When asked to comprise his world XI football team, Barcelona defender Gerard Pique included Everton’s John Stones in his selection.
The Spaniard included recognised world class stars like Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in his side, but also found a place for the young England defender.
When asked about why he included the 21-year-old in his side, Pique said:
John Stones is a really, really, good player. He will have a good career.
Being a centre-back is not just about defending or being nasty or tough. It’s about knowing how to play football, control the ball, pass and be more comfortable in possession.
This is something they didn’t understand in England 10 years ago, but now there is Stones. He is one of the new generation who understand football not just as a defender.
That is very high praise for the former Barnsley man, who joined Everton from The Tykes for around £3million in 2013. Since then, he’s been the subject of transfer bids from Europe’s elite clubs, with Chelsea being the side who desperately tried to sign him in the summer.
While the praise for Stones is certainly welcome, it does serve as a reminder that the eyes of the world are on the England international, which may worry Evertonians as future transfer bids are all but guaranteed.
However, Stones will be with Everton until January at the earliest but if the summer is anything to go by, they won’t let him go in the new year either.
