Why John Stones has proven he'd be instant Leeds United fan favourite
John Stones is exactly what a Leeds United centre-back should be.
Daniel Farke isn't messing around when it comes to strengthening the heart of his Leeds defence this summer.
Tarik Muharemovic has now completed his £34.1million move to Elland Road, and the Whites don't appear to be ending their centre-back recruitment drive with the Bosnian.
Stones' name has been cropping up in Leeds transfer circles this summer, with the 32-year-old free agent's stock rising after a good individual World Cup with England.
Indeed, his performances in North America will have caught the attention of many potential suitors, and served to prove that he's far from past his best despite being let go from Man City.
Leeds would be making one of the bargain buys of the Premier League summer window if Stones signs on the dotted line, and he's a player that the Elland Road faithful would absolutely adore.
How John Stones was one of Premier League's best in 'Leedsy' areas last season
MOT Leeds News has been covering Leeds' reported desire to keep Stones in English football this summer, amid significant talk of major interest from top Italian sides.
With only his salary to cover, the Three Lions star would bring vast quantities of experience across all levels of the game to West Yorkshire.
But it's not just his highly decorated CV on offer, as the Barnsley-born defender is the kind of player who just looks made for Leeds United.
The Elland Road crowd love players who cover every blade of grass, play with swagger and confidence and put their bodies on the line for the badge.
As shown via his underlying numbers from his 2025-26 Premier League campaign via FotMob, there wasn't many central defenders in England's top flight who ticked those boxes better than Stones did last year.
Stones' 84.6 per cent aerial duels win rate ranked him in the top 2.2 percentile of all Premier League centre-backs last term.
Meanwhile, his 70 per cent duels won rate placed him in the leading 6.7 per cent of his positional rivals, whilst his 1.23 blocked shots per 90 put him in the top 12.2 per cent respectively.
He also finished among the best in his position per game for possessions won in the final third (0.21), recoveries (3.90), successful dribbles (0.41) and successful passes (93.4 per cent) respectively.
Stones hasn't just proven himself as still being a quality defender in the Premier League either, as his aforementioned World Cup campaign with England has reaffirmed his place among the best across the globe.
How Stones' World Cup numbers compared with other central defenders
England were, of course, dumped out of the World Cup this summer in the semi-finals to Argentina.
It was an extremely tough defeat to take for everyone connected to the Three Lions, as Thomas Tuchel's side came agonisingly close to having their shot at ending 60 years of hurt.
As the time for reflection on England's tournament begins, Stones' performances should and will go down as one of the big bright spots.
Not factoring in England's third place game against France on Saturday night, Stones played five times at the World Cup, starting three and culminating 330 minutes of tournament action.
As per FotMob, Stones' 96.8 per cent passing accuracy put him in the top 3.2 per cent of all central defenders at the tournament.
He was also among the best in his position for his 66.7 per cent long ball accuracy, 70 per cent aerial duels won and his 0.27 fouls committed per 90 respectively.
So, if Stones does signal his interest in signing for Leeds this summer, Whites chiefs should have zero hesitations inking him to a contract so long as his wage demands are reasonable.