Martinez: The reason Stones is improving is due to the influence of Jagielka
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has hailed the influence of Everton captain Phil Jagielka and says that he is a large part of why John Stones has improved so much.
The Catalan feels that because of the experiences of playing in different positionsand the way he is playing the game at the moment that Jagielka is teaching Stones so much.
The gaffer was also asked if there was a better defensive partnership in the league at the moment.
“Not for me.
“I don’t want to speak too much because when you do you normally get a setback.
“But when you look at John Stones and the way he performs with maturity, the reason he is allowed to play the way he does is because of the influence of Jagielka.
“I just feel he (Jagielka) has gone to a different level.
“Last season he took on such an incredible commanding role, being a captain and pushing the team through difficulties, but they have become really strong and understand each other really well.
“That is why I didn’t want to break that partnership and make too many changes in that back four and it was great to see the influence of those two, along with Tim Howard, allowing two youngsters to feel comfortable so that they could keep a clean sheet against a team that is going to challenge you with a lot of goalscoring threat.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the image we gave in that back four because that is us as a football club, giving opportunities to youngsters and the youngsters are ready.”
“Jags’ background is playing in different positions.
“He has played as a right-back and he started as a central midfielder, so centre-half is a role that they have to embrace and master but, with the quality they have, both players could play in many other positions.
“Now there is more the sense of a captain. He uses his demeanour to help others around him and John and him look a phenomenal partnership.”
How well is the defensive partnership doing at the moment?
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