Roberto Martinez says the performances of teenage defender John Stones have been “phenomenal” this season.
And the Everton boss has told the Goodison Park faithful: “We have a special player on our hands.”
Stones produced another solid display in the weekend’s 3-2 win over Swansea City and Martinez has been mighty impressed by the 19-year-old’s development since he made his first-team breakthrough last summer.
The £3m signing from Barnsley has made 18 appearances for the Blues this season and started the last five matches in place of the injured Phil Jagielka.
Everton’s captain has recovered from his hamstring complaint and is in contention for tonight’s trip to Newcastle United but Martinez will have no problem asking his young understudy Stones to fill in once again.
