CHELSEA MAY HAVE to wait to get their man as Everton insist on playing hard-ball over John Stones.
The 21-year-old has been the subject of ferocious interest from Jose Mourinho’s side throughout the last few weeks and everything was intensified on Tuesday night when the Toffees rejected a transfer request from the centre-back.
But in an official statement on the club’s website on Thursday evening, club chairman Bill Kenwright said the following:
“Since the start of the transfer window, we have resolutely turned down offers from another Premier League football club for our player.
Advertisement
John is not for sale and he will remain a highly valued member of our first team squad.”
This followed on from manager Roberto Martinez speaking in the aftermath of Wednesday’s League Cup victory over Barnsley.
“Sometimes money can’t buy everything and that is going to be a very strong statement at Everton”, he said.
This is not a moment when we can use any money to get us stronger. We have a chairman who will do the right thing for the club and for the team and, as a true Evertonian, we are clear he will not be easily influenced in taking the money and accepting things which will clearly make our team weaker.”
“The situation with John is very clear. We care about him, we will protect him and make sure we give him everything we can to allow him to enjoy his football.”
John Terry was replaced at half-time in Chelsea's game with Man City and was sent-off against West Brom last weekend. Rui Vieira / AP/Press Association Images
Rui Vieira / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
The London outfit are desperate to land defensive reinforcements after a poor start to the season. Though John Terry’s form has been well-documented, the usually dominant and uncompromising Branislav Ivanovic has also struggled badly in the club’s opening games. The fact that Stones can operate on the flank as well as in the middle appeals to Mourihno who sees him as Terry’s natural heir.
It’s expected that Chelsea will return with a bid of £40 million.
Meanwhile, West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace is operating a similar strategy over Tottenham’s interest in striker Saido Berahino.
The Baggies have rejected two offers for the 22-year-old but Peace said today that Berahino will be staying put until January at the earliest.
Will £40 million finally persuade a determined Everton to sell John Stones?
CHELSEA MAY HAVE to wait to get their man as Everton insist on playing hard-ball over John Stones.
The 21-year-old has been the subject of ferocious interest from Jose Mourinho’s side throughout the last few weeks and everything was intensified on Tuesday night when the Toffees rejected a transfer request from the centre-back.
But in an official statement on the club’s website on Thursday evening, club chairman Bill Kenwright said the following:
“Since the start of the transfer window, we have resolutely turned down offers from another Premier League football club for our player.
John is not for sale and he will remain a highly valued member of our first team squad.”
This followed on from manager Roberto Martinez speaking in the aftermath of Wednesday’s League Cup victory over Barnsley.
“Sometimes money can’t buy everything and that is going to be a very strong statement at Everton”, he said.
“The situation with John is very clear. We care about him, we will protect him and make sure we give him everything we can to allow him to enjoy his football.”
The London outfit are desperate to land defensive reinforcements after a poor start to the season. Though John Terry’s form has been well-documented, the usually dominant and uncompromising Branislav Ivanovic has also struggled badly in the club’s opening games. The fact that Stones can operate on the flank as well as in the middle appeals to Mourihno who sees him as Terry’s natural heir.
It’s expected that Chelsea will return with a bid of £40 million.
Meanwhile, West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace is operating a similar strategy over Tottenham’s interest in striker Saido Berahino.
The Baggies have rejected two offers for the 22-year-old but Peace said today that Berahino will be staying put until January at the earliest.
The main talking points from today’s Champions League group-stage draw
Pot luck for Premier League clubs as Champions League group stages revealed
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Barclays Premier League In Demand John Stones Chelsea Everton