John Stones

[Tubey]

I have seen one before now mate, this guy, not bad company to be in like, look at the run from 35 secs in and tell me who it reminds you of?

Massive Nesta fan here, but he only began to assert himself in the way Stones has around the age of 21, when he began the domineering runs and controlling the back line and to an extent the midfield as Lazio's attacking flair was allowed to go because of just how good he was.

Stones is 19!

 

[bizzaro]

Can you name a better centre-half under the age of, say, 22 in world football? I can only think of one in Varane.

I've never seen an English player do what Stones does and run with it past the half way line and set the play up from the back.

He's the new breed of footy player John Stones. Or one we wish we had all over the pitch.

I watch him do that and consider his age and it blows my mind.

In conjunction with 60 grand Seamus Coleman.


Fact is Martinez wanted him at Wigan. No wonder Martinez wanted to come here. A lot of the players he would have wanted are already here.

Martinez has the platform to do some amazing things with our squad if he can build on that this summer.

 

[bluestevon]

Massive Nesta fan here, but he only began to assert himself in the way Stones has around the age of 21, when he began the domineering runs and controlling the back line and to an extent the midfield as Lazio's attacking flair was allowed to go because of just how good he was.

Stones is 19!

Aye theirs a train of thought that Nesta was actually held back a bit due to the Gascoigne incident knocking his confidence, but to be starting for Lazio at 18-19, captaining them at 21 and being captain of the under 21's winning the euros was the nearest i can get to stones level of confidence.

One of the best centre half's I ever saw play and honestly never thought I'd be comparing a young lad playing for us with him in my lifetime

 

[toffeejack]

Basically do what the Germans did 4 years ago. I fully agree.

exactly, obviously they won't be beating teams like argie 4-0, but stones and caulker will be the centre back pairing for years - may as well get it out of the way. okay, suppose that wouldn't be fair on people like baines, jagielka and cahill who have been waiting for years to rightfully get their chance to start in a tourney and be robbed of it. not going to happen anyway.

 

[Millea]

I love watching this lad play. Doesn't seem phased by anything and he's such a calm head.

Special player him.

 

[hktoffee]

Needs to be tied down long term pronto, the forked tongues of the agents and players of the Sky teams will be whispering in his ear once he makes the England squad.

Correct but he had signed a contract till summer 2018 last January. Not urgent cases like Mirallas and Barkley.

 

[toffeejack]

Massive Nesta fan here, but he only began to assert himself in the way Stones has around the age of 21, when he began the domineering runs and controlling the back line and to an extent the midfield as Lazio's attacking flair was allowed to go because of just how good he was.

Stones is 19!

haha. unfair saying only because you're comparing him to stones haha.

i think caulker is fairly similar, and provides a goal threat as well, is aerially dominating, but also very comfortable on the ball, wasted at cardiff that lad. not sure he brings it out as much as stones, but cardiff are a bit long ball orientated, was a bit different at swansea.

 

[Jags..class]

Would love us to sign Caulker to partner Stones.

 

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Correct but he had signed a contract till summer 2018 last January. Not urgent cases like Mirallas and Barkley.

True but as Roberto has said, players need rewarding if their performances warrant it. Keep them happy, motivated and less likely to have their heads turned.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Lads, sorry but he is not quite ready defensively.

Aye, those clearances against Sunderland were horrific. I'll all for ball-playing CBs, but let's have someone with a natural sense of defense like.

 

[SerenityNigh]

No, but he's streets ahead in other areas, which sort of evens out into them all being about the same level. He's certainly not out of his depth in out first 11.

Out of his depth? A bit too soft with the compliments. Maybe I'm drinking the kool-aid, but anyone name me 3 English sides he would not start for.

 

[Bluesnapper]

In case you missed it we've already nicknamed him the Barnsley Beckenbauer here

Nah I not having that, Franz Stones or Ruud Stones is a yes from me.

Ruud Krol, Ajax and Holland.

 

[Millea]

Hardly gave Rooney a sniff yesterday as well. When he was called on to defend, he done it brilliantly. Oozes class he does.

 

[danausi]

You know nothing John Stones.

 

[Eggs]

Basically do what the Germans did 4 years ago. I fully agree.

....this approach would be sensible, but Hodgson will probably not be in charge in 2018 and wont be preparing for his successor.