An amazing Rooney repeat: Everton open to signing “world-class” PL star…
David Moyes is keen to make a series of rousing signings at Everton as he leads his squad toward a new home at Bramley-Moore.
Having succeeded in guiding Everton away from the relegation rabble and indeed settle into a 14th-placed Premier League spot with just three fixtures left before the summer, the Scottish manager has struck a tuneful chord with the Merseysiders once again, 12 years after relinquishing his seat in the dugout to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
Everton manager David Moyes reacts
The 62-year-old reunited with his former protégé, Wayne Rooney, at the Theatre of Dreams, and while things went awry, he’d love to have such a player in his current Toffees brood.
He may not be a forward, but Everton do appear to have set their sights on a Premier League legend ahead of the market.
Everton chasing Premier League legend
According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, John Stones’ future at Manchester City is “far from certain,” and Everton are keen on bringing their former prospect back onto Merseyside.
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He told the publication: “If he [Stones] does indeed hit the open market, I believe that Everton would be open to the prospect. Stones is settled in the North West so it could be an option. But we have to see the plans new City sporting director Hugo Viana puts into practice, but the defence is a major area they want to work on.”
Stones left Goodison Park to join Pep Guardiola’s fledgling project in a £47.5m move back in August 2016, and he’s since become one of the most decorated Englishmen of his generation.
john-stones-man-city-premier-league
Though the dynamic defender has offers from the Saudi Pro League, he may feel he has more to offer European football, and Everton’s new chapter could entice him to retrace his once-walked path.
Why Everton should sign John Stones
Like Rooney did eight years ago, Stones could return from a successful career in Manchester to make an impact at his former Merseyside outfit as he approaches the later stage of his career.
Crucially, Stones still has enough quality to help Everton climb toward the upper levels of the Premier League, maybe even knocking on the door of European competition.
john-stones-premier-league-everton
Stones went on to play 95 times for Everton before City came calling. He was described by Three Lions teammate Ezri Konsa as being “world-class” last year but always carried the seeds of such ability at Everton.
An astute deal for Stones wouldn’t come without its caveats. Stones might be one of the most accomplished defenders of modern times, but he’s been reduced to a bit-part role in Pep Guardiola’s team over the past several years, with incessent injury blows limiting him to just 18 top-flight starts across the past two seasons.
John Stones – Man City Career by Season (PL)
Season*
Apps (starts)
Goals
Assists
24/25
11 (6)
2
0
23/24
16 (12)
1
0
22/23
23 (21)
2
2
21/22
14 (12)
1
0
20/21
22 (22)
4
0
19/20
16 (12)
0
0
18/19
24 (20)
0
0
17/18
18 (16)
0
0
16/17
27 (23)
0
0
Stats via Transfermarkt.
However, the 30-year-old is one of the most gifted defenders kicking a ball today and would add a dimension to Moyes’ unit. If Everton retain Jarrad Branthwaite’s services this summer, a continued partnership of him and James Tarkowski would reduce the weight of Stones’ responsibility.
Thrusting him into the Bramley Moore project with the expectation of week-in, week-out starts would surely see him sink like a… stone, but as with Rooney, if he’s managed correctly, it would prove to be a boost that could result in the collection of several invaluable points come season’s end.
wayne-rooney-everton-premier-league-opening-day
Rooney was, of course, brought onto the professional scene by Moyes. The versatile forward posted 59 goal contributions across 116 matches under the manager.
After scoring that goal against Arsenal in his breakout campaign, the teenager was clearly destined for greatness, and after achieving that at Old Trafford, Rooney returned to his boyhood club in the twilight of his career and scored ten goals during the 2017/18 term before moving over the pond.
Stones could repeat that feat. He’s still a brilliant performer when fit and Moyes has demonstrated through the right-back placement of Jake O’Brien that he’s willing to field his stars in unconventional roles, something Stones would surely relish given his multi-facetedness.
With the £80k-per-week Michael Keane among those nearing the end of their contract this summer, making a shrewd move for an experienced head in Stones, with the perfect mentality too, could prove a huge success as Moyes looks to really get his vision up and running.
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