Money can’t buy him. Stones showed his quality again tonight, in a game where Everton needed to be defensively solid after the collapse against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Thanks to the youngster, Middlesborough were held to only shots outside and around the area, rather than clear cut chances on goal and even when there was the odd occasion, Joel would be behind him to mop up. No performance goes without a negative, though, and on one occasion Stuani was left free, after the Spaniard had peeled away from Stones in the box and should have done better with his header.
Regardless, with his calm and composed performance, he was one of Everton’s better players this evening, and will be hoping to take this kind of performance into the game next Monday when Crystal Palace come to Goodison Park.
Another point to note about Stones in the game is the partnership he and Ramiro Funes Mori have created. As mentioned in the player focus on Funes Mori on the weekend, they seem to compliment each other very well when playing out of defence, with both capable of turning defence into attack in seconds.
Only negative of that is sometimes it can play them into trouble, but 9 times out of 10 it comes off and it will take a period of time to perfect the style of play. They were that confident they even added in the odd backheel to each other! I’m sure that Phil Jagielka know he face a challenge when he returns from injury.
The question on many Evertonians lips, though, is whether he will be at Everton come to the end of January. The answer, is yes. Chelsea may test the waters yet again after struggling defensively this season, but the Blues will be looking to ward off any interest in an attempt to build the team around John in the next few years. This saga has truly tested Everton’s resolve, after all, ‘money can’t buy you Stones’.
