Everton are reportedly targeting John Stones this summer after he announced he will leave Manchester City, according to the i Paper.
Stones has made only seven Premier League appearances this season but has won almost three-quarters of his duels.
He could be an important player for manager David Moyes, who knows his great quality.
Everton have James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O’Brien in their squad, but could use another option, especially if they secure European football.
Stones knows Everton well, having played for the Merseyside outfit between 2013 and 2016. He would fit in nicely.
Everton cannot afford to be sentimental
Everton must be careful not to let sentiment cloud their judgement.
Stones is an exceptional defender. At his best, one of the finest English centre-backs of his generation.
However, injuries have increasingly defined the latter years of his career.
He has struggled to remain consistently available, which is a major concern for a club that cannot afford to be without key players for long spells.
Everton need defenders capable of handling the physical demands of a long Premier League season, especially if European football stretches the squad further.
There is a genuine risk that Stones would arrive with huge expectations but fail to make the decisive impact many supporters hope for.
Everton may be better served looking for the next Stones rather than revisiting the old one.
Their smartest recruitment has often come from identifying young talent with elite potential before the rest of the market catches up.
That approach worked brilliantly when they signed Stones and later sold him for an enormous profit.
Repeating that trick could prove far more valuable than gambling on a fading star.
Stats from Sofascore.
