Rio Ferdinand called in to the BBC's '606' radio phone-in last night to defend Everton centre-half John Stones from supporters' "rubbish" criticism.
Former England and Manchester United defender Ferdinand felt compelled to respond to an earlier caller to the Radio 5live programme, an Everton fan who was frustrated with the 21-year-old Stones' role in their 4-3 defeat at home to Stoke earlier in the day.
"He's the best ball-playing centre-half about at the moment.
"I heard the caller earlier and it's just typical of people in this country – 'oh he's made a mistake, he tries to do too many flash things'. Give the kid a chance to play and to grow and to make mistakes.
"You've got to make mistakes as a young kid, allow him to do that. Because potentially he could go and play for Barcelona, Real Madrid, the top clubs in this country, and be the captain of England."
Stones conceded a 90th-minute penalty on Monday, which Stoke duly converted to win the match at Goodison Park. Replays later showed that Stones got a touch on the ball before bringing down the Stoke player.
Everton, who signed Stones from Barnsley in 2013 for £3million, fought off sustained interest from Chelsea in the summer.
Bids of £20million, £26million and £30million were all rejected and Roberto Martinez fiercely kept hold of his young prodigy, despite the player himself handing in a transfer request.
"You can build a team around this kind of kid," Ferdinand continued.
"When I came through, [then-manager of West Ham] Harry Redknapp used to say to me: 'Make mistakes, don't worry. But don't make the same ones all the time'.
"If John Stones has got that, as I'm sure he has with [Everton manager Roberto] Martinez, he'll become a better player. But you've got to stick with him.
John Stones' fateful last-minute foul on Stoke's Marko Arnautovic
"I think most Everton supporters are going to stick with him but you get the odd guy who comes on and says the rubbish that the geezer was talking about before."
Love the fact @rioferdy5 phoned in @bbc606 to defend john stones https://t.co/xr3NWzqYsg
— Robbie Savage (@RobbieSavage8) December 29, 2015
Let the lad play and learn from his mistakes!! #johnstones #efc https://t.co/AWGQAVoQ5w
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) December 29, 2015
@lee_hughes1989 And John Terry and Rio Ferdinand weren't? Stones might want concentrate on defending first, 'than being able to play'.
— Kaylum O'Kane (@KaylumSCFC1863) December 28, 2015
Stones has clocked up 71 senior appearances for Everton and has already won seven caps for England, having progressed through the youth categories.
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