Since Maidstone United lost both Jon Benton and Antony Papadopoulos to Boreham Wood and a recall by Crawley Town retrospectively, The Stones have clearly lacked a pure, quality, creative midfielder in the middle of the park.
George Elokobi’s superb Maidstone side have played their share in an enthralling first half of The National League South campaign, with Dorking Wanderers leading the way on 56 points, with four teams sat on 55 points behind them, including The Stones. It’s certainly up in the air about who will win the league, a brilliant midfield addition could massively help United.
Maidstone usually lineup in a 4-3-3 formation, using two double-pivots in midfield, having a free-roam midfielder just ahead who can create chances and bring a serious goal threat to The Stones lineup. This system has thrived utilising both Benton and Papadopolous this season but Baylin Johnson, on loan from Cardiff, has struggled to make an impact so far.
For that reason, I was requested to suggest 3 options that George Elokobi and the Maidstone United recruitment team could look to sign as a creative midfielder.
I hope you all enjoy the read and I would love to hear the thoughts of Maidstone fans. Do you agree with my 3 midfield suggestions. Please share the blog around and give any feedback on the piece. Enjoy!
Sonny Blu-Lo Everton
With Maidstone United being one of just a handful of full time sides in The National League South, their budget is one of the biggest in the division. This means they have much more room in the playing budget for wages and fees. Players will find full time clubs an attractive prospect because they will train on a full-time schedule instead of having to fit in around work.
My first suggestion is for a player who I feel could be a perfect fit for Maidstone United. Someone who will be desperate to get back playing games of football week-in-week-out, especially since his return from injury. Sonny Blu-Lo Everton seems to have fallen out of favour at Yeovil Town this season, appearing just 14 times, starting on four occasions!
The former Watford and Derby County academy player spent time on loan at Wealdstone and current club Yeovil before signing for The Glovers on a permanent transfer. The 22 year-old midfielders contract is up in the Summer and is likely to leave. I feel that Maidstone have the chance to sign him on loan, with a view of a permanent in the Summer.
Despite Sonny playing his football in the South West currently, for Yeovil, he was born in London and spent his academy years at Watford as well as spending time on loan at Wealdstone, so knows the South East fairly well. He is likely to have family living fairly local to Maidstone which makes the settling in period much easier. George Elokobi is an excellent man-manager and will be the best person to get Sonny playing his best football.
Sonny Blu-Lo Everton is a brilliant technical midfielder who loves to be on the ball as much as possible. Plays the simple passes excellently and has an eye for a forward pass as well. When running with the ball he carries it superbly, gliding past defenders with his low centre of gravity and agility.
This isn’t a signing I’m suggesting Maidstone to make, it’s a signing I’m urging them to make. A player who is technically too good for The National League South, who needs an arm round his shoulder and consistent game-time. With a run of games, I see no reason why he can’t be one of the better midfielders in the league.
Olly Box
When I was doing the research part of this blog, which usually takes a fair bit of time, I had Olly Box’s name down extremely early because of his superb quality and energy in the Dartford midfield. The 19 year-old Darts academy graduate had an opportunity to sign for West Ham United in the Summer, but turned it down in favour of first-team football. This makes me think he will try and build his career through the divisions.
Despite The Darts being at the top of table in Step Three so far, Maidstone United would certainly be an attractive proposition for Olly Box and the most logical step for his career. United have a strong chance of being in The National League next season and could offer Box full-time football. With Maidstone being local to Dartford, he wouldn’t have to relocate either. The Stones have a young, hungry squad who are willing to fight for each other through any circumstances. Olly Box holds similar personality traits as this, so fitting in could be done seamlessly.
As I previously mentioned, Olly Box turned down the chance to sign for Premier League side, West Ham United, in returns for guaranteed game-time in senior football. It shows a true willingness and character to develop and improve by playing against people who are much more physically and mentally developed than him. A player who, in my opinion, is destined to play EFL football, but seems to be going about it the correct way, working through the lower leagues.
Box is a hard-working, creative midfielder who loves to get stuck into the dirty work, as well as his magic touch. He’s a player with a wonderful ability to pick out a risk-taking, line splitting pass, displaying serious levels of confidence and class, well above his level – something I have to admire for someone of his young age. When on the ball, he is willing to take on his man, displaying his unpredictable movements on the ball.
He’s certainly a player that will be on the radar of many clubs in different leagues throughout English Football in the Summer. Could The Stones potentially nick in before the Transfer Window reopens?
Kai Yearn
When researching for this blog piece, I wanted to try and find three players who have had fairly different career paths up to now, to try and cover all areas that The Stones may look to recruit from. Similar to Sonny Blu-Lo Everton, Coventry City youth player, Kai Yearn, is someone in need of game-time in senior football, to further develop himself as a player.
Sonny has played over 100 games in senior football now, in contrast, Kai Yearn has played a handful of games for Chelmsford City and Kings Lynn but has spent most of his early years playing for Cambridge United youth teams. The 19 year-old attacking midfielder signed for Coventry City in the Summer of 2024, and has since played nine times for their U21s squad, scoring five times.
He’s a player with an extremely exciting future in English Football because of his energetic, all-action style which allows him to display the best of his lovely technical attributes. Such a free-flowing ball-carrier who loves to take on his man with quick feet and bits of flair/skill. He’s yet to prove himself in senior football, hence why I think Coventry should send him to highflying Maidstone, to gain some valuable experience. He’s come a long way physically since his spells at Chelmsford and Kings Lynn but a lot of development is still needed.
Kai Yearn is a player who would take up a role slightly different to that of Sonny Blu-Lo Everton and Olly Box. He’s more of a Number Ten than an advanced midfielder so is likely to play further forward, almost as a second striker. This role could suit The Stones, as it allows them to push more bodies forward, into the final third.
Very unproven, with only a handful of games at this level but is a player who has proven his worth in youth teams. It’s about time Kai Yearn was given a good spell out on loan, gaining some valuable senior experience in a side where he doesn’t have to take much pressure or responsibility.
Thankyou!
Thankyou for reading! I would appreciate any feedback or support on the blog, either commenting on this piece or through social media. I hope you enjoyed the read.
Who would you sign if you were Maidstone? What do you think of my three suggestions?
If you have requests for pieces you’d like to see me do, drop them in the comments.
Callum Hallett 
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