Were. And for Everton, for that time though. You can’t say the 2023 Stones is the same as the 2017 or 2019 Stones.
Simply doesn't matter anyhow, the Stones of then and now doesn't fit Everton. When he has a plethora of ballers who don't mind 1) moving to give an option and 2) receiving the ball despite being surrounded by the opposition then Stones will of course look like a top draw player. That in our team usually ends up with possession lost and a goal against.
It's horses for courses, can you imagine what he'd be like here these last two seasons?
I'm struggling to see why anyone is arguing is he better than x, y and z. Taking out the above that Stones probably isn't the best fit in our side, he wanted to leave, we got sufficiently paid. If he wanted to stay and we sold him for 20 million then there might be a debate to be had.