LISTEN: Rio Ferdinand calls radio show to defend Everton’s John Stones

When your team loses 4-3 at home, your central defenders are bound to come in for a bit of stick, especially when one of them gives away a last-minute penalty, albeit in controversial circumstances.

John Stones has been the recipient of plenty of praise this season for his cultured style of play and his ability on the ball, but yesterday he took plenty of flak, including from callers to BBC 606 with Jason Mohammad and Robbie Savage. https://twitter.com/RobbieSavage8/status/681794556032069633 Listening in, former Manchester United defender turned pundit Rio Ferdinand, who was well able to play a bit of ball in his day, felt compelled to call in and defend 21-year old Stones, who he believes could go on to play for the likes of Barcelona or Real Madrid and captain England one day. https://twitter.com/rioferdy5/status/681800729242243073 An endorsement from someone of Ferdinand’s calibre will no doubt give Stones plenty of confidence and it was a fairly admirable gesture on Rio’s part to stick up for a guy finding himself in the same position as he was at the same age.