Thursday 16 October 2014 12:03, UK
Former England midfielder Peter Reid expects young Everton defender John Stones to establish himself as a mainstay of the national side.
Stones made his Everton debut last season and a series of eye-catching performances led to the youngster making Roy Hodgson’s provisional squad for the World Cup earlier this summer.
The 20-year-old began the campaign partnering Phil Jagielka at the heart of Everton’s defence but is currently sidelined after sustaining an ankle injury.
Stones is out until Christmas but Reid believes the defender, who made his first international start in last month’s friendly with Norway, will feature heavily for England in the future.
Stones has really impressed me. I think John is going to be an England centre-back for years to come.
“It’s unfortunate that he recently picked up this injury because he’s one of a number of good players that are really improving at Everton," Reid told Sky Sports.
"James McCarthy is another one in the middle of the pitch that looks good but Stones has really impressed me. I think John is going to be an England centre-back for years to come.
"He’s a young man with a really cool head on his shoulders and I think he’s going to be England’s centre-half for a long time long going forward. For such a big and tall lad he’s really composed on the ball.
"The higher the level you get to as a player, the more you need to have the ability to handle the football and he does it as good as anyone from a defensive point of view. He’s also a really good passer of the ball."
Former Everton star Reid is currently manager of Mumbai City in the Indian Super League and the ex-Sunderland and England U21 boss admitted he’s still adjusting to his new role.
"It’s a little bit warm for me here but I’m getting used to it," he said. "I have really enjoyed working with the players here so far and we’ve got a lot of work to do over the next couple of months."
