If a club gives us £30m+ for him after this season (a) they're stupid (b) I'd sell (though see the Lukaku thread for why we don't need the money but anyway). Shocking season. We, and England, need someone who can head it away/ defend before we need someone who can play it out from the back.
Was always perplexed by the hype tbh. Slightly above average defender who's half decent with the ball at his feet. Players at clubs like Everton, Southampton etc, seem to attract praise their league position and performance don't merit.
He might be super in the future. He is unique in that he can play well with the ball at his feet. But we need defenders who can defend and he's obsessed with doing the above rather than defending. He should be nowhere near the England team. Our league position is ridiculous given our excellent team man for man, but Stones isn't one of them. The reason we're not up in the top 4 or top 6 is Martinez and stupidity.
I agree, he's getting a lot of stick for a 21 year old, it's not his fault ludicrous transfer fees have been bandied about. He's obviously a 'footballing' defender, but valuing him at £50 million is absurd.
England has never really had defenders like him who can pass the ball out, in fact most top defenders worldwide don't need that sort of ability, but it's certainly a plus. I think next year, his career will be at a crossroads - he needs to move away from Martinez who clearly cannot defend and will be filling his head with 'tika taka' nonsense. If he was to go to someone like Mourinho and keep the passing, yet cut out the silly mistakes then the hype would be justified. Until then he's on the long list of English potential.
No he's not. Brighton have two young English CB's who are comfortable with the ball at their feet. I expect both of them to be in the Premier League in 18 months. Not saying they have anywhere near enough ability or potential as Stones. But two potential England CB's (especially Goldson) does kinda take away the whole "unique" thing.
I follow Everton as much as i follow gers now. We should have bitten the hand from Chelsea for Stone at the beginning of the Season, the money that Chelsea was throwing around it has surely went to his head. He is a fantastic defender, and he has the potential to be one of the top defenders in the country. He had a quality season last season, and not to good this season as it's been hampered with injuries but he has still done pretty well.
He hasn't. He didn't have a quality season last season. He showed glimpses. This season has been terrible.
No player is worth 50 million. We are talking about a 21 year old here, he isn't the typical no nonsense centre back ...never will be! He is well capable of being in a slightly more advanced position......he can pick a pass and take on players, from the first game I saw him at Barnsley I could see this kid was special.....he was playing out of position at left back at the time, and was making seasoned pros look daft. He has more talent in his left bollock than the likes of Chris Smalling or Cahill but they are more like the traditional centre backs. It needs somebody to find his best position....a better man than me....I'm no football coach but I can see that he is wasted as a last line stopper in the middle.....he has been learnt to play football not hoof it clear.....he will always have that in him.....maybe he would be better in another top league? Sell him please....we need the sell on money....you still have Mason Holgate.....he's gonna be another goodun!
