Everton could repeat Stones blinder with swoop for “special” EFL ace

Everton have had some exceptional players at the club in recent seasons. Not only has their academy developed some incredible talent, including Wayne Rooney and Ross Barkley to name just two, but they have been fortunate enough to sign some superb modern-day Premier League stars.

This includes the likes of Romelu Lukaku, who played for the Toffees for four seasons, Mikel Arteta, who is now a top Premier League manager, and Leighton Baines, the club’s record assist-maker. However, arguably their best purchase in recent memory came from the EFL. That player in question here is John Stones.

Stones’ Everton career

Back in the winter window in 2013, the Toffees signed a then 18-year-old defender John Stones from his hometown club Barnsley. They paid a reported £3m, securing his services for five and a half seasons and beating off competition from other Premier League sides including Chelsea, Manchester City, and Aston Villa.

Of course, the defender would go and move to the Etihad Stadium eventually, making the move from Merseyside to Manchester for £47.5m in August 2016, a deal which made him the second-most expensive defender ever at the time.

Despite the move just three years into his contract, the Toffees certainly got a few years of excellent service out of the England international. Stones played 95 times for the Toffees, eventually breaking into the first team in his first full season. Overall, the defender became a key player, featuring regularly despite injuries affecting his time at Goodison Park.

Since moving to the Etihad Stadium, it is fair to say the England international has had a successful time of things. He has gone on to play 267 times for the Cityzens, becoming a crucial part of Pep Guardiola’s dynasty and winning several trophies, including the treble in 2022/23.