27 May 2016 21:41:18
I realize he's still young and has a lot of potential, but I am FAR from convinced that Stones will be a world class CB. Watching him for two seasons in the PL, and for the Natl team, and I don't think he's worth near what is being quoted. Is he worth taking a chance at 20-25mil? Sure. But if they insist on 45-50mil for a player who COULD turn into a world class CB, I'd rather spend half of that on a non-english player. Varane, Marquinos, or Lindelof would all provide just as good of a chance of finding a long term elite CB, and at a cheaper price.
27 May 2016 21:46:41
I thought stones had a really good game tonight .
Only 21, in the right team, right manager i think he is going to be very good.
27 May 2016 22:08:59
Spot on Jred. however to get best out of him i think he needs a solid player next to him. Unfortunately the same goes for Smalling!
27 May 2016 22:15:41
Brad yer i agree .
27 May 2016 22:39:41
I think he should start ahead of cahill in the euros. Even if he does make mistakes, best to do it at 21 when he still has plenty of time to learn from them.
Bet phil jones is kicking himself as with a few games towards the end of the season i think he would have made the 26 given england lack of centre backs. Although kicking himself would probably injure him even more.
27 May 2016 23:24:23
We spent big on two 'will be world class' cb's in Smalling and Jones; and just look how that turned out.
Hard not to agree with the OP on this one. Varane and Marquinhos are streets ahead of Stones and there are plenty of young players around the same level that will cost a fraction of the price.
Personally I'd like to see us go all out for Varane but would be just as happy with somebody like Garay and a young prospect to learn from him (Rugani, Tah or Sule being my preferred choices) .
27 May 2016 23:36:18
Could be right. But usually you don't buy a player for 45mil if they are only potential, which is largely how I view Stones right now. Thought Smalling was the boss of the center of the park, as he had more clearances and fewer errors or lapses than Stones. Again, I think Stones could one day develop into a top player, but when we can spend huge amounts on players like Griezman, Pogba, Varane, etc, it makes me worried to instead spend it on a young English CB with potential, especially as Cahill, Jones, etc haven't lived up to that same billing.
27 May 2016 23:41:41
If jones kicked himself he would get injured.
28 May 2016 00:13:00
Redseven
Smalling cost 6 mil .
Jones 16 . don't know how good he is due to injuries.
Everton turned down 35 mil from chelsea i wonder what jose can see in stones that you can't .
I think he will be one of the best around.
28 May 2016 00:14:52
Stones would look grear in the psg or madrid team, knocking the ball around in a team full of top players under little pressure.
28 May 2016 00:45:55
I'd take stones and Varane both young and we could possibly have them at the club for a decade would be worth the cash.