Manchester City are continuing their pursuit of Everton and England centre-back John Stones. Citizens boss Pep Guardiola has even admitted that his club is attempting to negotiate a deal with the Toffees for the former-Barnsley defender.
It’s claimed that the Merseyside want to keep the defender. However, the fans are of a different opinion with the majority of Everton fans taking to the forums to state that they want the defender to be sold.
Talk of a mooted £50million fee is likely to have made their minds up. The fact is John Stones has endured a difficult last year. Last summer he was denied a big money move to Chelsea. The 22-year-old did not sulk but ended up having a terrible campaign.
Stones is talked-up as this fantastic young England ball-playing centre-back. The next Rio Ferdinand. The problem for the youngster is that Ferdinand could defence. He may have stepped out of defence when the opportunity arose, but he could also defend.
Last season Everton’s defence was poor and at times Stones was a liability. The key is that he a defender first and he needs to know when to step out of defence. He also needs to learn when to kick the ball into row z.
Under Roberto Martinez, he was encouraged to step out of defence but was never given any defensive coaching judging by his performances on the pitch. His new boss at Everton Ronald Koeman would no doubt know how to get the best out of the youngster.
His prospective boss at City Guardiola is a top coach, so maybe able to work on his weaknesses and build on his strengths. At the moment John Stones is just potential and for all the talking up he needs to improve the defensive side of his game immensely if he is to ever become a top player.