John Stones on his future, Man City’s ‘humbling’ season, new signings and more | OneFootball

Manchester City and England defender John Stones has hit out at “laughable” speculation on his future as he looks ahead to the new season.

The centre-back has not featured in a match since February, but he is taking part in full pre-season training with the team.

“I’m good. Back to full fitness, feel great,” Stones said of his fitness. “I have been for a few months now, so I’m feeling good.”

The England international’s repeated injury struggles have left him sidelined for lengthy periods in recent years. These issues have led to suggestions that his future may lie away from the Etihad Stadium.

Stones insisted: “I get told this, I don’t see a thing. It’s laughable to me but I understand why people do it, and there’s nothing to comment on.

“I love it here, nothing’s happening. I’m here to fight and play, and hopefully win some trophies.”

City finished last season without a trophy for just the second time in the last decade. It was a disappointing campaign for Pep Guardiola’s men, who at one point went on a run of just one win in 13 games. Stones admitted: “It was humbling for us after all the success we’ve had.

“It makes us realise what we’ve done, what we’ve achieved over the years, how proud we should be, and obviously frustrated at what we did last season.

“It’s not what we want to replicate. To finish third isn’t good enough for us, and how we played.

“We’ve got to put that right, get back to our identity, back to winning matches, having that presence about us and believing in ourselves as a team. I’m sure we’ll find that and bring it back.

“It was tough last season, to go through what we did. We’ve definitely come back with that fire in our bellies to go and achieve.”

Guardiola’s side have made a number of new signings as they look to rejuvenate an aging side, with the hope that they can rectify their form of the past and return to the top of English football once again.

“Things evolve, football evolves, and the guys that have come in have been great,” Stones commented. “It takes a bit of time to obviously get used to the style of play, what’s expected and what’s asked of them, but the guys have come in for a reason.

“The quality they’ve got, those aspects of the game are different from what we’ve had in the past.

“I’m excited to play with them and see what they do.”

There have also been new recruits brought in to strengthen City’s coaching staff. Jurgen Klopp’s former assistant Pep Lijnders has now joined the Citizens, alongside former player Kolo Toure.

Asked if we should expect a new playing style with these coaches’ influence, Stones answered: “I don’t think so no. I think it’s too hard to drastically change your identity and what we’ve cemented over the years.

“But obviously there’s fine tweaks and fresh faces. Pep Lijnders and Kolo Toure have been incredible. Brought a new energy to us, a new aspect, and a new angle of looking at things.

“I think it’s all positive. It’s going to help us in the long run, they’re as enthusiastic for it as we are as players.”