JOHN STONES used the break from football to work out where it has all gone wrong for him.
The £47.5million England defender lost his place at Manchester City as they swept to the domestic treble last year.
John Stones joined Manchester City from Everton in 2016
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And this season he has struggled with fitness and injury.
The 25-year-old has made just 14 starts for Pep Guardiola’s side this season.
So Stones hit the gym in lockdown and confessed it was an ‘eye opener’.
Stones said: “This season’s been frustrating for me injury-wise.
“As soon as we stopped I went into the gym and didn’t stop. Two months in, I feel brilliant.
“You can get wrapped up in it when you’re playing and think, ‘I feel fit’ — but you’ve not done the work to sustain it.
“Taking that step back I realised I’ve got to do more for my team-mates and for my own career to make sure I’m selected to play.”
Stones, 25, also had a torrid time in the Nations League finals last June.
He told ‘Micah Phones’ on the England Twitter feed: “I’ve to try and let that negative press motivate me to come back better and stronger.”
John Stones has made 14 starts for City this season
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk