The Stoke City defender might be the perfect replacement for Stones.
Everton fans are starting to seriously consider the idea that they will be without John Stones for next season.
The England international has already been the subject of one unsuccessful bid from Chelsea and they are now said to be eyeing up another approach for the player.
The Mirror reported yesterday that Chelsea were ready to make a British record for a defender approach for the player, who is fast becoming one of Chelsea’s top priorities for the summer.
So if Everton do sell him, with the fee being mentioned as in excess of £31.9 million, who should they try to sign in his place?
Surely a move for a player they reportedly failed to sign last summer would make sense.
In August 2014 it was claimed by the Daily Mail, among others, that Everton had failed in a bid for Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross.
The Potters captain has established himself as one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League.
In the past he was noted for his brutish ability and dominating aerial presence, in particular during the reign of Tony Pulis at the Britannia Stadium.
However, under Mark Hughes he has shown that he also has the technical aptitude and ground game expected of a graduate from the Manchester United academy.
Stoke would rightly want a lot for the player, but Shawcross, from Chester in the North-West, would be a fantastic buy at just 27-years-old if Stones was to leave.
In fact, with Phil Jagielka the ‘wrong’ side of 30, even if Stones does stick around Everton would do well to snap up Shawcross at the lowest price possible.
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