Former BBC pundit Alan Hansen believes that young Everton centre-half John Stones has the skill and ability to become just the right defender for Barcelona in the future.
Everton defender John Stones is attracting attention from all over Europe — so much so that Premier League club Chelsea put in three bids for him in the summer, but ultimately failed to get their man. Their maximum bid, which was reportedly in excess of 40 million pounds, is a clear indicator of the 21-year-old’s potential.
Stones’s latest admirer is legendary Liverpool centre-back Alan Hansen, the wall that manned the Reds defence when they were dominating domestically and in Europe. Hansen believes that John Stones has the ability on the ball as well as the defensive prowess to break into the Barcelona team.
“In a footballing sense, and this is purely a footballing consideration, Barcelona would be perfect for him,” said Hansen, according to the Mirror.
“The way he plays, and the way they play, would be the ideal match-up. Yes, they have some unbelievable talents higher up the pitch, but they haven’t lost a football match for five months because they don’t give many goals away.”
Everybody wants Stones
John Stones is a wanted man by clubs across Europe. Everton managed to keep hold of him last summer, despite Chelsea’s public pursuit of the youngster, who also handed in a transfer request. However, Roberto Martinez considers the Englishman a vital player and is willing to go to any lengths to keep him at the club.
The recent investment made by billionaire Farhad Moshiri at Everton will help Martinez in this endeavor. But with some of the biggest clubs in Europe looking to entice Stones away, it will be a difficult task to hold on to him as he progresses.
Barcelona could also be very interested in signing John Stones in the near future. With iconic defender Gerard Pique hitting 29 and his first-team partner Javier Mascherano on the wrong side of 30, the Catalans will definitely be looking at a youngster to come in and take over the defensive reins.
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