John Stones

[Titus Bramble]

So we've won 3 games in a row without him, therefore we should sell him? What?

Unlike Barkley I think Stones has genuine quality and will, in all probability, go on to realise it. That said whether Everton is the right place for one of the world's great flair defenders is another question. Transfer prices are going up all the time so quoting figures is a little pointless but if we could sell Stones and get:

- a top class keeper
- a replacement top class defender

and then a few million on top for Martinez to pick up a rough diamond or two then I'd sell.

In theory we'd all like the best players to be at our club - but there has to be a bit of common sense at play.

And don't even get me started on this ffs

 

[Caolam]

Stones is a class act. He is a young man who has been in the centre of a media storm for months. He needed the step back, irrespective of your thoughts on Martinez as a manager, taking Stones out of the team for whatever reason will prove to be a master stroke. A couple more weeks on the sideline will do him no harm. I believe he will come back and fulfil his potential, I just hope it is at Everton.

 

[bicycleheader]

Wrong threat for Barkley so I'll answer in the context of why I think Stones is at a higher level.

Rightly or wrongly I think Stones has both the brains and the desire to make it to the top international level in the game.

i dont think international is the top level of the game anymore, and hasnt been for some time. the top level is all concentrated around the later stages of the champions league, whether we like it or not.

 

[Hangleton]

I'm still not convinced that Stones OR Howard are currently injured to be honest. They are both very fit and rarely miss games.

I think they've both been taken out of the firing line for a while.

I suspect you could be right.
Especially in Howard's case.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Unfair to judge Stones with Howard behind him. He's played brilliantly enough times for us to show that he is a great defender. Agreed that a bit of time out the team might benefit him though.

 

[bicycleheader]

No player leaving is the end of the world. Including Barkley. The club will still exist the next day and we will still be fans. Thats the not the point at the moment, nor is the complete speculation as to whether Stones genuinely wanted to leave and was not just badly advised, has a big ego and only cares about looking good and doesnt want to do the basics (LOL) or currently doesn't care and will be gone in the summer.

You haven't got a bloody clue about the above.

I swear we should keep a handy guide to each players performance after each game because people just remember what they want to and when the big story is all about Stones and then he is out of the team injured the history gets revised. He has had plenty of very good performances, including in games where people probably now only remember some error.

I would not sell this potential world great for 100M. He is a very good footballer who could be amazing and I am only interested in seeing the best players in an Everton shirt. The money made means nothing to me.

Bringing Stones in next week would be a very normal managerial decision despite people doing the usual crap of declaring it would be "disgraceful" or any other sort of overthetoppery. Funes Mori has played way more games than I imagine would have been expected of him and has done very well. IMO Funes Mori himself would consider it ok if the CBs got rotated again.

 

[Charlie Sweet]

i dont think international is the top level of the game anymore, and hasnt been for some time. the top level is all concentrated around the later stages of the champions league, whether we like it or not.

Sorry mate I meant in terms of comparing him to other internationals across the globe. I accept that the Champs League is above international games in terms of average quality. I meant more a simplistic "looking far and wide beyond the Premier League"

 

[EFC78]

Unlike Barkley I think Stones has genuine quality and will, in all probability, go on to realise it. That said whether Everton is the right place for one of the world's great flair defenders is another question. Transfer prices are going up all the time so quoting figures is a little pointless but if we could sell Stones and get:

- a top class keeper
- a replacement top class defender

and then a few million on top for Martinez to pick up a rough diamond or two then I'd sell.

In theory we'd all like the best players to be at our club - but there has to be a bit of common sense at play.

But unlike Barkley, Stones hasn't matured enough yet to cut out the silly mistakes that cost the team.

I'm afraid that is why Stones is not currently at the level Barkley is because he hasn't worked hard enough to eliminate silly decisions.

I do think all the Chelsea talk went to his head though and I just hope in the summer he either leaves for a big fee so we can move on, or knuckles down and works hard to keep improving. I'd prefer he stayed though and we kept 4 of the best talents in European Football in Lukaku, Stones, Barkley and Deulofeu.

With the right mentality and nurturing from Martinez, Stones could go on to be one of the worlds best defenders, but he's no where near that level yet.

 

[bicycleheader]

Sorry mate I meant in terms of comparing him to other internationals across the globe. I accept that the Champs League is above international games in terms of average quality. I meant more a simplistic "looking far and wide beyond the Premier League"

ah ok.

Judging by the press here in Spain, he already has a very very big profile.

 

[Charlie Sweet]

But unlike Barkley, Stones hasn't matured enough yet to cut out the silly mistakes that cost the team.

I'm afraid that is why Stones is not currently at the level Barkley is because he hasn't worked hard enough to eliminate silly decisions.

I do think all the Chelsea talk went to his head though and I just hope in the summer he either leaves for a big fee so we can move on, or knuckles down and works hard to keep improving. I'd prefer he stayed though and we kept 4 of the best talents in European Football in Lukaku, Stones, Barkley and Deulofeu.

With the right mentality and nurturing from Martinez, Stones could go on to be one of the worlds best defenders, but he's no where near that level yet.

Serious? Stones has made the odd mistake (one or two) that have led directly to a goal but in the same instance I'd be blaming Howard as much (eg that back pass). By comparison Barkley is still making sill mistakes all the time.

Difference of opinion clearly but I do think Stones is already top class whereas Barkley has some way to go.

 

[Milk]

ah ok.

Judging by the press here in Spain, he already has a very very big profile.

Which points to a move to Barca or RM in the summer. I wouldn't be surprised if a deal to join Barca isn't already in place otherwise why would Pique have put him in to his (Pique's) World X1 recently?

 

[Khalekan]

Unfair to judge Stones with Howard behind him. He's played brilliantly enough times for us to show that he is a great defender. Agreed that a bit of time out the team might benefit him though.

Playing in front of Howard hasn't stopped Funes Mori bring a revelation and looking like one of the buys of the season, Dom.

I think the truth of the matter is John is a good player but not nearly as as good as the hype suggests.

And it is starting to show and both the press and the public are starting to realise this.

IMO John Stones would be best advised to stay where he is and develop his game at an Everton team which I firmly believe is going places.

Stones and Funes Mori could forge a great partnership at Goodison over the next half a decade.

 

[bicycleheader]

Which points to a move to Barca or RM in the summer. I wouldn't be surprised if a deal to join Barca isn't already in place otherwise why would Pique have put him in to his (Pique's) World X1 recently?

Ive said many times I dont want him to go at all, but if he has to go it would be amazing I would get to watch him live every couple of weeks at Barca. Something I can't do while he is at the mighty blues unfortunately.

 

[EFC78]

Serious? Stones has made the odd mistake (one or two) that have led directly to a goal but in the same instance I'd be blaming Howard as much (eg that back pass). By comparison Barkley is still making sill mistakes all the time.

Difference of opinion clearly but I do think Stones is already top class whereas Barkley has some way to go.

You clearly have an issue with Barkley so I think your views on the subject are blinkered. I can't say you're wrong as it's your opinion, but I don't know how you could have watched us play this season and draw the conclusions you have.

Barkley has been one of the most influential players in the whole league. He could be in with a shout for the team of the season. Stones wouldn't even get in the Everton team of the season as Jagielka and Mori have been better than him.

What silly mistakes has Barkley made then? Are they the ones where he breezes past 3 players runs with it for 20 yards and then gives the ball away? There was a chance yesterday where he dispossed a Stoke player on the edge of our box, ran with the ball up the field, played a one two with Lukaku and smashed it wide with his left foot. There aren't many players in the world at his age who could have made a chance like that for himself. But the negative amonst our support were probably concentrating on the miss.

Stones is a long way off being a top class defender and only a biased Evertonian would say that at the moment. He has flair and class but being a top centre half requires you to be able to defend very well consistently, which Stones hasn't been able to do this season.

 

[banno]

Serious? Stones has made the odd mistake (one or two) that have led directly to a goal but in the same instance I'd be blaming Howard as much (eg that back pass). By comparison Barkley is still making sill mistakes all the time.

Difference of opinion clearly but I do think Stones is already top class whereas Barkley has some way to go.

It is all about opinions and my opinion is Barkley is maturing at a rapid rate and is now losing the ball in non dangerous positions...as he will do when he tries to do his tricks which is what we love about him, so long may that continue. Stones has gone a little backwards in his normal defensive duties and is not where he should be at critical times. This will come with time and we should remember he is still a kid and it takes time for CB's to develop there game. Stones has a great tackle and is second to none when on the ball. He will be a great player. He is a very good player at this moment with potential of greatness but has to get the basic defending correct first. Barkley is defo maturing quicker than Stones IMO.