Stones is an average defender and his passing ability is hyped up
ADAMS GIVES HIS DAMNING VERDICT ON CITY’S YOUNG STAR, LABELLING HIM A “TONY GALE” WHO WON A TITLE BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO WIN AN ENGLAND CAP
FORMER England captain Tony Adams has labelled John Stones “overhyped and overrated.”
Adams says there is a dearth of topquality defenders and that is why Manchester City were willing to pay £50million for the England centre-half.
Ex-Arsenal skipper Adams makes the claims in his new book (Sober), which delivers a damning verdict on the standard of modern-day defending in the Premier League.
Adams even compares Stones (in action, right) to exWest Ham and Blackburn defender Tony Gale (left), who won the Premier League title but was never capped.
Adams said: “John Stones was hailed as a great new English central defender, first at Everton and then at Manchester City.
“But I have always had my doubts about him.
“I’ve always considered him to be average, despite this hyping of him as a ballusing defender. I saw him as
a Tony Gale, a centre-back who passed the ball well and who was good enough to win a Premier League with Blackburn Rovers but who did not win an England cap.
“Such is the dearth of English ball-playing defenders, though, that Manchester City were willing to pay nearly £50m for Stones.”
Adams marshalled England’s defence in a golden era and at Arsenal partnered Sol Campbell, who also enjoyed a great career for club and country.
England have also boasted John Terry and Rio Ferdinand in their ranks before the so-called Golden Generation gave way to the current crop.
Former England bosses Roy Hodgson and Sam Allardyce even toyed with the idea of bringing Terry out of retirement, such was the lack of centre-back options. But now Gareth Southgate may join the back-three revolution for this weekend’s World Cup qualifier against Scotland, having tried it in a friendly in March.
Southgate could use the back three because of a lack of options for the midfield anchorman role – Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson is a long-term injury concern while Jack Wilshere has gone backwards.
That leaves just Eric Dier as a holding midfielder and is the reason why Southgate will look to a back three while also having options at wingback.
It is the current trend among Premier League teams after Antonio Conte used the system to lead Chelsea to the title.
England also have greater numbers in central defence – even if there are question marks over quality – with Chris Smalling, Stones, Gary Cahill and Phil Jones. Burnley star Michael Keane, a target for Manchester United, is another to emerge and, even though he is out injured this time, he did report to St George’s Park yesterday to show the squad his support.