Sam Allardyce has revealed he is keen on signing Everton defender John Stones this summer – so that he can teach the England centre-back how to defend.
Stones rose to prominence last season following a string of impressive performances for the Toffees, culminating in a series of hefty transfer bids from Chelsea last summer.
Since then Stones has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona, but his form on the pitch has dipped dramatically and his place in Everton’s starting XI has come under threat.
But with Stones contemplating his options ahead of a big summer, Allardyce reckons he could be the answer to all of the 21-year-old’s problems.
Speaking via the Liverpool Echo, Allardyce said: “I’d like to sign Stones, him alongside (Lamine) Kone would be a good combination.
“I’d teach him how to defend.
“It would be a simple job for me. That’s my area of expertise in many ways.
“I can coach in all departments, especially team play but when it comes to defending, you name it, I’ll tell you about it.
“It wouldn’t be too difficult to show him, a player of his intelligence, when and where to do things.
“You’re never going to stop a player of his ability coming out with the ball and passing it around, but don’t do it at the wrong time.
“Rio Ferdinand made sense to me, he got it exactly right, he was very similar at a young age.
“People said he overplayed and kept getting caught out, but by the age of 25 or 26, he was one of the best centrebacks in the world as a defender who could play as well.”
Stones has played in 39 games for his club this season and is set to start against Allardyce’s side on Wednesday night as Everton travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland.
It remains to be seen if Big Sam will follow up his interest with a formal offer, but we think Stones might have a few other clubs after him.
What do you think of his advice?
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