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John Stones: Manchester City determined to silence critics after season that was 'not good enough'

John Stones insists Manchester City have the “fire in our bellies” to regain their Premier League title this season.

City surrendered the crown they won in the previous four years to Liverpool during a bitterly disappointing 2024-25 campaign.

Defender Stones, who struggled for fitness for long spells, believes lessons have been learnt and has detected a strong desire to put things right since the players returned for pre-season training.

The England international said: “It was humbling for us after all the success that we’ve had.

“It makes us realise what we’ve done, what we’ve achieved over the years and how proud we should be, but we’re obviously frustrated at what we did last season. It’s not what we want to replicate.

“To finish third, three or four points behind Arsenal is – to our standards – not good, (nor) how we played through the season.

“We’ve got to put that right and get back to our identity, get back to winning matches and having that presence about us and believing in ourselves as a team.

“I’m sure we’ll find that and bring it back because it was tough last season to go through what we did. We’ve definitely come back with that fire in our bellies to go and achieve.”

Stones is now fit again after an injury-plagued past season but was not risked by manager Pep Guardiola during the Club World Cup in the summer. City started well but were then dumped out of the competition in shocking fashion by Saudi Pro League Al Hilal.

Despite not featuring, the 31-year-old made emphatically clear when speaking to media during that tournament that he would not be leaving the club.

Entering the final year of his contract, there had been speculation about his future but the former Everton player hopes that has now been shut down.

He said: “It’s laughable to me. I understand why people do it but there’s nothing to comment on.

“I love it here, nothing’s happening. I’m here to fight and play and hopefully win some trophies.”

Stones was speaking as City held an open training session alongside the club’s women’s side with the new Premier League season edging ever closer.

City now have a friendly at Palermo on Saturday before facing Wolves in their opening Premier League game at Molineux on August 16.

The side is taking on a different shape with new signings Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders having been integrated during the Club World Cup, in which City reached the last 16.

Their arrivals continued a squad refresh after the signings of Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis in January.

Stones said: “Things evolve, football evolves, and the guys that have come in have been great.

“It takes a bit of time, obviously, to get used to the style of play, what’s expected, but the guys have come in for a reason.

“With the quality that they’ve got, the aspects of the game are different from what we’ve had in the past. I’m excited to play with them and see what they do.”

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Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail

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While you're here

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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?

Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032

Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905

Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560

Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728

Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488

The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170

Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

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Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.