da dobrowin： Following reports from The Sun claiming Manchester City are open to selling John Stones this summer, Everton fans took to Twitter discussing the prospect of the England international returning to Goodison Park – with many in favour of a swoop for the one-time Toffee.
da betcris： The ball-playing centre-half made the big-money move to the Etihad Stadium in summer 2016 after spending three-and-a-half years on Merseyside, and was initially a key part of Pep Guardiola’s defence but has slipped down the pecking order this season amid struggles for both fitness and form. Aymeric Laporte’s January arrival has only made the situation more complicated, the path to becoming a world-class defender that was once laid out for Stones now seemingly littered with stumbling blocks.
But they often say you should never go back in football. So would bringing Stones back to Goodison prove a shrewd move on Everton’s part, or could it backfire completely? Football FanCast look at the potential consequences – some positive, some negative – of the 23-year-old rejoining the Toffees this summer.
Style of football improves
A somewhat agricultural style of football has been one of the biggest grievances of Sam Allardyce’s spell in charge of the Toffees, but bringing in a technically-gifted centre-half could be the perfect solution to adding more aesthetic dimensions to Everton’s game.
Of course, Allardyce isn’t going to change his entire footballing philosophy overnight, but he’s a pragmatist first and foremost and Stones’ ball-playing ability is something he’ll be keen to utilise when the situations allow – most likely in Everton’s home games against low quality opposition.
There will inevitably be doubters over whether Allardyce would have interest in that kind of transition, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that this isn’t the former West Ham manager’s team. Signing Stones would be a big statement on the kind of football he intends to play with Everton and the direction he wants to take the team in – which could win over some of those underwhelmed fans.
Old guard are moved on
Phil Jagielka has no doubt been a fantastic servant to Everton, but at 35 years of age he’s struggled to prove fit for purpose at times this season. Ashley Williams is no spring chicken either, aged 33, and has hardly matched his consistently impressive form for Swansea since joining the Toffees two years ago.
In an ideal world, at least one would be moved on this summer to make way for a younger alternative, and Stones certainly falls into that category.
That would quickly change the complexion of Everton’s defence with two younger centre-halves at its core, the other being Michael Keane who has shown real improvements in recent weeks after a shaky start to his career at Goodison. That would lay down the long-term foundations for a refreshed backline, with Leighton Baines likely to be replaced in the coming years as well.
Leeds are allowed to sign Pennington
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Everton want to extend Matthew Pennington’s contract once he returns from his season-long loan with Leeds, having impressed in patches during a difficult campaign at Elland Road. Signing Stones though, might just convince the club otherwise – and that could pave the way for the young defender to permanently join the Championship side, who are reportedly interested in a deal.
After all, Pennington and Stones are the same age and while one has made 14 starts in the Championship this season, the other is a Premier League winner and 24-cap England international. If it’s a straight-up choice between the two, Stones wins every time and although there’s no reason both can’t be in the same squad, it’s unlikely Allardyce will want so many young defenders with Keane’s relative inexperience highlighted by the fact he’s only ever made 84 Premier League appearances.
Allardyce will surely want more variation in his defensive options and even if he does take the younger route, he already has Mason Holgate to provide backup for Keane and Stones.
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