with the player’s representatives have already taken place, as the Bundesliga champions eye a free transfer in 2026 amid competition from Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid. But Bayern’s pursuit of Guéhi could hinge upon the futures of Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-Jae, both of whom may leave the club next summer.

– Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is still looking for an exit and could move to Napoli on loan, according to Sky Switzerland. Mainoo, 20, is still highly rated after making the breakthrough into the United first team a few years ago, but his career has nosedived under new manager Ruben Amorim and his contract expires in 2027. The England international could head out on loan in January for more game time, and a move to Napoli would see him link up with former United midfielder Scott McTominay, who has thrived in Italy.

– Crystal Palace are planning to offer midfielder Adam Wharton an improved contract with a release clause to ward off interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid, The Daily Mail reports. The 21-year-old is also being tracked by the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, following an impressive start to the season with Palace, and his club would want a fee upwards of £75 million given his contract expires in June 2029.

– Real Madrid are keen to retain midfielder Arda Güler in January, despite strong interest from Newcastle United and Arsenal, says Football Insider. Having become an important member of Xabi Alonso’s Los Blancos squad this season — with three goals in LaLiga already — a move to the Premier League is off the table for the 20-year-old Turkey international.

EXPERT TAKE

play

Moreno: Mo Salah could be dropped for Liverpool

Alejandro Moreno discusses the possibility of Mo Salah being dropped from Liverpool’s starting XI.

OTHER RUMORS

– Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane says “the desire to return to the Premier League has faded a little” when asked about a move back to Tottenham. (Guardian)

– Everton and West Ham are monitoring Joshua Zirkzee‘s situation at Manchester United, as the forward has dropped down the pecking order. (TEAMtalk)

– Barcelona and Juventus will battle to sign Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, 31, on a free transfer in the summer, despite competition from Saudi Arabian clubs Al Ahli, Al Qadsiah and Al Nassr. (Caught Offside)

– Jobe Bellingham could leave Borussia Dortmund in January if he continues to be sidelined by head coach Niko Kovać. (Sky Switzerland)

– Dortmund and RB Leipzig are “keeping a close eye” on Tottenham defender Luka Vušković, 18, who is currently on loan at Hamburger SV. (TEAMtalk)

– Internazionale are exploring a deal to sign Noah Atubolu next summer. Talks have already taken place with the Freiburg goalkeeper, who is under contract until 2027. (Sky Germany)

– Inter are also monitoring Sassuolo center back Tarik Muharemović. (Nicolo Schira)

– And are planning on triggering a clause that would see the club sign Manchester City loanee Manuel Akanji permanently for around €15 million. (Nicolo Schira)

– Eintracht Frankfurt are looking to loan Newcastle striker William Osula, 22, when the transfer window re-opens. (Sky Sports)

– Frankfurt are demanding a fee of around €80 million from any club interested in signing Can Uzun. Some Premier League clubs have already expressed an interest in the 19-year-old midfielder. (Sky Germany)

– Belgian side Gent are one of several clubs monitoring Inter Miami center back Ian Fray, who is in talks over a new contract. (Rudy Galetti)

– Napoli are keeping an eye on Brentford full back Michael Kayode following his impressive Premier League form. (SpazioNapoli)

– Cádiz have agreed a deal to sign 22-year-old midfielder Hussein Carneil on a free transfer after his exit from Göteborg was confirmed. (Fabrizio Romano)

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman was benched for the first offensive series of Sunday night’s loss to the New England Patriots for “discipline,” coach Sean McDermott said Monday.

Coleman sat out the six-play drive that ended with a fumble on a botched handoff from quarterback Josh Allen intended for tight end Dawson Knox. He started the previous four games this season.

McDermott said during his Monday news conference that the incident stemmed from something that happened during the week leading up to the game but did not get into the specifics.

Coleman, a 2024 second-round pick, was also benched for the first quarter of a Week 3 game last season against the Jacksonville Jaguars after being late for a meeting.

McDermott was asked whether there was disappointment that another issue created the need for Sunday’s benching, to which he said: “Yes.”

Coleman, 22, was on the field for the first play of the second offensive series and finished with 42 snaps (62%), catching four of his seven targets for 23 yards and a touchdown. He also had a fumble that resulted in the Patriots getting the ball at the Buffalo 11-yard line.

“We expect more, and he has shown growth this year. He has,” McDermott said. “We’re looking for more consistency.”

When asked if that means consistency in a specific area, McDermott said: “Growth, maturation. That leads to consistency more than anything, and like anything else, you have winning habits, it leads to winning on the field. And so, that’s really what we’re trying to create, and that’s what we’re here to do is help young men in this case grow and mature and develop and become professionals, and that’s part of the process.”

Offensive coordinator Joe Brady said Monday that Coleman can be more consistent by being where he is supposed to be.

“When he’s there doing his job, doing his 1/11th and just being accountable to the 10 other guys in the huddle with him at any given moment,” Brady said. “You see the growth, you see the plays that he has out there, but it just needs to be the consistent level.”