Phil Neville: 'John Stones can play for world's best clubs'

Former Manchester United and England defender Phil Neville has said that Everton defender John Stones is capable of playing for the biggest clubs in the world.

The 38-year-old, who is now working as Valencia's assistant coach in La Liga, believes that Stones, 21, would fit in at Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

"I think he can play, not just at the best clubs in England, but at the best clubs in Europe. I really do," Neville told BBC Radio 5 live.

"One of the big boys in Spain, or Bayern Munich - I think he's at that level. They'll be looking at him and thinking this boy is something special."

Stones, who has seven caps for England, has consistently been linked with a move away from Goodison Park this season.

However, Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that he has no plans to offload Stones in January.