‘Terrific’ – England international told to join Leeds on loan by broadcaster
TalkSPORT host Adrian Durham has told Manchester City and England defender John Stones to join Leeds United on loan.
Stones, 26, has struggled for game-time at the Etihad this season with his career seemingly stalling under Pep Guardiola.
However broadcast journalist Durham believes that a temporary move to Elland Road, to be managed by Marcelo Bielsa, would make a lot of sense for Stones.
“I do believe in the Leeds thing,” Durham said on talkSPORT. “Now, a lot of people will look at this and say ‘They’ve just got promoted.’
“There’s no way a guy who was starting in a World Cup semi-final, a Nations League semi-final in the last two years and won two titles is going to go from Man City to Leeds.
“But, the loan move is exactly what I was thinking. Leeds have had Ben White, who has been on loan from Brighton.
“If they can get him, then obviously they go for him. Because he’s been with them for a year and Bielsa loves him, the fans love him and he is a terrific player who can play centre-back or in midfield.
“So if that happens, this really isn’t a debate. However, if they can’t get Ben White because I think bigger clubs are sniffing around, I think a loan move to take John Stones back to his home county of Yorkshire might be the way forward.
“Because look at what Bielsa does with players; improves them. Now, we know John Stones is capable of quality, but he needs that right coaching and the right man-management.
“And I am absolutely convinced that after a season with Bielsa at Leeds United, he would come out of it next May a million dollars and a much better player than he is now.”
Stones would be the perfect replacement for White as they are two very similar defenders.
We understand that Stones has had a tough couple of seasons at Man City but that does not mean he’s not good enough for a newly-promoted team in the Premier League.
The former Everton defender would be a massive coup for Leeds.
However there is a big issue with Durham’s suggestion because the Whites are already signing Jack Harrison on another loan from Man City and Premier League rules say that you cannot have more than one player on loan from the same top-flight club.
If Leeds were going to sign Stones, it would have to be on a permanent basis and as we assume he’s earning a lot of money at the Etihad, we do not see that happening.
In other Leeds United news, Luke Ayling has paid tribute to a former Leeds player after winning promotion.