The defender has been strongly linked with Chelsea
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has urged John Stones to reject Chelsea in order to stay with Everton.
The Blues have tabled three bids for the centre-back already in this transfer window, all of which have been rejected by the Toffees.
However, reports from the Daily Express suggest that Chelsea are preparing a fourth bid of around £40 million for the England international.
Carragher has insisted that a move to Stamford Bridge for Stones is far too early in his career, but he could see it happening in the future.
‘He’s almost guaranteed to play week in, week out at Everton’
When speaking to talkSPORT, Carragher said: “Every player should want to play at the highest level and win trophies, play in the Champions League and play for his country. That’s the aim of every player. It’s just what is the right time for the player to go?”
He also added: “I think the right thing for John Stones would be to play for another couple of years at Everton. He’s playing really well but you have ups and downs as a young player, especially as a defender where you can make a couple of mistakes, give away a penalty, and your confidence goes. That’s part of being a defender and learning your trade.”
“I think it would be better for him to know he’s almost guaranteed to play week in, week out for Everton, go through those times with Everton, and then when he eventually gets his move to a top English club, as he will do, he’ll be going there a bit more experienced, a better player, and a bit more mature in his game,” suggested the Sky Sports pundit.
“When you get to that really top level, any little mistake, anything that’s not quite right, can cost your team a draw, or you drop three points, and that can end up costing a team the league title, or seeing them knocked out the Champions League.
You don’t want to be learning on the job when you’re at a top club. I think it would be better for him to spend another couple of years at Everton and then make that move.”
