Whither Welch if Stones is being considered?

John Stones, the former Everton protege who made his name as Manchester City's Number 5, sees his contract expire at the end of the season, and the media claims there is a “chance” of the England international moving to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Regardless of whether John Stones does return to Everton or not, the mere fact David Moyes might be considering a reunion would suggest the Glaswegian has no plans to keep Everton Academy product Reece Welch around.

The 22-year-old sees his own contract expire at the end of the campaign, but there could be an opening for him at Everton if he does secure a contract extension, with Michael Keane expected to leave on a free transfer this summer.

Even if Stones or Senesi do not join Everton, the signing of a proper right-back would most likely see Jake O’Brien move away from that area and return to his natural position in the centre of defence. However, if a deal for Stones is already being targeted – with Marco Senesi another option for Everton – it would suggest neither Moyes nor The Friedkin Group consider Welch ready to step up.

The England U20 international has made just one senior appearance this season, playing 4 minutes of the FA Cup defeat. He has also been named on the bench for 8 Premier League games this season, but never brought on.

So... Stones or Welch? And with the prospect of Keane leaving at the end of the season, where does that leave two of Everton's other centre-backs, James Tarkowski and Jake O'Brien?

Reader Comments (31)

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Michael Kenrick 2 Posted 17/02/2026 at 21:30:19

This is what the lad said 3½-years ago, when he was given a nice 4-year contract:

“I've been at this club since I was seven years old and seen so many players come through the academy into the first team and I've always wanted to be one of those. Now I've been in and around there, it inspires me to take the next step.

“I want to kick on in the first team, look to make a few more appearances and show what I'm about. I want to wear this blue shirt in the Premier League and, long-term, help Everton to success.

“Everton fans want hard work, dedication and passion for the Club and if I can give that, hopefully I'll be able to do a good job for Everton.”

Then there's his loan with KMSK Deinze (Who?) in Belgium's second tier. Reece Welch joined them on a season-long loan from Everton in September 2024, but the move was cut short just a few months later. Great idea for young up-and-coming stars of the Academy, this loan business...

His loan ended prematurely due to severe off-pitch issues at the club. Reports indicate that KMSK Deinze faced significant financial trouble, including a bankruptcy declaration that led the club to cease operations at that time. Oh bugger... but he musta got some decent experience while he was there? Otherwise, what's the point?

No... turns out his time on the pitch was very limited. He played in only 3 matches total for the Belgian side — two in the league and one in the cup. Since returning from Belgium, he has been playing for Everton U21s, but now at 22 he's getting to be too old for that.

Seems certain his contract will be allowed to run down and he will walk away from 15 years at the club with nothing to show for it on either side. Stones coming back would just rub salt in what I imagine would be very deep wounds.

Ian Bennett 3 Posted 17/02/2026 at 21:57:14

I sadly think he will end up at League 1 or 2, rather than the Premier League.

He won't be the first youth player to represent England Youth but not go on to forge a top-flight career.

Peter Clarke, Steven Schumacher, Ryan Ledson, JonJoe Kenny, Lewis Gibson, Liam Walsh, Luke Garbutt etc etc etc.

There are many more, and I think it's a sad reflection that promising kids have gone to academies, earnt a couple of bob, and seen careers stall. Perhaps it does reflect that 18 odd players are just kept on to be teammates for that one bet that might make it. Pretty humbling when players & parents have put their lives on hold from U7s till U21s to be a support cast.

I often wonder, if they'd have gone on to better things by going to a League One or Two side, how many more kids would be coming through the system?

4 Posted 17/02/2026 at 23:13:29

That's an interesting thought, Ian, but just unknowable whether as a youth player you stand a better chance of reaching the big time if you joined a Category 2 or Category 3 Academy rather than one of the Big Clubs in Category 1.

I say "Big Clubs" but Category 1 is now up to 29 Clubs, so half of the Championship are in there too, each with let's say two 20-man squads to provide the numbers at U18 and U21. That's at least 1,200 'elite' academy players hoping to make their mark... but in most cases, just "making up the numbers" instead.

Something that Tony might have insight on...

Kieran Kinsella 5 Posted 18/02/2026 at 03:09:33

Paul,

Bit of a strange article. Were you still holding out hope for Welch?

I know defenders sometimes mature more slowly but Pennington for example had made more of a mark by this age before going to the lower leagues.

That said, I don't want us to blow a fortune on an injury-prone Stones for nostalgia reasons. That would be a classic Kenwright move.

Ian Wilkins 6 Posted 18/02/2026 at 04:45:50

I think a little honest reflection is due.

Reece Welch has had a few opportunities at senior level, has been loaned out several times, but at senior level has never cut the mustard.

There is a decent player in there but at a more junior level of football. He will hopefully forge a decent career at a lower level and I wish him well, but John Stones comparisons being pushed out... seriously?

Alan J Thompson 7 Posted 18/02/2026 at 04:53:50

The only reason I think we might want Stones is that some sort of a deal is being put together for Grealish to stay but not with any cash transfer fee being involved. The question is who if anybody would be going the other way? Dewsbury-Hall and Branthwaite would seem the most likely names.

This could be being leaked now to soften up the support but taking players who have turned 30 merely delays any cash outlay for a couple of seasons at best and while Keane's contract may be up this season what is the situation with Tarkowski.

As for Welch, what goes on at our Academy that it takes 15 years to decide if players are good enough? We should be taking them on at a later age, after Primary school albeit it seems the way of most Premier League clubs. Or let them go earlier... or are the coaching staff frightened they will make it elsewhere?

Thank heavens we have our super duper if silent Transfer Committee, assuming he who has the final word will be here next season.

Eric Myles 8 Posted 18/02/2026 at 05:31:34

An experienced, albeit injury prone, 31-year-old or an untried 22-year-old. Who would Moyes pick?

I doubt Man City are looking to extend his contract even as he's not featured for them that much for a few seasons now and they have surely moved on from him?

But if Keane's time is up, we'll need a stop-gap replacement for him for a few seasons until we sign a right-back, and Stones will be on a free.

Jim Bennings 9 Posted 18/02/2026 at 05:55:28

At 22, if he hasn't made a breakthrough by now, it's very much unlikely he will.

Most of our academy products never make it at top flight level, many are lucky if they even forge a career in the Championship.

People think the step up from the Under-21s to the men's first team and Premier League is a small one, it's not, it's a massive gulf these days and anyone who watches the Under-21s can tell you the same.

Ian Bennett 10 Posted 18/02/2026 at 07:02:25

If the lads were at League One or Two clubs without the academy system, I'd think there would be more getting regular first-team football. And if good enough, bought by teams from higher and higher divisions, until ultimately they're playing in the Premier League with 50-100 games under their belt

It would never happen, but there's an argument that a draft system of talent going into league clubs would be a better useage of resources.

I often hear that the players are receiving the best coaching in the world and the best facilities. And that without that level of support, players will never go unnoticed into the professional game like days gone past, as they've missed years of academy development.

It begs the question, why the academies are producing so little?

Whoever sent him on loan to Belgium needs sacking right away. Talk about due fucking diligence, sending a young player to a foreign country, to a club in an absolute mess. Not just unprofessional, but an outright embarrassment to whoever was involved.

The loan system has got to be used, Michael, because at the end of the day, the goal is to make these young players ready for men's football, and whatever way you dress it up, Under-21s simply isn't men's football.

I got told years ago that Reece wouldn't make it by a genuine football man who was working at Everton, because he felt that the kid wasn't brave enough to be a central defender, and this is possibly why he his still playing junior football now.

I don't know, I haven't watched him, but I've heard he's comfortable in possession but isn't a great defender... similar to Nathan Patterson, maybe?

It's great teaching kids how to play football but, at the end of the day, they aren't going to be kids forever, and players have got to be taught the dirty side of the game. Otherwise what is the point exactly?

Tony Abrahams 13 Posted 18/02/2026 at 08:55:03

I think it would be much better than the present system, Eric, if only to give the first-team players who aren't getting much game time some proper football.

I remember Moise Keane coming over and my initial thought was that the kid is coming to a foreign country and a different style of football, so surely the best way for young foreign kids to learn and adapt would be by playing proper competitive football?

It will never happen, Eric (never say never -- especially when you look at the yearly budgets for a lot of lower league clubs and realise certain Premier League players earn just as much in a month) but I think having a feeder club to help develop younger players in the cut and thrust of real men's competitive football would make the most sense to me.

Dave Lynch 14 Posted 18/02/2026 at 08:58:56

This imo is a typical Moyes buy and the very reason he has to go (if it's true).

Stones is finished, his age and injury record are against him, but that won't bother Davey Boy, oh no! I honestly feared this would happen under him, he'll spunk a load of cash on ageing players with a defensive mindset.

He just can't help himself, can he, he's learned nothing from his past mistakes.

Tony Abrahams 15 Posted 18/02/2026 at 09:18:08

I'm not sure that Stones is the type of defender that Moyes likes to work with, Dave?

It might only be a fallacy but doesn't legend give way to a story about David telling his Manchester United team all about how good Phil Jagielka was?

Darren Hind 16 Posted 18/02/2026 at 09:55:52

He showed a load of multiple trophy winners clips of Jagielka, Tony... And told then "to look and learn".

No wonder he was laughed out of the place.

Sean Mitchell 17 Posted 18/02/2026 at 11:44:27

Welch at left-back and Stones at right-back?

I'll get my coat.

Christy Ring 18 Posted 18/02/2026 at 13:42:47

I don't know what the manager and staff feel about Welch in training, but if he's released I hope he gets a contract with another club. I also find it ridiculous all the media links that Stones could be heading back here. The amount of matches he's missed for City in the last few years, he's too injury prone, remember the last City player we paid over £8m for, Delph, one ridiculous mistake is enough.

Dale Self 19 Posted 18/02/2026 at 13:48:40

If it happens, it is proof the ditherer is withered.

Give him some action, we're safe Dave, good job.

Ian Wilkins 20 Posted 18/02/2026 at 14:07:54

Moyes brought Stones to Everton from Barnsley first time around.

I think he played him at right back before he later switched to centre back.

Too many injuries now for him to return, though I’m sure City would like to offload his wages, hence the media speculation.

Eric Myles 21 Posted 18/02/2026 at 14:16:33

Ian #20, Moyes didn't play Stones, he doesn't play teenagers.

Tom Bowers 22 Posted 18/02/2026 at 14:30:17

Returning players very rarely do well the second time around.

Stones is good on his day but more injury prone now. He had speed and could fill in at right back but I would prefer not getting him if there are better options available.

Tony Abrahams 23 Posted 18/02/2026 at 14:32:18

I don’t think Stones, played a game for Everton, under Moyes, but I could be mistaken

John Collins 24 Posted 18/02/2026 at 14:52:38

Eric,

Moyes was not at the club when Stones made his debut.

So you are correct.

Ian Wilkins 25 Posted 18/02/2026 at 15:12:45

I stand corrected, Martinez gave Stones his debut, but I’m sticking with Moyes recruiting him.

John Collins 26 Posted 18/02/2026 at 15:29:35

He did Ian. Eventually.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-scout-who-convinced-david-10015883

John Collins 27 Posted 18/02/2026 at 15:33:52

I don't think Moyes will sign Stones.

He has an issue with a thigh muscle apparently,prevents him from booting the ball 80 yards up the pitch to a forward marked by 2 sometimes 3,with no other Everton player within 40 yards of the forward.

Paul Kossoff 28 Posted 18/02/2026 at 15:58:34

John 27, do I detect a hint of sarcasm in your writing?

John Collins 29 Posted 18/02/2026 at 16:01:54

Moi, Paul?

Don Alexander 31 Posted 18/02/2026 at 19:14:18

Two full-backs and a striker was always my missus' ideal Andrew.