Terry Heaps Praise On Chelsea Transfer Target John Stones

Chelsea FC defender John Terry has spoken of his admiration for the young English centre-back, who is reportedly a transfer target for Jos Mourinho this summer

In the latest indication yet that the Premier League champions are interested in adding the former Barnsley centre-half to their defensive ranks, captain John Terry has recently enthused about the youngster and his importance to English football. Although there is no doubt that this was an honest appraisal from the Chelsea legend, it could a to an extent a help the Blues in their bid to bring Stones to south-west London.

Speaking to talkSPORT, the former England captain was effusive in his praise of the 21-year-old Everton centre-back. a I have seen a lot of games and I am a big fan of his,a Terry said. a He pulls wide of the box and wants the ball and for a young defender to do that in the Premier League takes some guts.

a He is exceptional with both feet, he is a ball-playing centre half which you need to be these days. .

a He is extremely confident. He looks to play from the back and that can only be good for English football that the likes of him are coming through. He is definitely one I have been impressed by.a

Jos Mourinho has confirmed that he is on the lookout for a defender during the summer, and John Stones could well be high up on his list. Although Rapha l Varane is reportedly the man Mourinho most wants, it is unlikely that the Frenchman will leave Real Madrid this summer, with the opportunity to stake his claim for a starting spot by impressing new manager Rafael Ben tez.

Stonesa composure on the ball and technical ability mean that he is more suited than Gary Cahill to the expansive style of football that Chelsea played last season a particularly up to Christmas. In addition to the qualities that Terry outlined, Stones would present the significant advantage of helping to fill Chelseaa s a home-growna player quota.

Having signed for Everton for a fee of just A?3m, he is likely to cost any suitors upwards of A?20m given his potential and demand. Whether or not Mourinho decides to invest in Stones given that Chelsea have no dearth of young centre-backs on their books a including Kurt Zouma who impressed last season a remains to be seen.

Stones is currently away in the Czech Republic with the England U21 squad and is scheduled to make a return from injury when Gareth Southgatea s side take on Italy on Wednesday. The Everton centre-half is by far Englanda s most experienced and talented defender and Southgate will be relieved to have him available again.

Meanwhile, John Terry spoke to talkSPORT from China, where he was invited by the Guangzhou Football Association to accept an award, and was named an a ambassador of football culturea for the Guangzhou FA.

The centre-half, having played every single minute of the recently concluded Premier League season, is on a well-deserved break and will join up with the Blues squad when pre-season training resumes in mid-July.