Everton are targeting a player John Stones once said was ‘incredible’ and ‘outrageous’ at passing

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Everton are in the process of identifying transfer targets – and the previous comments from John Stones about one star are worth noting.

David Moyes is looking for a productive summer window after guiding Everton to safety with ease in 2024/25.

In the end, there were no fears about relegation, with Everton securing their safety with weeks to spare.

Moyes made a terrific impact, but he knows the club cannot now stand still. The Friedkin Group must back the Scot to ensure that a good first season is had at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton are prioritising four positions at the moment, and one of those is a new central midfielder.

Abdoulaye Doucoure is leaving Everton on a free transfer, and the club have confirmed Orel Mangala has headed back to Lyon after his loan stint.

One player Everton are reportedly keen on is Kalvin Phillips, who’s a player who has previously received big praise from John Stones.

What John Stones said about Kalvin Phillips as Everton eye midfielder

Phillips has just finished a loan spell at Ipswich Town, and is now likely to leave Manchester City this summer.

They are having a rebuild of their squad, and Phillips is not in the plans of Pep Guardiola, who is signing Tijjani Reijnders and has already brought in Nico Gonzalez this year.

Phillips has interest from several clubs right now, including his old team Leeds United.

But Everton are there too, and it’ll be interesting to see if Moyes – who has obviously worked with Phillips at West Ham United – will make a play for the 29-year-old.

In 2021, John Stones really talked up Phillips as the player carried the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ nickname.

He said (via Yorkshire Evening Post): “They are two different players.

“I have had the opportunity obviously to play with Kalvin and I believe he is his own player and has his own qualities.

“It’s funny that he has been labelled the Yorkshire Pirlo – I’ll get on him after this.

“But he’s an incredible player and to see him come through and perform the way he has during this tournament, his first major tournament, I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Stones and Phillips then became teammates in 2023 when Phillips joined City, and the defender couldn’t help but praise how good a passer of the ball he was, saying: “Easily his range of passing and how he’s always in the right place on the pitch, his positioning and some of the passes he plays [are] outrageous.”

Everton could seal double deal for Stones and Phillips

It remains to be seen if Everton will go for Phillips, but it’s interesting because Stones is also a player Everton are considering signing this summer.

Stones has had his injury problems again recently, and seems to have an uncertain future at the Etihad.

Everton need a new centre-back in, and while it would be a risk to sign Stones because of his injury record, there is no denying he would be a real statement addition by TFG in their first summer window.

And if Stones came, then perhaps Phillips would be encouraged to follow, or vice-versa.

Phillips has obviously had a tough time over the past few years.

But we have already seen the effect Moyes has had on players at Everton, and he might just feel he is the man to help turn Phillips’ career around.