Roberto Martinez tips John Stones to reach the top and reveals he tried to sign him when at Wigan.
He said: “In my eyes he’s the most promising young English centre half that we have in the country.
“I expect big things from him but we need to allow him to develop and enjoy his football. He has a fantastic future ahead of him.
“It was frustrating to miss out on him in January, because I always thought he was ready to play in the top flight. As a player you need to make a decision and we had to accept that (at Wigan).
“So I was delighted when I got here to have him in the squad finally.”
“In any performance from a youngster I never focus on the mistakes, I value their reaction to the mistakes and their next pass, or next decision,” he said.
“John is very strong minded in that respect and I’ve been very impressed.
“He needs games and minutes on the pitch to make sure he fulfils his potential but I would have no problems allowing him to play in the first team in a league game.
“I think he is ready. He has been working really well in pre-season.
“He’s one of that young group which is pushing that gets me really excited.
“We need to allow them to make mistakes and encourage them.
“I thought he was influential in us getting through to the next round of the Capital One Cup.”