Ex-Manchester City ace Trevor Sinclair: 'Break the bank for John Stones'

Ex-Manchester City ace Trevor Sinclair has said that Everton's John Stones could develop into one of the game's best ever defenders - one that he would love to see at Eastlands.

Stones, 21, was the subject of intense speculation during a summer transfer window which saw Chelsea repeatedly knocked back by the Toffees, with their largest bid a reported £30m.

The centre-back has courted praise for his ball-playing talent as well as his reading of the game, and Sinclair feels that the Sky Blues cannot let one of their Premier League rivals snap him up.

"Stones is potentially one of the best ever," he is quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News.

"The way he is playing, he is going to inspire a new generation of centre-halves who want to play, who don't want to just hoof it, who want to get the ball down and have the confidence and the ability to get themselves out of tight situations and start attacks.

"It would be great if [City] could get someone like John Stones. [But] I'm sure Everton don't want to let him go and I'm sure there will be a lot of big teams in for him because he is top drawer."

The youngster has seven England caps under his belt.