beIN SPORTS

By Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven)

Every Premier League team is looking for the same thing this summer. With Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United all overhauling their squads the transfer market has become a very crowded, and expensive, place. Never before has the pursuit of new players taken on the feel of such a frenetic auction, with prices pushed up and up with every raise of a hand.

Defenders and defensive midfielders are in short supply, with the Premier League falling behind its continental counterparts in terms of tactical nous and game-intelligence. It’s for this reason that the likes of N’Golo Kante (now a Chelsea player) and Eric Bailly (signed by Manchester United) have been so keenly sought.

But no player illustrates the current nature of the transfer market like John Stones. The Everton defender has long been seen as the vanguard of English soccer’s next defensive generation, with Stones chased by Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager last summer. Now it is Man City reportedly leading the pursuit.

Pep Guardiola sees Stones as the central defender he needs to implement his trademark style of play, with the England international undeniably adept at bringing the ball out from the back. At both Barcelona and Bayern Munich he found a link between his backline and the midfield. Stones could be that figure at the Etihad Stadium.

However, pushing through a deal for Stones could prove something of a saga, even for a club of City’s riches. Following Farhad Moshiri’s takeover earlier this year, Everton are hardly desperate to cash in on Stones this summer, with new manager Ronald Koeman looking to build a team capable of putting together their own challenge.

Upwards of £50 million will likely be needed to prise Stones from Goodison Park, meaning the young defender could be the subject of one of this summer’s biggest transfers. But is he really worth such a hefty price? Does Guardiola really need Stones that badly?

After all, Man City have spent millions upon millions on central defenders in recent years. In fact, Guardiola has the most expensive defensive selection at his disposal, with Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala signed for a combined £64 million over the past two summers. Factor in Vincent Company and Jason Denayer (both Belgian internationals) and Man City are arguably the best defensively stocked side in the Premier League right now.

If Guardiola still feels that he needs Stones, such condemnation of City’s current defensive crop will be especially damning. Denayer could provide the most compelling case study when it comes to the Catalan’s true quality as a defensive philosopher. 

The Belgian centre-back is comfortable on the ball and boasts a certain pedigree having held down a starting place for his national team at this summer’s European Championships. Denayer could be the link between the defence and midfield Guardiola so badly desires, with the Belgian also giving the new City boss the chance to underline his capacity at making the best of young talent.

Those counting the coins at the Etihad Stadium would surely be in favour of using Denayer rather than Stones as the defensive lynchpin needed this season. But with the rest of the Premier League making big moves in the transfer market, Man City could view Stones as something of a statement signing. The symbolism of his arrival would be great.

And yet Guardiola is supposed to be above this sort of thing. There’s no denying that English players are overvalued (maybe even overrated), with the country’s brightest and best commanding transfer fees beyond their true ability. Man City have already experienced that following their signing of Raheem Sterling for £49 million last summer.

City hired Guardiola for his insight and ability to see things that others don’t. So it is somewhat surprising that he is so keen to push through a move for Stones, especially at such a price. If Stones is the £50 million answer, perhaps the question being asked is the wrong one.