Everton are seeking to bolster their squad this summer and Micah Richards has branded one Toffees target ‘a class act’.
David Moyes made a real hash of Everton’s push for European football at the end of the 2025/26 season, going seven games without a win.
If you were Angus Kinnear who would you be going all out for this summer? 💰
That has brought about a new spotlight on him, and he now needs a big summer to settle some disgruntled fans down.
A lot have turned on the manager though, and some are worried about the kind of summer he will oversee.
Links to players like Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have not exactly blown people away, but Moyes does love an experience Premier League player.
And one man who falls into this category is John Stones.
John Stones hailed by Micah Richards amid Everton links
Everton will look to bolster their defence this summer, with the full-back positions especially key.
But the club are also looking at centre-backs – and a swoop for John Stones has long been mooted.
Stones, of course, has left Manchester City and is looking for a new club – and interest in him is understandably quite widespread.
For another former City defender Micah Richards, Stones is still a top player.
Talking about England, he said on the Rest Is Football on Netflix: “I would agree in terms of enough games, but in international football, someone who can break the lines with a pass, can do it at club level, he’s comfortable, done it at the top level, he’s a class act, I would go with John Stones and Guehi is nailed on, isn’t he?”
Everton shouldn’t risk Stones move
Richards may still rate Stones highly, and actually when he plays, he really does look top quality.
But that is part of the main issue with Stones. He doesn’t actually play that often these days. Or at least, he doesn’t put together long runs of games.
Unfortunately, despite his status as one of the best ball-playing centre-halves in the business, Stones is very fragile. In 2025/26, he made just 18 appearances in total, with five of those coming in the Premier League.
The injury record really has been bad, which is an absolute shame.
At the moment, Everton are already carrying one injury-prone central defender in Jarrad Branthwaite, and it would not be ideal to bring on board another. Even if he wouldn’t cost the club a transfer fee.
Unfortunately the evidence is there to suggest it wouldn’t be wise. There is obviously a romance element here given Stones is a former Everton player.
But heads ought to rule hearts.
It was actually reported recently that Everton are slightly wary of Stones’ absences, so potentially there won’t be any swoop, which would be wise.
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