Manchester City are currently holding talks with Everton over the transfer of England international defender John Stones. The two clubs have not reached an agreement yet as Everton reportedly want 50 million pounds for the 22-year-old defender. Stones was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea last summer, the Blues have tried to push the transfer through but Everton eventually decided to keep the player for another season.
Stones was in the England squad at Euro 2016 but did not play at all. He started his professional career at Barnsley in 2012 and after just 10 months he joined Everton in a move worth 3 million pounds. New Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is an admirer of John Stones, a central defender which would fit perfectly into his style of play. "Normally central defenders are strong in the air and aggressive," Guardiola said on Wednesday. "But we need to have a good build-up to create easy passes in the midfield so they can create good passes for the strikers. I believe when the ball goes from the central defender to the striker as quickly as possible, it comes as quickly as possible back. That is why the players in that area need quality. By 31 August we will have the right squad to play how we want."
While he was managing Barcelona and Bayern Munich the Spanish boss had employed midfielders like Javier Mascherano and Javi Martinez as central defenders, players that were able to provide good passes from the back line. At Manchester City Guardiola says that Fernandinho could be a midfielder that might cover that role. "Fernandinho can play in 10 positions," Guardiola said. "He is quick, fast, intelligent, aggressive. He is strong in the air and has the quality to play good build-up, can go right or left and can pass long."
Manchester City are 5/2 at Bet365 to win the Premier League next season.
07/29/16, 10:07:32 AM
