Should Everton consider bringing back John Stones amid Manchester City exit rumours?

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It seems that Manchester City could be ready to offload John Stones, according to reports. The Times reports that the England international’s career at The Etihad is in doubt, with Pep Guardiola eyeing a list of replacements for the player. 

It comes at a time where Stones is battling both for form and fitness at the club and with England. 

So where could he go?

Arsenal has already been mentioned as a possible destination. But should Everton consider bringing their former player back?

Stones left Goodison Park to join City in a deal reported by the BBC to be in the region of £47.5 million. 

Byt the time he left Everton, many fans on Merseyside were fed up with his risk-taking defensive style which had started to cost the club points. 

So convincing some Everton fans into bringing Stones back might not be the easiest move.

But it is clear that Everton are still lacking at centre-back. Whilst Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina have recently found some form, Michael Keane has struggled and behind him, there is little other option. 

Stones would undoubtedly be a welcome addition to the club’s defensive department and Carlo Ancelotti would love to have a player with his technical abilities to work with in defence. 

In that respect, Holgate, Mina, and Keane do not come close to Stones and if Everton are hoping to build a side ready for European football, as Ancelotti’s appointment suggests, then a player like Stones will be needed at the back. 

But, overall, it must be considered if bringing back Stones would be a step in the right direction. He left Everton under something of a cloud amid his poor form and a transfer request 12 months earlier. On top of that, he would be an expensive addition, even if signed on loan, considering his massive City wages. 

Whilst some of the remaining Stones loyalists from his time at Everton might consider his return beneficial, Everton would be better off going in a new and unvisited direction.