Manchester City defender John Stones has shared his thoughts on the challenges he has faced at the club this season.
Since Stones limped out of England’s friendly against Belgium in late March, having played in the goalless draw against Brazil just days earlier, he has started only two Premier League matches for Man City.
During this period, he has been an unused substitute in 10 games, did not make the squad for one, and has come off the bench in four.
To say that Pep Guardiola is using Stones sparingly would be an understatement.
The 30-year-old, who is set to earn his 82nd cap when England faces Greece at Wembley on Thursday night, finds himself in a situation where he starts more matches for his country than for his club.
However, Stones insists he has the maturity to handle a scenario that is not entirely new to him.
He said: “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.
“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.
“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.
He added: “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.”
Despite Guardiola’s frustrations, Stones insists that their relationship remains strong.
He said: “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.”
He concluded: “The honest truth is it doesn’t worry me.
“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.”
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