John Stones to Leeds United? Man City defender told he can revive career under Marcelo Bielsa at newly-promoted club

John Stones should consider signing for Leeds United on loan to recapture his best form, reckons Adrian Durham.

Manchester City are expected to sign Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake in a deal worth £35million, regardless of which division the relegation-threatened Cherries find themselves in.

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It leaves the 26-year-old England international in a state of flux with Aymeric Laporte having established himself as Pep Guardiola’s first choice centre-back after Vincent Kompany’s departure last summer.

Stones, who moved to the Etihad for £47.5m in 2016, has also been linked with a move to Arsenal given his relationship with former Citizens coach Mikel Arteta.

Yet with Leeds in danger of losing Ben White back to Brighton after the end of his loan spell, the chance to work with Marcelo Bielsa could be just what he needs, according to Durham.

And the talkSPORT Drive host believes ‘El Loco’ would be the perfect mentor for the former Barnsley defender.

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“I do believe in the Leeds thing,” Durham said. “Now, a lot of people will look at this sand say ‘They’ve just got promoted.’

“There’s no way a guy who was starting in a World Cup semi-final, a Nations League semi-final in the last two years and won two titles is going to go from Man City to Leeds.

“But, the loan move is exactly what I was thinking. Leeds have had Ben White, who has been on loan from Brighton.

“If they can get him, then obviously they go for him. Because he’s been with them for a year and Bielsa loves him, the fans love him and he is a terrific player who can play centre-back or in midfield.

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“So if that happens, this really isn’t a debate. However, if they can’t get Ben White because I think bigger clubs are sniffing round, I think a loan move to take John Stones back to his home county of Yorkshire might be the way forward.

“Because look at what Bielsa does with players; improves them. Now, we know John Stones is capable of quality, but he needs that right coaching and the right man management.

“And I am absolutely convinced that after a season with Bielsa at Leeds United, he would come out of it next May a million dollars and a much better player than he is now.”