John Stones would be a lunatic to join Chelsea, says Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand has advised John Stones to reject any offer to join Chelsea, suggesting that Manchester United would be a better fit for the Everton youngster.

Ferdinand believes that Stones' playing time would be limited were he to make the switch to the Premier League champions, and that the Everton youngster would have more opportunities at Old Trafford.

“If he goes to Man United, he plays every week so that’s the right club for him,” Rio said at a BT Sport launch event for the coming season.

“If he goes to Chelsea, he’s not playing every week. He’s at that stage of his development where he wants to play every week. If you say to any young footballer to leave a club to sit on the bench, you’ve got to be a lunatic."

Even though Stones, a boyhood United fan, has little experience internationally and is yet to sample the Champions League football, Ferdinand has seen enough to be convinced of his quality.

“He’s very good on the ball,” he added. “I took a real interest in him and watched him at Loftus Road against Bobby Zamora, who gave most centre-halves problems last season physically, and he handled Bobby well, and that physical element.

"That was one of the areas that I hadn’t really seen him under pressure with and he looked up for that battle. With all the other stuff he’s got, he’s got a real good chance.”