Stones is over-hyped and over-rated – Adams

Manchester City defender John Stones has been targeted by Tony Adams for being “over-hyped and over-rated”.

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The former Arsenal captain has hit out at various figures in recent times, including his former manager, Arsene Wenger, and Mesut Ozil. 

Now the 23-year-old Manchester City centre-back, who moved to the Etihad Stadium for £47 million, is the latest target, with Adams comparing him to journeyman professional of his era Tony Gale.

“I have always had my doubts about him; considered him to be average in all honesty, despite this hyping of him as a ball-using defender,” Adams, who recently lost seven matches out of seven as Granada coach, is quoted by the Daily Mirror as having said.

“I saw him as a Tony Gale — a centre-back who passed the ball well, and was good enough to win a Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, but who did not win an England cap.

“Such is the dearth of English ball-playing defenders though, that Manchester City were willing to pay nearly £50m for Stones.”

Adams spent a 22-year career playing centre-back for Arsenal and won 66 caps for England during that time.