25 Jan 2016 08:45:51
Going to steer away from the awful performance saturday and talk about potential transfers.

I've noticed there is a divide between Laporte from Bilbao and Stones from Everton. Both being similar ages and probably the best two defenders at their age. Laporte is by far the better defender right now and that's probably due to being in first team football longer and (my opinion) in a easier league. Where as Stones is showing real promise for someone who came onto the scene only a year ago, is great on the ball but not as good at defending in comparison to Laporte.

I was wondering who would you lot prefer? Myself being English I will always chose our home nation over anything else so Stones would be perfect. Plus I love to see young English talent at the club, feels like we're contributing to the national teams future (not too bright however) . So Stones would be my personal pick.

However I understand why some would want Laporte over Stones. I was wondering who you guys would rather have and why? Or if you'd prefer a completely different player, who would it be?

1.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 09:22:21
stones.
all ready doing it in the EPL.

2.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 09:44:30
Tbh each time I've seen Stones play he's made big errors in judgement, I think it's come from the may Martinez wants his defence to pass out. He's going to be a great defender tho.

3.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 09:47:12
Laporte wouldn't be as expensive because he not home grown and just as good plus more realistic target with so many clubs after stones.

4.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 09:47:19
Laporte - left footed CB, good on the ball and showing excellent development in positioning etc.

Stones - right footed CB, great on the ball and potential to reach Rio levels.

Sign both, that's CB sorted for a decade.

5.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 09:52:27
Both good players, both good on the ball. I know may people want CB's who are good on the ball, but we need CB's who can, first and foremost, defend!
That is the job of a defender. There are plenty of 'ball players' in front of them.
I know he has been dismissed by many on here, but I think Ashley Williams would be a good, and more importantly, realistic option in the short term.

6.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 09:58:53
stones and reid for me.

7.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 10:06:17
I'd be happy with somebody like Williams for the short term, but like Jred if a short term player came in I'd root for Winston Reid, been a fan of him for a few years now.

I think we need at least two defenders. One being Stones/ Laporte or another promising youngster and the other being a more experienced player to have as back up would be perfect.

8.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 10:44:10
I'd be happy with either Stones or Laporte as both are a massive up grade on what we have.

Stones reminds me of a young Rio Ferdinand, the way he passes the ball, and the way he steps out of defence and seems to glide up the pitch. But just like Rio he seems to have concentration lapses and makes silly errors.

But he is English which I feel is important, and he is young and his faults can easily be fixed with training and a little time.

Laporte is less likely to push forward with the ball, and is better in his densive work than Stones. But he wants to play for one of the top Spanish teams, so that would always be a worry for me.

I'd probably prefer Stones, but certainly wouldn't be upset if we got Laporte. I don't think its a good idea signing both, as I think both would benefit from having a more experienced player alongside them.

Reid would be good, but another who seems to have drifted out of consideration with most people is Garay. He has top level experience, strong on the ball, in the tackle and in the air.

9.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 10:44:34
Laporte would be expensive as he has recently signed a new contract or an improved one, and with Bilbao there is always a buyout clause, which we know we had with Herrera.
According to Ed002 we were not looking at Laporte and is a potential for City or Barca.

10.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 12:06:25
The best partnership we had was Ferdinand and Vidic - one was classy on the ball and come out of defence. The other was a bruiser and hard man. Stones is the new Ferdinand, I doubt Smalling is the Vidic. We need a player like Reid who is physical.

11.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 13:44:33
We need Laporte AND Stones. Not one or the other. Slight preference would be Stones as he's proven in the Prem / would need less time to settle etc.

12.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 15:17:22
I do not want us to sign anyone as it means lvg will still be in charge get rid of him first then talk about signings can't believe he's not resigned the arrogance of the guy is unbelievable.

13.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 16:09:39
Nach would you resign and miss out on millions just before your retirement? He will want to turn this around, or at least ride it out until he receives his final pay check.

14.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 15:47:41
Raphael Varane would be my first choice. Him and smalling could be a good partnership in my opinion.

15.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 17:04:05
The decision shouldn't be in his hands were playing with fire here if we persevere with him he we won't make top 4 if we had sacked him at Xmas we could have had a great chance of even winning the league the leagues that bad this year it was there for the taking
I honest don't blame the players I blame him and his philosophy and his lack of motivation he's going through the motions until he retires and our club is suffering in the process it's unbelievable how the board can't see this.

16.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 17:58:00
Is it just me or is Stones vastly overrated? Everton are very dodgy at the back in my opinion. I know anointing that has to do with Martinez having no idea how to defend, but she still makes a lot of mistakes and at £50m that is madness. He is nowhere near as good as Rio was at his age. I think he has a great chance of making it, but he is not a £50m player.

17.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 17:13:27
What about Morgan at Leicester? Having great season, solid and not even been booked.

18.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 18:43:19
eric
i think he is very much like ferdy at that age.

19.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 19:15:35
Laporte and stones please.