Rio Ferdinand has told the Daily Mail that John Stones needs to join West Ham United and leave Manchester City.
West Ham are said to be interested in the £20 million-rated central defender (The Sun).
And while Ferdinand admits that moving to the London Stadium may be a step down, he feels that Stones has reached the stage where he needs to be playing regularly now.
“He really has to look at himself and his situation closely,” Ferdinand said.
“With the Euros coming up next year, he has to make a big decision. In fact, I don’t even think it’s a big decision to leave – it’s just the right decision. If he wants to be a top centre-half and play for England again, he can’t stay at City.’
“(David) Moyes knows him. It would be a massive drop in expectation from a club point of view but needs must sometimes.
“Where’s he going to go get a game? That’s what he needs to think about. He needs to play football. He’s not played consistent football consecutively for how long now?”
If Stones was to move to West Ham the likelihood is that he would be given regular starts.
The England international would have to break into the team ahead of Angelo Ogbonna or Issa Diop, and Stones would surely feel confident of doing that.
Although the 26-year-old has made too many errors at City, on his day he remains a fine talent.
Stones is brilliant with the ball at his feet, and does possess some strong defensive qualities.
And if West Ham were to land him, he could turn out to be an excellent addition to the Hammers’ squad for next season.
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