I remain lukewarm about John Stones's ability as a Centre Half.
For me, he is more of a Matt Jackson than a Ratcliffe, Watson or Labone; undoubtedly composed, but lacking that aerial superiority and authority so vital to this lynchpin of roles.
Yes, he's young. Yes, he's still learning his trade. However, great centre-halves - like strikers- are born not made. Positioning under pressure is instinctive and not for the faint hearted when it's all hands to the pump in a crowded penalty area.
In fairness, Moyes bought him as I recall at the tender age of seventeen as a right back. Whether or not it was his intention at the time to turn him into a C.H. is unknown, but if so, why was this when we already had suitable (ready made?) candidates in our own Academy?
I recall watching one such individual on a couple of occasions; Mark Hughes was his name. Okay, you could rightly argue that merely two occasions is insufficient to judge anyone thoroughly enough, but I remain convinced that centre-halves are born to the role: you've either got it, or you ain't! In this relatively short time, I recognised all of the attributes in the incipient, and I was extremely disappointed to learn, like so many others of his peer group at the time, that he had been loaned out and eventually 'off-loaded'. Often, when this question about John's suitability for the role is questioned, young Hughes is brought to mind and I sit and ponder what might have been if only the club had invested the same amount of time and resources on Mark? Regrettably, we'll never know, like so much other potential talent that's slipped the net.
I think we had Mr. Moyes's apparent contempt for the Club's blossoming Academy to thank for that!
Whilst I believe John can still play a part in Everton's recovery, perhaps in his more familiar right back role or even midfield, I sincerely doubt he'll ever make the grade as a CH at this level. If he's still not there after several years of honing, how much time does he need to become the finished article, and is it a luxury we can afford considering the disappointment of recent results?
Perhaps for John Stones it's a bridge too far.
