Is John Stones return to Everton on the cards?

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted that he wants to improve the centre half position, which can open the door to John Stones exit.

John Stones moved to Everton in 2013 from Barnsley and quickly established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet. The 2014-15 season saw John Stones make major improvement in his game and quickly rise as one of the brightest defenders in England. The 2105-16 season reaffirmed that he is not a one season wonder but a top defender who has the ability to thrive at the biggest clubs in Europe.

In the summer transfer window of 2016, Manchester City came and swooped away the Englishman for £47.5 million. This was seen as a major upgrade in Stones’ career and he went onto become a regular starter in the City team. In the next 3 seasons Stones would continue is development into a reliable and world class centre back. Despite having a tricky first season where he was blamed for mistakes in City’s defence, John Stones had become a first choice defender for Pep Guardiola.

However, things changed last term when City started faltering in games where Stones played as a centre back. His record with injuries didn’t help him either as Pep Guardiola started losing faith in the Englishman. When Vincent Kompany left City after a glorious spell after 11 seasons, it looked like the ex-Everton man will be partnering Aymeric Laporte.

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However, City lost Laporte to a knee injury and John Stones soon followed the Frenchmen to the treatment table as the 26 year old suffered from muscle injury. Guardiola had lost his trust in Stones, as the England international not only struggled for fitness but also for form. When he returned to the team, Stones made costly errors that resulted in City dropping points and eventually losing out in the title race to Liverpool.

Defence has been a major let down for City this term and Pep Guardiola is said to be keen on adding new centre halves. He is open to selling John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi. With Manchetser City keen on selling Stones, should Everton buy the defender back?

It’s a 50-50 call. Stones is no doubt a top centre back but his irregularities in form can heavily affect a team. To get him to perform week after week is always going to be a difficult task. His poor fitness record adds to the already existing worries. However, he thrived at Everton and like Mason Holgate has excelled under Carlo Ancelotti, Stones too can bring his career back on track. John Stones has two years left on his current contract at Manchester City and considering the current transfer market situation, the 26 year old will be available for a fraction of the fee Man City paid for Stones.

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Should the Toffees re-sign John Stones?

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