Player Focus: Chelsea's Interest in Stones Comes as Little Shock
Given their somewhat unrivalled dominance in the Premier League last season, it’s little wonder Chelsea have made minimal movements in the transfer window so far. Asmir Begovic and Falcao are the two stand out acquisitions, though those were only to cover the departing Petr Cech and Didier Drogba. Neither are likely to start for the Champions come the first day of the season, injury permitting. However, the Blues signalled their intention to strengthen accordingly on Friday when they reportedly saw a £20m bid for John Stones rejected.
The Everton centre-back has quickly emerged as one of the hottest defensive prospects in the Premier League and it comes as no real surprise that the top teams are keeping tabs on the youngster. At 21 years of age, an outlay of at least £20m is a risk to take on a player so young, but having already proved himself in England’s top tier - coupled with the potential to improve and the English premium - £20m would have been considered a steal for a player of Stones’ calibre in today’s market, hence Everton's rejection.
Of all players aged 21 or under, only Harry Kane (7.28), Raheem Sterling (7.27) and Hector Bellerín (7.19) gained a better WhoScored rating than Stones (7.17) in the Premier League last season. The fact that the trio of performers ahead of the defender in the list played for one of England’s top six teams last term only accentuates Stones’ current ability with a scope to improve. It’s no wonder, in that case, that Chelsea have looked to spend big to convince the Toffees to part ways with one of their prized assets.
Everton, though, are expected to hold firm over their choice to resist the temptation to sell. Following Sylvain Distin’s move to Bournemouth and the decision not to renew Antolin Alcaraz’s contract, the Toffees are left with only Stones and Phil Jagielka as the club’s recognised centre-backs. Importantly, both defenders were two of the Merseysiders’ three highest rated players last season, with Jagielka (7.27) ranking top and Leighton Baines (7.26) running him a close second. Stones, after breaking into the first team, has quickly become a regular at the heart of the defence, making 23 league starts last season. That figure would likely have been higher had he not missed 12 games between October and December due to a malleolar injury.
He clearly did enough to attract interest from Chelsea, who perhaps eye him as long-term replacement for John Terry. As things stand, the west London side have only Terry, Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma on their books as first team centre-back options. Kenneth Omeruo is available following the culmination of his loan spell with Middlesbrough, but he is expected to depart for another temporary move this summer after he was omitted from Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the US.
Terry may have been one of the stand out performers in the Premier League last season, but his advancing years mean the club require a successor for the 34-year-old. While he signed a one-year contract extension back in March, the former England international cannot go on forever and it’s fair to say the sooner Terry’s heir is brought to the club, the better. Stones, despite his young age, has quickly developed his leadership qualities alongside Jagielka and that is likely to improve with further first team experience. Given Cahill’s underwhelming displays for the Blues last term, it’s feasible to suggest that Stones could come into the side as first choice centre-back, despite Cahill’s experience and Zouma’s already apparent ability.
Stones averaged more tackles per league game (1.4) last season than the aforementioned trio, though that is likely to be due to manager Jose Mourinho being able to call on the imposing Nemanja Matic in the middle of the park. With the Serb marshaling the midfield, Terry, Cahill and Zouma needn’t exhibit this quality of their game as regularly as Stones, despite the displays of James McCarthy for the Toffees. However, Stones’ impressive return shows he is capable of performing his defensive responsibilities with aplomb.
Yet it’s his distribution of the ball that stands out and is perhaps the reason why Chelsea have looked to spend big to bring him to the capital. The Blues have developed statistically calculated WhoScored styles of play of ‘possession football’ and ‘short passes’, with Mourinho insisting his players instigate attacks from the back. This approach would suit Stones to a tee, with one of his WhoScored strengths being ‘passing’.
Compared to Chelsea’s current centre-back options, Stones averages more passes per game (45.1), while only Terry (89.6%) boasted a marginally superior pass accuracy than his young compatriot (89.5%). This only adds further weight behind the Blues’ pursuit of Stones as the Champions look to bolster their defence.
It remains to be seen, however, whether Everton will sell Stones this summer, though the club are rightly determined to retain his services. It would be in the best interest of the club to build the defence around him given his quality and potential, as it's unlikely the Toffees would be able to unearth a centre-back of his ability in the future. With Euro 2016 also less than a year away, it may be wise for Stones to remain at Goodison Park in order to gain suitable playing time to be in with a chance of making the England squad. Having been on the Three Lions’ standby list for the 2014 World Cup, a solid campaign on Merseyside could see him guarantee a place in the 23-man squad next summer.
Chelsea will need to secure a Terry successor in the not-too-distant future and they are right to earmark Stones. His performances in an Everton shirt support the decision to target the young centre-back, though the Toffees are right to categorically reject the Blues' advances. "I’m very happy at Everton," Stones said recently. Everton fans will now look to take comfort in the youngster’s words.
Do you think Chelsea should pursue their interest in John Stones despite seeing their opening offer rejected? Let us know in the comments belows
