In a recent interview, Pep Guardiola expressed his strong feelings regarding player commitment to their clubs, particularly in light of an injury sustained by John Stones during a friendly match for England against Belgium earlier this year. Guardiola revealed that he has “never been so angry” as when he learned of Stones’ injury.
He elaborated, “If it’s a friendly game, you cannot come back injured. I’m sorry, but you have to be focused. In a friendly, there’s simply no excuse for coming back hurt, especially when you’re preparing for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.” His comments highlight the significant value he places on player availability and the implications of injuries during international duty.