Who needs the Jag when we have the Rolls Royce
“Who needs the Jag when we have a Roller” was a recent phrase that was said to me on twitter by Dave Kelly from the Blue Union and it was a phrase that stuck with me and I felt I needed to write an article about.
The Rolls Royce in question is Evertons brilliant young defender John Stones, who has shone at times this season after replacing his more experienced defensive colleagues at the heart of defence. Very rarely do you get a defender so young in the Premier League and even more rarely do they have the composure, leadership and all round defensive capabilities of one of Evertons brightest new prospects. All in all, we haven’t really missed Captain Jagielka while he has been injured (Although he should come back into the team when fit)
Barnsley lad John Stones was snatched from under then Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez’s nose by then Everton manager David Moyes. Stones was about to join Wigan when Moyes stepped in and signed the lad for £3m from Barnsley. Stones had been making quite a name for himself on South Yorkshire, playing at right-back for his home town club.
“John Stones has been phenomenal,” said Martinez.
19 year old stones is a rare breed, he shows capabilities beyond his years and very rarely do you see a lad so young in top flight football barking orders and bossing the players around him into position. Tuesdays 3-0 win at Newcastle United summed Stones up. After he took a massive bang on the head from a corner, Stones got straight up and played on until the ball was safe, he wasn’t a namby pamby modern day Premier League footballer, this was a solid Yorkshire lad – reminiscent of Terry Butcher when he played for England against Sweden. The lad had his wound patched up and went on his way, after the game he opted for 12 blue stitches.
Speaking of England, I don’t think Roy Hodgson should look much further than Stones to help marshall the centre of defence, he has the temperament, the skill and the desire to be a natural leader for England and I don’t think it will be long before Stones is drafted in to start learning his international trade.
Stones is an old school defender, who brings stability, composure and classic defending, but with a contemporary flair, showing brilliant ball control and passing which defies his years.
Obviously there will be hiccups along the way, this is a learning game after all and the FA Cup defeat at Arsenal looked to have been a step above Stones at the moment, but I have no doubt that the lad will learn loads from it and if called upon in the next game against the gunners you will see a better performance.
Hopefully Stones can marshall the Everton defence for years to come, when you don’t really miss Englands first choice defender – then that tells you that you have a talent on your hands. hopefully we can find an able defensive partner for him…… Personally I am leading the Harry Maguire (Sheffield United) bandwagon
How good can John Stones become? Have your say at www.theevertonforum.com/forum