Strengths and Weaknesses of Chelsea Transfer Target John Stones

The latest Sky Sports reports indicate that Chelsea have not yet made a second bid for the Everton centre-back John Stones, but it is clear the Premier League champions retain an interest in the 21-year-old as the relationship between the clubs deteriorates.

If signed, Stones would compete with John Terry, Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma for a place in the Chelsea defence, but how much do fans of his prospective new club know about him?

Here are some of his strengths and weaknesses.

Strength: Pace

Christian Hofer/Getty Images

It’s not just because he’s replaced the cumbersome Sylvain Distin in the Everton side that Stones looks quick—it’s because he really is rapid.

The 21-year-old can keep up with the fastest of attackers thanks to his lightning speed, with his acceleration and ability to eat up the yards making him a tough barrier to pass.

If, as some have suggested, he was to come into the Chelsea side to replace Gary Cahill, then his pace would mean he’d serve as a good foil for John Terry, who would be able to drop off safe in the knowledge that his quicker, younger colleague would be able to get in line with him quickly should the need arise.

Weakness: Rashness

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Supporters love to see their players diving into challenges and putting everything on the line for their team, so some wouldn’t even see this a weakness. However, Stones does have a slight tendency to dive into challenges and can leave his tackles a bit late.

A good sliding tackle is something of an art form, but for some defenders, it is a last resort. For others, it’s something on which they clearly thrive.

Stones is good at them, but the slightest mistiming of a challenge can lead to free-kicks and penalties, which would obviously be to the detriment of his team. As such, this is something which he could do with working on.

Strength: Passing

Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

In February, Roberto Martinez told the Liverpool Echo that he saw Stones as “one of the best ball-playing centre-halves you will see in European football." Quite the compliment.

The Everton manager’s faith in his young charge isn’t misplaced. Neither are the vast majority of his passes, with stats site Squawka claiming Stones had a 90 per cent average pass accuracy last season, with the average length of those passes at 22 metres.

Capable of starting attacks from deep, Stones would thrive playing behind a recognised defensive midfielder such as Nemanja Matic, whom he could feed the ball and help put his side on the front foot.

Weakness: Physicality

Clint Hughes/Getty Images

It’s not something that has unduly troubled him in his career so far, but Stones certainly isn’t the most physical of players, and he could find it tough up against the powerful forwards Chelsea regularly face in the Champions League and Premier League.

Of course, this is something that he could improve over time, and as he gets older he’ll discover different ways of dealing with these players rather than just outmuscling them. However, it would perhaps be a concern for a manager such as Jose Mourinho, who appears to pride himself on stocking his teams with as many powerful figures as possible.

Strength: Discipline

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

In two seasons at Everton, Stones has only been booked twice in the Premier League—although he did pick up a red card in the Europa League at Young Boys in February.

We mentioned his rashness as a weakness earlier, but generally his discipline is exemplary. He rarely gets involved in slanging matches with opposition players or officials and isn’t likely to be seen indulging in running battles with anyone.

Although not always demonstrating it, he can time a tackle pretty well and is very strong in it, something that will doubtless remind Chelsea supporters of a young Terry.

Weakness: Attacking

PAUL ELLIS/Getty Images

This wouldn’t be so much of a problem in many other teams, but as proved last season, when Terry, Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic scored 17 times between them, Mourinho likes his defenders to chip in with goals.

Stones has only scored once for Everton in 54 appearances for the club—a header in a 3-0 win over Manchester United, to which he seemed to react to with shock when it went in. Although he won’t be judged on his goals return were he to make the move to Stamford Bridge, it is an area of his game he will doubtless be determined to improve, even if he stays at Everton.

Strength: Willingness to Learn

Michael Regan/Getty Images

An ankle injury picked up in a game at Manchester United last October meant a spell on the sidelines for Stones, but he was able to use the time wisely.

As he told the Liverpool Echo: "Unfortunately I got this injury but it has made me stronger, more knowledgeable about the game because when I’ve been on the sidelines watching the game the gaffer told me to use the time wisely."

Studying some of the best would have improved his game no end, and it is that willingness to learn from others that will stand him in good stead for the remainder of his career, especially if he plays a season or two alongside Terry.

Weakness: Inexperience

EuroFootball/Getty Images

We’re reaching a little here, but a lack of experience at the summit of the English and European game might be a cause for concern for some at the beginning of Stones’ potential Chelsea career.

Young defenders have to cut their teeth somewhere, and he has done that impressively at Everton, but with a British-record fee for a defender perhaps hanging like a millstone around his neck, he may struggle to adapt to the pressures and expectations at his new club.

He possesses the ability to become a firm favourite with the club, but until he’s thrust into the action, that lack of experience will be a concern.