Despite Chelsea’s pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix, it has emerged that the Blues could sign free agent John Stones after his contract expired at Manchester City.
At the start of the summer, Joe Cole ordered his old club to consider Stones and Robert Lewandowski. It appears the Blues have listened to half of Cole’s advice, with a possible move for Stones forthcoming.
Who would you rather Chelsea sign, John Stones or Maxence Lacroix?
Stones has been with England this summer as Thomas Tuchel guided the Three Lions to the bronze medal and a 6-4 win over France in the third-place play-off. Now, Stones will be actively looking for a new home.
Chelsea are said to have added Stones to their shortlist, as Xabi Alonso looks to bring in some older players at Stamford Bridge. If he does move to West London, he will join a team built around Cole Palmer.
What John Stones has previously said about Cole Palmer
Even the £117m addition of Morgan Rogers will not oust Palmer from his preferred no.10 role. In talks to get Rogers, the Aston Villa ace was told he would be the starting option on the left, rather than centrally.
That is how much Chelsea and Alonso believe in Palmer. Clearly, that confidence in the former Man City star is shared by Stones, who is quoted by the Express & Star as saying this about Palmer back in 2024.
“I was a huge fan of Cole as soon as he came into our first-team set-up, what he brought to the game, how he played as if he was in the park. I was sad to see him leave; I made him aware of that,” Stones said.
“But what he has gone on and done is a credit to him, how he’s conducted himself, how he’s stepped up in big moments. He is in a good moment, and I hope that continues for as long as possible,” he added.
If Chelsea sign Stones and Lacroix, how many need to go?
Chelsea are reportedly ‘one step away’ from signing Lacroix, and that would be a stunning addition, even if the Blues are forced to part with as much as £60m. Stones would be another incredible summer deal.
The issue is that Chelsea already have 10 centre-backs. Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong, Jorrel Hato, Mamadou Sarr, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Tosin, Aaron Anselmino and Trevoh Chalobah.
Chelsea have 10 centre-backs – who are YOU getting rid of? ❌
Colwill and Acheampong are 'untouchable'.
- Josh Acheampong
- Levi Colwill
- Jorrel Hato
- Wesley Fofana
- Trevoh Chalobah
- Mamadou Sarr
- Benoit Badiashile
- Aaron Anselmino
- Tosin Adarabioyo
- Axel Disasi
Colwill and Acheampong are deemed ‘untouchables’, while Hato should be after his second half to the season. There is a plan in place for Anselmino to show what he can do, before a decision is then made.
Chalobah is set for Como, Sarr has interest, Badiashile is a target for Newcastle and Napoli, Fofana is a source of frustration for supporters and Disasi is likely to go. But Tosin could stay for leadership reasons.
Should Tosin and Anselmino remain, alongside Colwill, Hato and Acheampong, as well as Stones and Lacroix, then Chelsea would still have too many options. Something has got to give for Stones to join.
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