Poor again tonight, terrible decision making. 2nd worst defender on the pitch after ottamendi. Seriously, city with centre backs are like us with centre forwards.

At this point, I'm glad that Everton were greedy and hung onto him. Well, Greedy may be strong, but certainly trying to keep hold of him despite significant interest and thus over valuing their asset.

He is young, has potential, and is English. That's automatically going to skyrocket his price tag. I've never been that impressed by him, and certainly not for the money being touted. If the Evertonians think that he really is the next big thing, then let him stay there.

If Jose was prepared to spend the 37 million quoted, it again makes me question just how good Jose is as spotting players

Im I'm 100% sure things would have shaken out differently if we had signed him. You also have to think maybe it was correct of us to start at what his true value probably is instead of 35m as some here were suggesting

Stones will be quality.

 

Smalling had some bad years at United but he is very good now. Defenders take longer to mature.

Stones will be quality.

Smalling had some bad years at United but he is very good now. Defenders take longer to mature.

You're right mate but Smalling wasn't valued at 50mil pounds.

At this point, I'm glad that Everton were greedy and hung onto him.  Well, Greedy may be strong, but certainly trying to keep hold of him despite significant interest and thus over valuing their asset.

 

He is young, has potential, and is English.  That's automatically going to skyrocket his price tag.  I've never been that impressed by him, and certainly not for the money being touted.  If the Evertonians think that he really is the next big thing, then let him stay there.

 

If Jose was prepared to spend the 37 million quoted, it again makes me question just how good Jose is as spotting players 

 

Not only Jose, if I remember correctly JT sung his praises as well, so there was a great deal of influential backing for our bid at the time. That said, I agree with the other points you have made and there appears to be enough recent evidence to suggest we should be steering clear of any deal at the price previously quoted, perhaps even opting out altogether. However, Gary Cahill’s supposed ‘situation’ clouds this issue and, should there be any truth in the rumours of him wanting to leave, the home grown quota needs to be considered, especially with JT at the end of his career. A recall from loan for Andreas Christensen, who has come up through the ranks, would also help the cause, but chances for our loanees have been slim to none for so long now I doubt this will happen.   

 

Still, the club is certainly looking to cover all bases, by bringing in Matt Miazga and giving Branna another year, so I’d be inclined to test Everton’s resolve with a substantially reduced offer and incorporate a Cahill swap, if that’s the way Gary wants to go to secure his place in the England squad. These plus cash deals can cover a multitude of [previously misguided bidding] sins and there are a lot of years left on the Cahill contract. Add in the RB full back playing versatility of both Stones and Christensen, their respective ages, the youth of Miazga, the LB experienced gained by Nathan Ake at Watford, the LB promise of Jay Dasilva, and we would be very well set defensively for the next decade. 

 

Kurt Zouma and Dave would complete the picture, leaving JT to bask in the glory of being the father figure to the group. Just imagine a new season photo-shoot line-up centred on our beaming captain, surrounded by Zouma, Christensen, Miazga and Stones, under a caption like ‘Young Guns Going For It’ - he would love every minute!   

Not only Jose, if I remember correctly JT sung his praises as well, so there was a great deal of influential backing for our bid at the time. That said, I agree with the other points you have made and there appears to be enough recent evidence to suggest we should be steering clear of any deal at the price previously quoted, perhaps even opting out altogether. However, Gary Cahill’s supposed ‘situation’ clouds this issue and, should there be any truth in the rumours of him wanting to leave, the home grown quota needs to be considered, especially with JT at the end of his career. A recall from loan for Andreas Christensen, who has come up through the ranks, would also help the cause, but chances for our loanees have been slim to none for so long now I doubt this will happen.

Still, the club is certainly looking to cover all bases, by bringing in Matt Miazga and giving Branna another year, so I’d be inclined to test Everton’s resolve with a substantially reduced offer and incorporate a Cahill swap, if that’s the way Gary wants to go to secure his place in the England squad. These plus cash deals can cover a multitude of [previously misguided bidding] sins and there are a lot of years left on the Cahill contract. Add in the RB full back playing versatility of both Stones and Christensen, their respective ages, the youth of Miazga, the LB experienced gained by Nathan Ake at Watford, the LB promise of Jay Dasilva, and we would be very well set defensively for the next decade.

Kurt Zouma and Dave would complete the picture, leaving JT to bask in the glory of being the father figure to the group. Just imagine a new season photo-shoot line-up centred on our beaming captain, surrounded by Zouma, Christensen, Miazga and Stones, under a caption like ‘Young Guns Going For It’ - he would love every minute!

That group of defenders is a nice idea, but in practice i'd like 1 or 2 more experienced heads in there, as in 18 months time, Terry and Ivanovic may very well have left, and we would be left with azpiliucueta our only defender over 23.

I suppose it would all depend whether zouma, stones, or christiensen, are at a level where they control that back line, at the moment I don't think they will be ready in 18 months time.

If we are replacing cahill, i'd be more inclined to bring in a top centre back that is ready now.

Getting slated 

 

Looking more and more like we dodged a bullet here

He definitely has a touch of David Luiz about him, but under a manager that actually knows something about defending Stones can easily drop the bad habits, he is only 21 years old after all.

Thats being very polite....

He definitely has a touch of David Luiz about him, but under a manager that actually knows something about defending Stones can easily drop the bad habits, he is only 21 years old after all.

A bit like Luiz did under Mourinho?

Roberto has no idea how to defend. That entire team suffers from it. I wont be surprised when he asks yo leave again in the summer

Roberto Martinez wants to win the lottery. He wants his team to be proactive every second. Any manager who has won something knows you need to be smart as well. He is not smart, he is this modern evangelist type who just tries to be positive and make everyone believe this gung-ho style works. I like the idea in general but in a real world it is not doing him any good.

Stones is a good player and at Chelsea he he can be better. I still don't want us to spend 40m on him.

Roberto Martinez wants to win the lottery. He wants his team to be proactive every second. Any manager who has won something knows you need to be smart as well. He is not smart, he is this modern evangelist type who just tries to be positive and make everyone believe this gung-ho style works. I like the idea in general but in a real world it is not doing him any good.

Stones is a good player and at Chelsea he he can be better. I still don't want us to spend 40m on him.

Peanut head has a peanut sized brain.

Edited January 31, 201610 yr by Droogba

miazga, zouma, christensen and stones. can't see where they would all fit in somehow (?) be nice to have such a young back line for the future though. 

I still really rate him. Maybe i just have a soft spot for ball playing centre backs.

Forget Stones...Christensen and Zouma are the way forward...maybe Laporte but he'll be serious bucks...Ginter may be an alternative...wouldn't be too expensive and already a German international and can play CB and RB...

Surely Pep will take him to City now.

They have all my blessings.

christensen can be better than stones. the gladbach fans think he will be a top defender from what i've read. 

He will end up at City, Pep may even turn him into another midfielder in the 1-8-1 formation.

Edited February 4, 201610 yr by icecoolguy22

The following comment from an online article about Terry almost made me spew out my coffee in laughter.

 

 

John Stones: a £40m footballer, a £5m defender. Username35, United Kingdom.
 

John stones is vastly over-rated IMO

Everton can keep him or citeh can waste 40 million on him.

John stones is vastly over-rated IMO

Everton can keep him or citeh can waste 40 million on him.

 

just had to bump this thread for all of his supporters - Stones didn't start the match vs CFC today - I wonder why

just had to bump this thread for all of his supporters - Stones didn't start the match vs CFC today - I wonder why

Because he's isn't good enough.