David Moyes has praised Everton starlet John Stones, insisting that the 21-year-old will "go on to big things".

The centre-back joined the Toffees from Barnsley for £3m in Moyes's final action as manager in 2013, and has since gone on to establish himself as a key member of the first team.

"This boy's coming on like nobody," Moyes told Sky Sports News. "He's coming on with great quality and great ability on the ball. He's playing with really good defenders and that's what's surprising me a bit about Everton.

"Players like Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka... he's in with some really good players who know how to defend well, but John is different, he's very comfortable on the ball, which gives the side a good starting point.

"They like to start games from the back, but John will go on to big things, I've no doubt about that."

Stones has been subject of an aggressive transfer pursuit from Chelsea, who are reported to have made a bid of £45m for his services in recent days.