Manchester City defender John Stones has admitted he can get frustrated with his lack of playing time after starting just two Premier League matches since the end of March.
With ten games as an unused substitute, one missed squad and four appearances off the bench, it’s quite clear that manager Pep Guardiola’s current utilisation of Stones is more than just a phase of sporadic minutes. The 30-year-old defender finds himself in a peculiar era, starting more frequently for his country than his club.
Yet, Stones remains composed about his situation, claiming maturity helps him navigate these periods of uncertainty. His words reflect a measured response to his fluctuating game time.
“I’ve been in this position before, where you are in and out and don’t really get a run of games, but you still know how important you are and you know not to get frustrated and to be there for the team,” he said. “That’s what I’ve done and I’ve had a positive effect from the bench and when I have started as well.
“I’m in a positive mindset and I think that is really important because at times like these, more inexperienced players can maybe get frustrated and that has a bad effect when called upon. It means you’re not ready, you’re not in that positive frame of mind.
“It’s always frustrating when you want to play and I am always going to say I wish I could start every game but it is a long season and there are a lot of important games coming up”, reports the Mirror. Stones opened up about balancing club and country commitments, adding: “It’s something I’ve learnt over the years… to put my personal problems or feelings to one side and be there for the team.”
Recounting an injury during a friendly with Belgium, Stones shared thoughts on his manager’s reaction to players getting hurt while on international duty. He said: “You know straight away if he’s not very happy at players getting injured while not on his watch, which is understandable.
“As players, we want to play every game, especially with England, considering how much that means to me as a player. But it’s also about managing minutes and fixtures, all kinds of different things.
“I totally understand. He’s more frustrated than I was.
“There is a lot of weight and pressure, from a lot of places, especially when you go away from your club then go back injured. You know how upset and angry and frustrated people there will be, because they need you.”
But whatever Guardiola’s frustrations might be, Stones insists their relationship is still fine, concluding: “I have been with Pep for nine seasons now and he knows all my qualities, all my weaknesses, and it is not about trying to impress him or prove anything to him.
“It is just about keeping my consistency and standards up. The honest truth is it doesn’t worry me (playing less matches).
“If I cannot control it I don’t give it the headspace or attention. That might seem a bit wrong but that is how I deal with it.
“At the end of the day, it is out of my hands and I put a lot of trust in the club.”
