Pep Guardiola has emphasized the significance of John Stones' fitness by disclosing that he has 'never been so angry' as when the Manchester City defender sustained an injury during England's friendly against Belgium in the spring. Stones suffered a muscle issue just 10 minutes into the 2-2 draw at Wembley on March 26th, forcing his withdrawal. This occurred after he had played the entirety of the 1-0 loss to Brazil three days prior. The injury has significantly impacted Stones' availability, resulting in him making only three Premier League starts since. The 30-year-old highlighted his importance to City with a last-minute winner against Wolves on Sunday, following a late equalizer in September's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Guardiola seemed to place blame on Stones for the injury against Belgium. 'I know the players don't want to get injured, I always encourage them to go to the national team, it's a pleasure, but if it's a friendly game you cannot come back injured. I'm sorry,' he said. 'If you are focused, if it is a friendly game, you cannot come back injured when you are playing the quarter-finals of the Champions League [in April v Real Madrid], because they [players] put in a lot of work behind [the scenes].' He continued, 'They are the first to make a lot of work to arrive in the last stages of the season with a chance to win the titles. I know him and when he is fit he is ready. I need him. Otherwise, we cannot compete until the end. The most important thing is not training sessions, it is being fit. No injuries is the only reason why you can stay until the end of the season.'
Guardiola also suggested that then England manager, Gareth Southgate, was partly responsible for playing Stones, with Kyle Walker also suffering an issue against Brazil. 'Sometimes you have to respect the clubs,' Guardiola said. 'In friendly games you cannot be injured. You can play, absolutely, but you cannot come back injured.' He added, 'I was never so angry as that moment. Never ever before was I so disappointed. For a friendly game, two players coming back injured - no, no, no. I didn't like it, at all.'
City host Sparta Prague in their third Champions League game of the season on Wednesday. The fixture will be the sixth Rodri has missed since being ruled out for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Guardiola is pleased with how his side have responded to losing the influential midfielder, winning four and drawing one. 'More than happy. There are many things I like,' he said.
Guardiola indicated Kevin De Bruyne and Walker may be unavailable for some time while they recover from injuries.
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