Stones submits transfer request

, 25 August, 628comments  |  Jump to most recent

Everton's transfer strategy for the final week of the transfer window has potentially been thrown into turmoil by John Stones's decision to submit a transfer request in order to force through a move before next Tuesday's deadline.

Manager Roberto Martinez has been publicly insistent all summer that the 21-year-old was not for sale and Chelsea have seen three bids of 20m, 26m and 30m knocked back in recent weeks. The feeling was that, as unlikely as it seemed from a player apparently happy at Goodison Park, it would take Stones asking for a move to change the situation.

Even then, both Martinez and club director Jon Woods have been insistent in the past week that Stones would not be leaving in this transfer window because it would not leave Everton, already short at centre back following the departure of Antolin Alcaraz and Sylvain Distin at the end of last season, enough time to find a suitable replacement.

Following a report by Oliver Kay in The Times this morning, Sky Sports News were the first to claim that, according to their sources, Stones had indeed handed in a request to be transferred. The BBC and other media outlets swiftly followed suit, with Kay confirming on Twitter that he knew for a fact that the former Barnsley defender had made his desire to leave official.

The closest to any acknowledgement from Everton FC has been confirmation from the Liverpool Echo that Stones has indeed asked for a move and that the club are "considering their options".

The Guardian report that Chelsea will come in with one final bid of 40m in an attempt to secure the defender before the deadline and that Stones informed Martinez last week that "his preference" was a move to Stamford Bridge a claim contradicted, incidentally, by The Independent who say he informed the manager before training today. Everton's refusal to enter into negotiations with the London club eventually prompted Stones to "take matters into his own hands."

Dominic King of MailOnline tweeted a similar line this evening, suggesting that "he didn't want situation to get to this point but felt he had no choice but to go this way."  



Reader Comments (628)

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James Marshall
2 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:14:11
I believe it was the Times who reported this before those no-marks picked it up. It's on the BBC site and everywhere now.

RM has also stated that is makes no difference, and didn't a board member say to a fan at the weekend he won't be sold? Maybe it doesn't make any difference. Maybe I'm deluded.

Ben Jones
3 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:14:22
It's gonna be a hell of a deadline day
Dave Lawley
5 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:16:26
Bastards!! Hope it's not true; I can't help but feel The lack of ambition shown by the club not getting quality in early in the window has made Stonesy think 'Why stay?'
Jay Harris
6 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:16:31
Absolutely gutted.

I really thought we would keep Stones but there is no point keeping a player that wants to go.

I guess Chelsea didn't want to pay more than £30m so they have had people tapping him and his father up in the meantime.

As usual, it is now too late to go for Van Dijk.

Ian McDowell
7 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:17:07
Well big week ahead then. Options are:

1. Sell for £37-£45 Million and try to get few players in before the deadline.

2. Refuse to do business. Tell him he is staying and can go if he gets his head down and performs next season.

This transfer widow looks like a disaster so far.

James Marshall
9 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:18:25
We are the transfer widow, Ian....freudian.
Simon Berrey
10 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:18:52
Better now than in a week's time I suppose. Now let's see what sort of a club we really are. Come on RM and BK!
Ian McDowell
11 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:19:03
It's all very well selling him, but we need 2 centre backs with Premier league experience.

Who the hell are we going to get in? Once again, pissing around in the transfer window is going to cost us.

Colin Glassar
12 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:19:10
This rumour was started last night by the Daily Express, picked up by The Times this morning, and has now mestastasised into a full blown, hysterical media shouting match on who got the story first.

I believe this to be rubbish until proven wrong.

Kase Chow
14 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:19:23
Much as I love Everton, the board have shown no ambition whilst Chelsea get their business done early. Hence, if I were Stones, why would I stay at Everton?

Triple your money and genuinely compete for honours rather than compete to stay in the top half.

When you have to share a team with players of the ability of Naismith OR you could play in Champions League – what would you do?

Dave Abrahams
15 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:19:35
Michael and Lyndon you are going to be very busy in the next couple of hours!!!
James Byrne
16 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:19:55
The sale of John Stones will leave a huge void in our defence. I hate Chelsea and everything they stand for, but I can't really fault the lad. If he does end up going best of luck to him.
Dave Cook
17 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:20:18
@Ian Option 3, sell to United for £30 + Evans just to cover us, get some cash, and stick it to Chelski
Shane Corcoran
18 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:20:45
It has to be option 2 Ian. I don't get this "he has to go" talk now.

If Everton sell him now then it's completely contrary to what the manager and board member said only a few days ago. The club would be a (more) complete laughing stock.

He stays in this window and does the job he's paid for. End of.

John Keating
19 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:20:46
If it's true, Martinez should get Stones and his dad in and tell them he's not going. Simple as that.

This speculation has been going on for weeks and it doesn't seem to have affected Stones's performances. He seems a level headed lad and once he knows he's going nowhere, that'll be him sorted.

Jason Thomas
20 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:20:52
The pressure is on Martinez now! If the club sells, he may have to walk as he stated Stones is not for sale. I bet Woods is feeling it a bit also.

We can’t blame the lad though. Just really sad to see our great club just a shadow of its former self.

James Marshall
21 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:20:52
But, if Everton do target Jonny Evans, they will - according to Talksport - face competition from West Brom.

It's claimed the Baggies are targeting Manchester United's Northern Ireland defender after telling defender Joleon Lescott he can leave The Hawthorns.

Ahahahahaha!

Dave Pritchard
22 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:20:57
Colin there is a message on a Twitter account under Stones's name, effectively saying sorry to EFC fans but I want to go. No idea if it is genuine or not.
Ben Dyke
23 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:21:17
Stick or twist? Darned if we do; Darned if we don't let him go.

Inequality in the Premier League sucks.

John Hughes
25 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:22:05
Highest bidder if he doesn't want to play for us. I hope someone comes in higher than Chelski.
Jackie Barry
26 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:22:10
Give me a break! If I had been at the club for more than 5 minutes then yes maybe the lack of ambition would bother me. However, he is acting like a jerk, the same way a lot of youngsters are nowadays. I for one will not be wishing him the best.
Shane Corcoran
28 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:22:46
Here it is Link
James Marshall
29 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:23:28
Jackie – there's always more to it than simply what John Stones thinks. You have to read between the lines and look a little deeper; this is big money, and big business surrounding a 21-year-old kid.

James Marshall
30 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:24:15
Shane, that's bollocks - Stones doesn't use Twitter.
Paul Jeronovich
31 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:24:43
Sell him... but not to Chelsea, that bastard Mourinho will be loving this. Stand firm, Blues.

Dan Nulty
32 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:24:54
I agree with Dave Cook, sell him to United rather than Chelsea. But I'd take £35 million plus Evans. Then sign Van Dijk from Celtic, Yarmalenko, Lennon, Austin.
John Logan
33 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:25:28
Everton have now got to set the stall out, come out publicly with the asking price and stick to it - I'd say £40M but I bet Everton will accept £35M.

We move on, players come and go.

Conor Skelly
34 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:25:32
Always going to happen really. Best thing we can do is tell him tough shit and you're not going anywhere. He'll have to play well anyway for his place in the England squad so we should get a good season out of him and then fuck him off next summer to the highest bidder. Essentially be like getting him on loan for a year plus about £50m.
Shane Corcoran
35 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:26:11
James, guess I'm on a roll today.

Was just sharing what Dave had mentioned.

Brett Jonathan
36 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:26:23
Was inevitable this one. Big club comes calling, heads are turned, kid moves on. It happens so often these days you cant get too frustrated by it.

All on us now and I still have a feeling we just won't let him leave. Going to be a very interesting next 24 hours though.

Jackie Barry
37 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:26:58
If at this stage, he hands in a request, he is a jerk.
Brian Hill
38 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:27:26
No quotes from anyone, I'm with Colin, bullshit until proven otherwise.
Jamie Morgan
39 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:27:38
Totally agree with Dan and Dave, I would rather see him at Man Utd just to piss Chelsea off! I'd take Evans as a back-up quite happily.
Gerry Quinn
40 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:27:55
I don't believe any of it until the Everton OS has it.
James Marshall
42 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:27:58
That Twitter account has gained about 30 followers in 2 minutes......mostly Chelsea fans. Idiots.
Ed Fitzgerald
43 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:28:07
All the club needs to do is tell Stones he is under contract and state we will consider selling him when it suits us... ie, the end of the season. If he doesn't like it, tough shit, he will have to get on with it wont he?

What are his options? Threaten not to play??

If the club do sell, it will clearly be against the manager's wishes

Nev Renshaw
44 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:28:26
Bitterly disappointed if he goes. Another case of 'moneybags' clubs clicking their fingers and getting anything they want. The lad's had his head turned by his agent and Chelski.

If we don't get billionaire backers, like most other Premier League clubs, we can forget about winning any silverware ever again. Everytime we get a good young player and he shows potential, the vultures gather round and work on his head to unsettle him. It sucks.

Keith Harrison
45 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:28:39
If he has handed in a request, put him up for auction with City and United involved, and let them have first option over the unprincipled scum.
Paul Kelly
47 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:29:18
Is this official? Or tabloid BS?
Shane Corcoran
48 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:29:42
Keith, why do you call him that?
Andy Codling
50 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:29:44
I have no problems with him going as he's not a local blue etc; however, he has had all summer to hand in a request (if indeed he has), so why leave it so late?

If we end up with two lads from South America and Aaron Lennon, then it is a sad reflection of the state of Everton.

James Marshall
51 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:29:56
Nothing official, nothing at all.
Stewart Lowe
53 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:31:08
This was always going to happen. I think Mori was always ear-marked as the replacement for Stones. You don't bring Mori in from River Plate where he was winning trophies and presume he will be happy to warm the bench until either Stones or Jagielka get injured.

Don't be down-hearted, though, as this boy Mori is very very good. He goes box-to-box in a similar way to Stones but he scores goals like a striker and assists like a midfielder. In a couple of months we will all be saying "Stones who?" and hopefully £40m better off.

Brett Jonathan
54 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:31:27
I think it is safe to say these sources make it pretty official.
Gerry Quinn
55 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:31:33
Tabloid shysters stirring it up to a frenzy – with Terry banned they need cover quicker than they thought.

We play them in 2 weeks time... oh, my!

James Marshall
56 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:31:42
Apart from this....

http://talksport.com/football/chelsea-transfer-news-check-out-john-stones-written-transfer-request-150825164149

Gavin Johnson
57 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:31:58
As long as we get the £40m and bring in Van Dijk, I think we'll be fine. We'd also be able to buy a big-name proven striker like Charlie Austin instead of putting pressure on an incoming £500k prospect.

I for one will wish John Stones all the best, if he does move. He's played well and not gone into a sulk, which is a measure of his character.

Dave Horne
58 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:32:21
Kase Chow #10

We are all totally pissed off by this news – but there is absolutely no call to be derogatory about Naismith. We have quite a few players worse than him and he's a nice guy.

Have a go at Stones by all means – he should have put his request in weeks ago, surely he owes us that?

Kevin Dale
59 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:32:35
Something not right here; we seem to be having trouble getting players in and now we have a key player wanting to go? What is going on? Don't we want to win anything anymore?

Is it just about staying in the Prem and creaming off the assets? I've not got a good feeling about what's going on just now!!!

Jackie Barry
60 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:32:54
Well if there is nothing official and it does not turn out to be the case the club needs to take action and lodge an official complaint. This I unsettling our team and it's not on.
Tony Byrne
61 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:33:13
"Sky sources" usually means 95% true; I believe every club in the Premier League "leaks" information to Sky as part of the TV deal, that's just my suspicion.

James,

As you well know, the outcome to this type of speculation usually ends with the player getting his wish; it is sickening, to say the least.

If JS does indeed leave, then I would hope a bidding war ensues for his signature. As shite as it is, at least we then get top dollar. I think we should be getting £50 million as this lad has got 10-12 years at the very top.

Sick as a pig at the moment... what a player he is.

Kevin Elliott
62 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:34:07
If true then just tell him he ain't going nowhere till it suits us, and by that I mean £50 million or fuck off.
Colin Glassar
64 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:34:22
I honestly think everyone needs to calm down for a sec. This could just be another malicious rumour spread by the media hacks to force a conclusion in their favour. They need this story to be true to re-establish some 'credibility' of which they have none.

Let's wait and see. They are just cranking up the pressure.

Bill Gall
65 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:34:26
Has there been any official confirmation, or is this just the normal reliable unreliable sources filling up space.
Trevor Peers
66 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:34:30
Nobody keeps unhappy players, so Stones will go.

Question is: Will we spend the money where it's needed?

It's an opportunity to improve the team. Creative players are needed, but Roberto does have a problem identifying them and I don't trust him to invest any money received wisely.

Why is he gambling on two South Americans? Plus we have a glut of midfielders that never play... it's ridiculous.

James Marshall
67 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:34:44
It's official Link
Chris Wilson
68 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:34:51
Well, we'll know the fate of Van Dijk today. It was widely thought that if Celtic stay in the Champions League, then they'll hold onto him because he's been told playing in the CL is the best exposure for getting picked for the Dutch National team.
Keith Harrison
69 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:34:52
Shane. Chelscum are the ones I meant, not JS!
Neil Roberts
71 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:38:02
Drain every penny out of the fuckin rent boys and fuck him off. I hope Terry shags his bird.
Garry Corgan
72 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:39:18
Lots of well thought out and intelligent posts here. Might is less so...

If he wants to go, fuck him.

John Keating
73 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:40:14
Once clubs know he's for sale hopefully more than Chelsea will come in. As long as someone can match Chelsea's offer, sell to them and fuck Mourinho.

However, I still think we should just refuse to accept his transfer request.

Joe Foster
75 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:42:07
If this is true, it's another disappointing thing to add to the list of Everton disappointments.

Will RM get the lot to spend? Can he spend it well? Can we find a suitable replacement for JS?

There might end up being a squadron of fly overs with banners if this goes pear-shaped.

Dave Williams
79 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:50:17
JS is a very promising player but one in two goals we concede can be attributed to him either overplaying or failing to attack a ball coming into the box.

He will learn but if we get £40m for him and the Argentinian lad is more solid and will attack the ball then we may actually be more solid at the back.

We have been put in the same position as the RS with Sterling and I would sell him now with time to replace him rather than allow it to go to the final day.

Stewart Lowe
81 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:55:10
Colin Glassar: I don't think it's only a rumour. I think as far as Everton are concerned this is the right news and the right time for Stones to have done this.

Has anyone ever thought that the only reason we will be doing the deals late on is because the potential £40m addition to Martinez's makes a huge difference to what he can go out and spend? It's taken so long because Chelsea have been placing official bids weeks apart and only increasing each one by £4-5m each time. If this is the case then Everton have played it exactly right.

Now one player that was mentioned today by Martinez when asked by a reporter was if there was any truth in the link to Bernard of Shaktar Donetsk and his answer was that "He has a few representatives in this country but he can't go into detail." Now if he wasn't here to sign for us, Martinez would have dismissed it out of hand, so watch that space.

Phil Head
82 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:57:37
I know what I would do if I were the gaffer, get this Mori deal over the line sharpish, stick Stones on the bench for a month or two, refuse to support him under the backlash of fans and media, hang him out to dry essentially. This will blow over in a couple of months time, in which case, we can slowly bring him back into the side, whilst also showing him who's boss.

What the media fail to realise, is that Everton are in complete control of the situation. The lad's got almost 5 years of his contract left, so for the next 3 years his valuation is only gonna rise, so he's essentially trapped.

The only thing Stones has achieved by doing this, is backstabbing his employers and the club's fans and for that he should suffer. Let's hope Martinez and Kenwright grow some balls and do the right thing.

The club would gain nothing from allowing him to leave at this point in the window, all the best available players have moved on already and the last thing we need is a bunch a panic buys.

Peter Morris
83 Posted 25/08/2015 at 19:04:26
As is usual in these murky dealings, someone in the Stones camp has leaked this development to the media. I am very, very disappointed and dismayed in John Stones and his family for that matter. Why did you sign a 5-year contract less than 12 months ago John?

If Everton are to protect their good name, they must keep the player for the forthcoming season and tell Chelsea to fuck off. Sell to anyone, at any price, but them. A message must be sent that these people cannot just have what they want.

I suggest we call Man Utd (much as it galls me) and agree to sell to them for £40m now if they will pay it, with a loan back for a season. We can even wait for the money.

We can no longer claim that the banks are forcing us to sell our best players. Anything to fuck those rats in West London, who have had the full force of TV and media mafia on their case all summer.

We now must comes to terms with Stones leaving, but we MUST control the outcome to some degree so that we keep hold of a semblance of dignity. Those twats on the Chelsea website are now calling him 'Stonesy'!

Joe Foster
85 Posted 25/08/2015 at 19:49:07
Anyone else having issues connecting to TW? I think BK has got his dark arts people trying to take it down.
Ged Simpson
86 Posted 25/08/2015 at 19:54:19
Not worth £35m. This could be brill if we spend... and spend wisely
Stephen Brown
88 Posted 25/08/2015 at 19:55:54
ToffeeWeb is in meltdown? I've gone back a year as we've just signed Lukaku on my home page?!
Craig Mills
89 Posted 25/08/2015 at 19:55:55
See you later John, hope you enjoy the Chelsea bench. £36m up front payment required, go get Van Dijk – £8m; go get Lescott – free; pay what's needed for Yarmelenko – £16m, just get it over and done with.

If he wants out, let him go and let's move on.

Craig Mills
90 Posted 25/08/2015 at 19:56:40
Steve 68 – happened to me too!!
Ged Simpson
91 Posted 25/08/2015 at 19:57:17
I agree, Craig.
John Crook
96 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:06:19
Joe Foster (#66) yes I had difficulty logging in. When I did, ToffeeWeb seemed to have rolled back 1 year and the headline was the announcement of the Lukaku signing.

With regards to Stones, the club (Martinez at several press conferences and the director Woods, recorded by a fan) have made their stance, the stance being he is not for sale under any circumstances. If the club go back on their word then surely they will face the biggest fan revolt there has ever been.

Stones signed an upgraded 5-year contract only 12 months ago. The club don't want to sell, the player is under contract, therefore the players stays.

To me, it would probably make sense to leave him out of the squad altogether for the Spurs match even if that would leave only Jagielka as an experienced centre back for that match. Last thing the squad needs is a stunt where the player refuses to travel. Leave him out of the squad for a couple of matches and let it sink in his head over the international break that he is an Everton player.

It's not fair to suddenly jump on Stones's back. He has quite clearly had his head turned by the public pursuit from Mourinho, Terry, Hodgson and Cahill add to that several over zealous members of the media.

Tony Abrahams
97 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:07:27
Stones is a going to be a great player, so it will be a massive disappointment to lose him.

I agree with you Phil Head, and only if this happens, could I not believe, that this deal has been pre-arranged.

How can you say that even if the player hands in a transfer request on the Saturday, and agree to one less than a week later otherwise? No wonder Martinez, flipped when it was all over the internet that we had signed Johnny Evans.

Ian McPherson
99 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:11:20
The board were expecting a bid in excess of £35m originally as judging by the inflated Sterling price. Explains why we didn't sign anybody over last few weeks until Chelsea raised their bid and we had money to promise for payment to other clubs. Yamalenko will now be back on mysteriously, joke board with no investment as usual until players are sold to fund.
Michael Ward
101 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:17:29
My opinion, Everton have to be bold about this.

1 - Report Chelsea to the FA for tapping up their player. It was only a few weeks ago he was happy and now he has put in a transfer request, surely that is grounds for a sanction?

2 - Be honest but firm about the situation. We don't want to sell, now transfer request is in we have to consider the possibility. However given a number of reasons, being the proximity to transfer deadline, only one settled CB if he leaves, his age and length of contract and the fact Everton are not desperate for the money the prices mentioned by Chelsea are well below what Everton would even consider as fair compensation of they were to lose Stones.

If we sell for less than £50m given all of the above I think we are mugs. £50m apparently 15% to Barnsley, is £42.5m. As soon as people know we might have cash soon the price skyrockets, Utd want £12m for Johnny Evans who has 12months left on his contract!

Say no or take an extortionate amount of money for him. People are already saying Sterling looks good business at £50m, that's shows how much money is washing around the game at the very top level at the moment.

Steven Twine
102 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:17:58
I can’t believe this is happening!! Who do we supporters believe? Is Stones desperate to leave as the Sky 4 media report? Are Everton telling the truth that he’s not for sale even with a transfer request? Is it a game the board have been playing to get as much money as possible and leave us no time to spend it?

Surely the board are not that short sighted and desperate for money? His value is only going to rise next season or season after,and if our "golden generation" do win silverware then he might not want to leave anyway. He could also be putting his starting berth for England in jeopardy at the euros by not being first choice if he leaves.

Just back to the vision of talented youngsters taking us forward if true stones wants away that vision lasted 3 games! I really hope Everton stand firm and dismiss this out of hand and if need be put him in the under 21’s if this diesease of his heads not right,that only effects football players is touted. Really pissed off fan.
John Atkins
103 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:19:44
If we sell him to Chelsea then this club can go fuck themselves.

Seriously, if they do, I'm finished with them and a divorce is going to happen!

I'll be hurt, really hurt... but they are not going to continue to break my heart any more.

Balls needed, BK!!!

Trevor Powell
104 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:20:03
Stones will be a fool to go to the Chelsea shithouse and learn from the ultimate cheating twats in Mourinho and Terry.

This is a club with no class run by a massive Russian criminal empire! I would rather see him go to a club with class such as Arsenal where he would develop the right attitudes! Sell him now but with a non-negotiable £50 million tag!

Steven Twine
105 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:29:29
Reading some posts about his head being turned can someone on here explain what this means and how it can effect him?

He’s 1st choice at a Premier League club, will earn millions of pounds in wages over his career, can look after his family forever, whatever he wants he can go get. Just breaking into the England team as first choice. No bad for a 21-year-old!

This heads-been-turned football speak gets on my nerves but I want to hear what everyone’s take on that saying is.
Dave Abrahams
106 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:30:56
We do not know the full story yet, if Stones has been forced into this situation, by the club, his agent or whoever. I'm waiting to see what happens.

What upsets me the most is clubs don't make players honour their contracts and don't expect loyalty from them but take our loyalty, as fans, for granted.

It's getting harder and harder to believe in this club and anything they tell us... well, that's easy actually because they tell us nothing.

Frank Crewe
107 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:31:32
Plug the fax machine in. It's time for some last minute spending.
Shaun Murphy
108 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:33:26
Don’t blame him but he’s a shithouse waiting until after the last home game before the window shuts. If it was Barnsley at home or Spurs he would have waited until the last minute.

It doesn’t matter anyway. Who on here thinks we’re going anywhere with or without him? Rooney had potential to really change the whole club into winners and we sold him. As a scouser that just eats me.
Frank Crewe
109 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:33:53
Wish we were run by a massive Russian criminal empire. At least we could afford to buy players.
David Johnson
110 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:38:20
Martinez will see 60% of the fee max. This makes any sale of our best all the more galling.
Kieran Kinsella
111 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:42:01
I don't understand why anyone is surprised as the same old saga plays out year after year. Everton give player new long term deal, within 12 months rumors roll in that he is wanted by club X. Everton say they won't sell.

Last minute, player hands in transfer request and we sell. 50% of the time we invest some of the money (Lescott, Stones presumably) the rest of the time (Rooney, Arteta) we ring fence it and then it disappears.

Grant Smith
112 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:43:49
Everton are driving this not Stones. He clearly will not object to enhancing his career and doubling his wages, however the club will have asked him to submit a request to make us look like unwilling sellers.

Nothing could be further from the truth, our model is clearly based on blooding young talent and selling them on for good profit. I wish the lad well, whilst we continue to rot under this inept and corrupt ownership.

Colin Grierson
114 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:46:09
If I go to the boss and hand in a request then there's always the chance that I'll receive a knowing smile and be shown the door.

If Stones is 'forced' to stay at Everton for this season as he is contracted to do so, then that for me is the best scenario. We get the benefit of his class this season and then sell him and allow time to find a suitable replacement.

If we let him go now cos he has written his preference on a piece of paper, then what the fuck is that all about? What happened to "He is NOT for sale"?

Then again... this could all be media blocks cos I haven't seen any quotes from anyone as yet!

John Hughes
115 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:46:10
And me! Just got TW back on.
James Stewart
116 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:46:22
Said all along that he would go but it gives me no pleasure to actually see the wheels in motion though.

This should have been done weeks ago and we would have had cash when good targets were still around. Instead we will be running around like blue arsed flies on deadline day picking the bones and being overcharged for the privilege.

Stones wanting the move will be nothing new to those in the know so once more it has been poorly handled from our point of view. Will there ever be a positive summer for an Everton fan?!

Peter Morris
117 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:46:39
RM has been fronting up all of this shit for weeks now, being pestered by journalists from every nuanced angle about the JS saga. Nothing from the CEO, nothing from the Chairman. The board must not hang the manager, or for that matter, US, out to dry on this. We don't need to sell.

The Club should issue a full and frank statement saying in no uncertain terms that Stones will not be sold. He'll sulk for a bit and then he'll HAVE to get over it. Anything less is a complete betrayal of the manager and the supporters.

Christy Ring
118 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:47:55
Stones and his agent should be told NO, if the story is true. Martinez said it would be a waste of time handing in a transfer request. If the club change their mind and sell him with only 1 week left in the window, Bob, Bill and the board would be a band of hypocrites.

Bill Kenwright, Martinez and the board have been a complete disgrace with their lack of ambition and signings this summer.

It was reported today that we never even agreed a fee for Yarmolenko with Kiev, giving us supporters false hope again. If Stones does go, Bill, Bob and the board should go also.

Peter Gorman
119 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:49:02
Still in denial about this, it can't be true.

Just seen that Marko Marin has left Chelsea on loan for the season. Marko who? Once a very promising footballer from Germany who went there from Bremen where he was Ozil's heir apparent.

The odds say he won't make it there, here he would be considered a God. If Stones goes I will be more shocked that he is a fool.

Duncan McDine
120 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:50:18
Shit on it
Guy Hastings
121 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:50:47
'If that's the game you want to play the rates just went up ten percent'. Make that 40%.
Colin Gee
122 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:51:07
Stones has obviuously been tapped up.
Football is fucked, everyone else may as well pack up and not bother now as there's no point anymore, just let the 2nd Division Rent Boys and the 3rd Division Manc Arabs play each other 38 times a year, play the FA Cup Final against each other and be done.
Mike Gwyer
123 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:51:33

Seriously, who the fuck didn't expect this to happen, BK probably wrote the script several weeks ago.

Ah well, if nothing else the atmosphere for the Chelski game should be something similar to games played in the 70's.

Keith Monaghan
124 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:51:48
My heart didn't want this to happen but my head said it would.
However, I believe ManUre will now come in and sign him if he leaves us this window, as I believe he's a fan of theirs.

I can't support some of the bad blood to him on here – what does it make us fans look like to our other players? I still hope we stand firm and decline his request.

John Daley
125 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:52:56
Disappointing, but surely we all half expected it was coming? In reality, it changes absolutely nothing though.

People inside the club would already have been aware of the fact the player was keen on the move. The press certainly knew something was brewing but jumped the gun. The player himself, along with his representatives, must have realised early on that they may be forced to go down this road as a last resort to try and push any move through.

It's basically 'as you were', with Everton still holding all the cards. The only difference is that the players desire to go is now public knowledge and so we'll witness a concerted cranking up of pressure as the transfer window nears it's closure.

Unless Chelsea make a truly mouthwatering offer that blows away anything put forward thus far, then there's really no reason for Everton to blink first or deviate from the stance they've taken since this whole saga started: We don't want to sell. We don't need to sell. We don't have to sell. If you want to try and change our minds then it's going to have to be an out of this world offer that would give our bank manager the kind of wood strong enough to send his desk smashing through the ceiling.

Final note: I don't think Stones is the kind of lad to sulk, go all mashed potato head and half-arse his way through games in a huff. While he's still here, I'd be pretty confident about him continuing to give his best whilst remaining calm, composed and professional out on the pitch, rather than 'doing a Lescott'.

Paul Saleh
126 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:53:05
£50 million - Chelsea take it or fuck off - he is under contract for four more years
Peter Roberts
127 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:53:26
My tuppence worth copied from my FB status tonight:

So John Stones hands in a transfer request. Solution: Arrange with Chelsea/United/whoever for the transfer to go through on January 1. Advise that we have a net value we wish to receive, so any fee must include the 15% fee to Barnsley, plus the loyalty bonus due to Stones as part of the media driven circus inducing him to break his contract.

Banish Stones to the reserves for 6 months, sign an interim backup such as Jonny Evans to play alongside Jags while we source longterm targets to improve the squad to sign in the January window.

Time for Everton to act like a club the size we proclaim to be and not bow to Johnny come lately clubs like Chelsea because of their bigger financial muscle.

Denis Richardson
128 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:53:31
Not sure why anyone is surprised by this. Was only a question of when not if.

Him handing in a transfer request means we don't have to pay out any remaining bit of his contract as it his decision to go and not the clubs. Don't blame the kid – he gets a massive pay rise, plays in the CL, plays with world class players like Hazard, Costa, Fabregas, actually wins something etc, good luck to him if he goes.

Re Everton – can stand firm á la RS with Ratboy for one extra season or get as much for him as possible. Now would be a good time to tell Chelsea and Man Utd we'll listen to £35m - cash.

In the meantime, start looking for a decent replacement. Failing that, get Lescott back for very little cash. He's a shit load better than Alcaraz.

Timothy Blanshard
129 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:54:14
I knew these bastards wouldn’t go away. His fucking head has been turned now and I’m absolutely fed up. If he goes (sorry, when) it’s going to do wonders for the existing squad morale, I don’t think.

RM is supposed to be trying to build a team and I thought the days of being a fucking feeder club were over. This lad is better than Rio Ferdinand was at the same age; after he left Leeds Utd for Man Utd they certainly went on to bigger and better things without him... didn’t they?

I build up so much in my mind for Everton and how we could become great again, and then this.

Will I ever learn?

Joe O'Brien
130 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:54:46
And where did you come up with all this, Grant? Even though we've haven't got money, I don't think we had any intention of selling him. We were broke when we sold Rooney and had the banks on our backs. This is a different situation.

Gutted if he's goes, my wife thought someone died. We should demand £50mil off them and if they don't want to pay it... Fuck right off!!

Phil Walling
132 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:55:50
And now for Act 4 of 'Roll away the Stones'. As forecast, the saga is ending just as it was scripted by everyone at Everton and Bill's mates at Chelsea.

And who was it who said Colin Glassar had the inside track on matters? You read the wrong newsbites this time, Col!

Bill Gall
133 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:55:51
The only problem if Stones goes it proves what a lot of supporters are saying, we are a selling club, run by a board with no backbone and no ambition.

The next question is who is next to go: Lukaku, Coleman, Barkley,or Mirallas? How is it possible for any manager to build a team at Everton if you keep getting your better young players sold and only given enough funds to buy inferior players?

Martin Mason
134 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:57:56
John's gone and it is to EFC's benefit. We don't now have to labour under the illusion that we can keep players of sufficient quality to mount a challenge to the top 5 clubs. All that needs doing now is to make sure that we get the best price.

It isn't John's fault for submitting this request now as it always has to be the last act and never the first as he'll lose money as a result.

I think what did it was him seeing how badly beaten we were by City on Sunday.

The reality? We can't keep players as good as JS, we are limited to buys of £10-15M and at £30-40M we have to sell. Bastards. The game against Spurs will answer a lot of questions, it may show that we can expect to be not the best of the rest but a bottom half club. Next year could see a massive fall in season ticket sales as the reality sinks in.

What was this about a large loan that EFC has taken out?

Chris Kelly
135 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:58:00
We know this is how the transfer window works. Let's face it, this happened with Rooney, Lescott and Fellaini. Don't particularly blame stones, this is how the game seems to work. He is being ambitious and who wouldn't want to play Champions League?

My challenge is to Everton and how we deal with it. Like others, if we go for the cash, let's get an outrageous sum. If he stays then fine, but we still need more quality players. Everyone has strengthened and we need to do as well. Within a week we will know how well we have done, but at the moment I have no confidence. Lennon, Evans and a few unknowns don't cut it.

Come on, Everton, think big and make me proud. I just hope it doesn't unsettle the side tomorrow and Barnsley don't turn us over. I want us to beat Chelsea so bad when we play them.

Matt Garen
136 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:58:03
Steven (#79), my view is that players heads are turned by the top clubs in as much as he will play against the likes of Bayern, Barca and Real, against the best players in the world in the best competition in the world. He will get his wages trebled and win a few league titles, FA Cups and possibly the Champions League.

Or he could stay at Everton, playing in a crumbling old ground, with our best players sold, no investment, with absolutely no possibility of winning anything. It's not surprising his head has been turned.

Nick Armitage
137 Posted 25/08/2015 at 20:58:24
Keeps Kenwright clutching on to his train set until the bitter end. All so predictable, I'm not even annoyed.

By whatever means, the sooner Kenwright finally fuck offs, the better. All I want is for this to crank up the heat on Earl and Green.

Steve Cotton
138 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:00:13
Van Dijk is getting the run-around for Celtic. Looks a poor version of John Stones at the moment... Beware what you wish for.
Chris Wilson
139 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:00:50
Well, looks like Van Dijk will be available now; Celtic trailing 2:0, 4:3 on aggregate. But I think Southampton have their hooks in him.

Although I'd be a little concerned that his side let in two goals off corners.. Oh wait, he doesn't defend set pieces either. He'll fit in fine then!

David Holroyd
140 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:01:37
Sickening news about Stones. A lot of people say buy these three players but the trouble is that is three more wages. Would you give Martinez money to waste? Martinez and the board have failed us yet again. Should have had players at the same time as Cleverley, now we are left with South Americans who are unknown.

Everton always had a big signing at the start of every season. No disrespect but Cleverley isn’t that. We all know that we needed more goals from midfield to help Lukaku but bought someone who hardly ever scores. I came out of hospital last Thursday having had a heart attack the previous Saturday night and wasn’t looking forward to the season. I was right.
Steven Twine
141 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:03:40
If we sell then we are going to look totally and utterly stupid after press conference after press conference saying he’s not going anywhere. With plane banners, protests outside the ground and radio phone-ins, surely the board know it will be impossible for them to continue running the club if he’s sold.

Transfer request or not, I can’t see any way the board can come back from this, even if they try to blame Stonesy for pushing for a move. It will not wash anymore: enough is enough. And I contributed to the plane banner appeal. Board out!!
Paul Jeronovich
142 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:05:38
Kills me to say it but Everton should take a firm stance like Liverpool have with Sterling and Suarez: "If you want them it's £75m & £49m and not a penny less."

If Chelsea want him desperately enough, they will pay the £50m if we play hard. Personally I still think we should keep him until after the Euros, just hope other clubs come in to fuck Mourinho over!!!

John Raftery
143 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:05:47
Quite frankly he has four years remaining on his contract so the club holds the whip hand and there is absolutely no pressure on us to sell. Unless Chelsea offer a ridiculous amount, i.e. £60m, we should refuse his transfer request and keep him for at least the next year. End of story.
Chris Wilson
144 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:06:11
So whom do we run out for the Barnsley match? If we sit Stones, Galloway out, Hibbert out. That means Oviedo at LB, Jags at LCB, Browning at RCB, and Coleman at RB. We have absolutely no natural first team cover for our defense. None. Besic? Barry? Fucking ridiculous!
Shaun Murphy
145 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:06:31
No more home games for him now until the window shuts.

Nice timing. £35-40 mil and we better have someone lined up or I am not going to watch this shit anymore.
Jim Bennings
146 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:07:42
Can't even be arsed actually being arsed anymore if that makes any sense?!

We have made a total twat of ourselves during this transfer window, being outspent by non-entity clubs like Bristol City and Middlesbrough, we are showing no ambitions to this so-called "golden generation" so why the hell would any of them really want to stay?

No Champions League football, not really a glimmer of any hope of it happening thanks to the board being pleased with stagnation and barely a hope of winning a trophy again!

The way I see it is we now have less than a week to spend £30 million pound to save our season, rectify the crisis in defensive options and bring in some quality. It's not going to happen, is it??

Matt Muzi
147 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:07:50
It looks like he has put a transfer request in, I'd've been happier if he'd done it last week, but at the end of the day, deep down, I knew this was going to happen... although in an ideal world, I was praying he'd stay till after the Euros with a higher value.

I think we're snookered on the Van Dijk front, which is another blow. I can't help thinking our pitiful transfer business this summer has something to do with it as well.

Ideally sell him, get a replacement, and invest the rest of the money. But in the back of my mind I can hear "We look for specific targets, unfortunately we couldn't get those players in, but all the money will be available for Roberto in the January window...."

Andrew Tomlinson
149 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:08:00
I really thought Everton were turning a corner and building a quality squad to look to the future with Lukaku’s comments last week, Mirallas and McCarthy extending contracts and the addition of some promising young talent.

If this (transfer) happens, then all it confirms is that we will never again be allowed to compete in the top division and have become a feeder club for the chavs.

It begs the question: just what is the point anymore?

40 years a blue and I’ve NEVER felt this disillusioned.

Football is sick, just bloody sick.

Eric Holland
150 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:08:06
Story is true alright.

If he wants to move on, best of luck to the kid, we get a hefty wedge and have a couple of young lads just waiting to step in to his place.

He was not without his mistakes which are a regular occurrence – just one or two of these at Chelsea and he will find himself in the dog house.

Next!!!

Anthony Lamb
151 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:08:56
It is certainly sad that Stones has asked to leave the club but, in the corrupt world of modern day sport, especially the obscenity that the Premier League and its ilk has become, is it really surprising? The monies available to these players and their associates is an utter distortion of whatever is left of ethics etc.

However, we are where we are and, if Stones does intend to leave, "who can blame him, zillions a week more extra etc etc".

However, the club is in favourable, though difficult situation. He is contractually obligated to the club for x number of years and therefore the club are in a position to say "You will be held to that contract, now get out there and do the job you are contractually obliged to do." Or they see it in the capitalist terms which are dominating the football business and simply say that they are going to realise their assets for a profit to the tune of £X millions etc.

One key issue here is that, if Everton want to truly "develop their business" at the moment, then they put their price on their asset and simply demand that it is met or their asset stays very much where he is. After all, in the way of the football world at the moment, Stones is no more nor less than a commodity.

At the personal level unfortunately, money is not the root of all evil for nothing and if he is able to quadruple his salary, move to the fleshpots of London, play with far better players than he will have at Everton, play at the top levels of the game and have medals and honours to show his grandchildren... then who, at the personal level, would say that the lad has any choice?

I have written elsewhere about something similar but I am of an age when we were rebuilding the team in the sixties and it was the most exciting of times to have new signings appearing in five or six consecutive home games from the Bobby Collins era through to the Roy Vernon eras and sadly we did not feel for the fans of Celtic, Blackburn, Hearts, Dundee, or Burnley.

Seemingly what comes around goes around; however good Stones is, and however great he may become, he nor any other footballer is irreplaceable. Having now joined the ranks of clubs especially susceptible to those clubs dominating the current market (as we once did), then Everton are now forced to simply squeeze the last rouble from whichever corrupt oligarch may come calling.

Tom R Owen
152 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:09:06
I'm with Nick (#110). 20 years of lack of investment in the club has meant Everton will NEVER be able to hold on to any young player with ambition and the skills to match.

Kenwright has ruined OUR club.

Thanks, Bill.

Chris Owens
153 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:09:34
Are we all excited and confident about the prospects of Everton challenging at the top this year with a significantly stronger squad after last season's 'blip'?

No, and neither is John Stones.

He's not a scouser, so he does have options, unlike us supporters. Why would he want to stay for more of the same?

If the club had shown a glimmer of ambition in the transfer market, then maybe things might have been different.

Grant Smith
154 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:09:40
I wouldn't mind if our lack of spending and selling Stones was to fund a stadium... but who am I kidding?
Ian McDowell
155 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:09:42
Absolutely scandalous for an established Premier League team to be starting the season with only two fit centre-backs available.
Colin Leary
156 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:11:18
Keep him and bench him, I think. He needs to realise signing and commiting to a five-year contract shouldn't be taken lightly. Shouldn't mess a club about who committed and backed and believed in him.

If it was an 80s movie about a player who got too big for his boots, we would be booing in the cinema.

Danny Broderick
157 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:11:22
Like Kieran (#85) says, Everton have form for this. The players are normally interested in a transfer – who wouldn't be interested in playing for top clubs in the Champions League and winning trophies? For more money as well? Take our Everton bias out of it and it's a no-brainer.

The club says to the player that he can leave, but only if he hands in a transfer request. The player does this, then the club calls in some favours in the media to make the player look bad. The fans lap it up every time, and the club get away with it Scott free. It happened to Rooney, it happened to Speed, it happened to Jeffers, it happened to Arteta.

We are the lowest spenders in the league. Our motto should be changed to 'survival is good enough'. Why would the hottest prospect in English football right now – a player who is talked about as a future England captain – be happy to stay at a club that shows no ambition?

Hopefully this is a wake-up call. I understand John Stones's prerogative – stay with us or join the Champions.

Until we get a board who can match the ambitions of the players and the fans, we will keep on losing our top players when the cash is flashed.

John Raftery
158 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:11:25
Chris (#116) Stones must play. There is nobody else.
Andy Walker
159 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:12:37
I'm sure this will have not been a surprise to EFC unless they are incredibly naïve and I don't think that's the case. What annoys me is the patronising treatment of the fans. Do they really think we are so stupid as to believe they never were going to sell him?

We have to sit and watch this PR exercise of 'we'll not sell him' play out to free the club and manager from blame or responsibility for selling him and put it all on the player's shoulders. So the bad guy is now Stones and some fans will vent their spleen towards him rather than seeing through the smoke and mirrors and realise they've been played by their club.

Meanwhile, the important matter of replacements and having enough time to get them in place is marginalised as a lesser priority. The deal should have been done weeks ago putting us in the driving seat to bring in fresh blood. A fucking disgrace.

Kunal Desai
160 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:12:47
Oh Johnny Johnny, Johnny Johnny Johnny Evans to the resssscue!
Oliver Molloy
163 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:15:14
Jags said on Sunday that the club had been firm with Stones, so it was obvious that conversations had taken place, so no surprise to me anyway.

As an Everton supporter and football fan, I would now like to see our chairman and manager release a statement saying:

"John Stones has submitted a transfer request which the club has turned down. John Stones is contracted to Everton and will remain at Everton this season," and whatever other shit they want to say.

AS LONG AS WE SHOW WE WILL NOT CAVE IN – IT IS TIME TO SHOW WHO IS IN CHARGE ONCE AND FOR ALL.

If we sell, it MUST be for big money (£35 million won't cut it); if we don't, Stones knows he has to get on with it, and he will.

This is him pleasing his future master and saving his face.

Rant over!

Andy Meighan
164 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:16:07
A lot of people in denial on here; the brutal truth is he wants away and it's no shock. "I won’t believe it til I see it" etc... Well, believe it, boys, because he’s going and if we’re all honest we always knew.

Although it pains me to say this, them across the park are a far bigger club than us. They lost Suarez last season and now Sterling this. Did anyone think a tinpot board like ours or manager would block this move? No, thought not.

Let’s say we get £35m / £40m for him. By the time Barnsley get their cut I’d be worried who this manager might bring in. I can’t see this South American centre-back slotting right in so we still need 2 quality centre-halves plus the so called No 10 he’s banged on about and a striker.

I hope this link with the Brazilian Bernard is gossip because what I’ve seen of him he’s no better than what we’ve got. Yarmolenko? I think that ship has sailed. Lennon? Done, ok on loan but don’t think he’s the answer. I wouldn’t trust Martinez to go to the corner shop for me let alone run amok with a load of money in this window.

Like a few have said, I hope this Stones business is done quickly because time is running out now. The next few days are going to be interesting, that’s for sure.

Sean Patton
165 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:16:48
Shithouse behaviour from Stones which ranks him alongside Lescott and the baldy badgekisser by doing this with a week to go in the window or maybe that is the picture the board are painting.

Say what you like about Sterling but at least he was honest about his intentions and it was all done early on instead of this slow inevitable drawn out mess.

David Barks
166 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:17:10
Anyone surprised by this should probably have their heads examined. This was so predictable it's not even funny. Why would he stay? Chelsea will offer more money. Like it or not, London is more attractive to players. He'll be in the Champions League. He will start every season knowing that they are likely to be holding at least one trophy by the end of the year.

And, on most weekends he's going to have a much easier job, knowing that his team is likely dominating the opposition in the opposition's half. As opposed to being under constant pressure and having to receive countless back passes from Barry or McCarthy.

Everton have had all window to bring in a few top quality players, in an attempt to at least show that we intend on being ambitious. But he's seen us bring in Cleverly who spent last season at nearly relegated Aston Villa, and Deulofeu who gets to sit the bench. Meanwhile we've started every match with 4 central midfielders, 3 of them in the defensive mold, and have only started a wide man in one of our three matches.

Yet we just spent the week after one win against Southampton being told by many on here that Martinez has us on the right track, and the Board isn't that bad. Only for us to start the last match with a kid at left back, who had to be replaced by another kid, who had to play out of position. Be honest: if he was in the Chelsea team in time to face us, how many balls do you think he'd actually have to defend? Meanwhile, Jagielka and God knows who else will be scrambling around our box for 90 minutes.

Julian Wait
167 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:18:41
The issue here is that Chelsea have left it too late to make what would really be a fair offer at £40m; were we to have time to replace him, and solve our other issues re cover. So unless we have a suitable replacement lined up, plus filling the two missing CB spots we already have, it's got to be no deal from the board.

Problem is that Chelsea need him now, given Terry's form and their lack of cover. Personally, I don't think £40m is worth the impact it has to both our season AND the perception of the club in the long term.

Jon Cox
168 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:19:40
These pieces of monetary crap need to know that the game is up. Oi, board of directors, Stones goes then so do you. Why? BECAUSE YOU'RE ALL LIARS. My mum once said before she died, "better a thief than a liar".

Keep him for another year, you know it makes (financially) sense. If they still want him after a season in the Under-21s then no problem, just let it be £60 mill plus. Oh and by the way Mourinho, Looking forward to the game at Goodison are you? Yeah... so are we, you cunt.

Andy Walker
169 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:20:16
Colin (#52), please take your head out of the sand, mate. Your optimism is admirable but sadly misplaced.
Matt Muzi
170 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:20:16
Sean @140, agree it does make you look at the Sterling saga in a different light, that said the Kopites handle these situations far better than we do, unfortunately.
Kevin Tully
171 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:20:19
Fook me, here we are bottom of the spending League (again) being left behind by Championship clubs, and suddenly, one of our best young prospects looks like he's out of the door. How many time can someone piss down your legs and tell you it's raining?

Could go on, but can't be arsed. Let's instead demonise this young lad shall we?

Brian Wilkinson
172 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:20:23
Cannot blame Everton Football Club, Bill, or Bobby for this, 3 times they have been told Stones is not for sale, a further letter sent to Chelsea stating hes not for sale.

Once a player hands in a transfer request, pointless keeping hold of the player.

Whats the point reporting Chelsea, a fines nothing to them.

I just hope City ot utd come in for him and he goes there instead.

We will always be bigger than any player, get rid and bring in reinforcements.

Lets not forget, when we let Rooney go, we ended up in the champions league qualifiying round.

Denver Daniels
173 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:20:31
The week from hell. First the City defeat, then the Yarmolenko deal falling through, now this.

To think on Saturday night I was as positive about our prospects as I've been for a long time.

Can it get any worse?

Drew Shortis
174 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:21:08
Decline his request. It is too late to rebuild out defence now. He may be disappointed but if he wants to be in the England squad next summer and if he want's to ensure that the big clubs will still want him next summer he will have no choice but to put his hurt feelings to one side, train hard and play at his best. He's on a long contract and for me this changes nothing!
David Hallwood
175 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:21:29
Gents football's fucked? It always has been!! Evertonians of a certain vintage remember when we did the same thing as Chelsea; Martin Dobson from Burnley, Gary Linacre from Leicester, Tony Cottee from WHU, Ian Snodin from Leeds even Alan Ball from Blackpool etc etc

What's killing us is that we ARE the new Burnley, so don't put the blame on Stones or Rooney or Arteta, it's not their fault that its come to this. 30 years ago if Kendall would've called Sharp into his office and told him Man U had made a bid, how would he have reacted? "I'm moving to a bigger and better club" Get out of it, the best spin on it would've been a sideways move.

Everyone who boos and shouts Judas at Rooney, he can reply "Do you wanna see my trophies cabinet" and Stones wants to be able to say the same thing as Rooney in 10 years time.

If (and only if) he's put a request in get as much as we can for him, but it comes with a warning, as Burnley showed in the 70's the policy of developing young players and flogging them to bigger clubs is dependent on having a flow of talent. What do we do if the talent ever dried up?

Drew Shortis
176 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:23:06
Also, if we give in now it is a sign to the vultures like Chelsea, the press and our own youngsters that Everton are a pushover with no ambition or determination. Selling now will be disastrous!
Bobby Thomas
178 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:25:33
Waved Stones goodbye months ago. If he stays its only for 1 more season anyway.

In the next few years he's going to be a few stations above what we can really hope to achieve any time soon.

The main thing is, as we are so light at center hald we could be causing ourselves a huge problem. We are already ropey enough at the back. Selling Stones would mean we'd need another 2 center halves in. Plus the South American isn't even nailed on yet. Bedding in 3 center halves with no pre-season? We can't sell.

I've had a bad feeling about this season all summer. We shall see.

Kunal Desai
179 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:25:59
In all seriousness though this is same old Everton they get bent over yet again with a good bumming. As soon as Chelsea started increasing there bids this was going to be another long drawn out saga like Lescott. You can deny it all you want.

First option would have been to tell Chelsea and the player before the season began this is the price up until this date. If you don't match our valuation then there is no deal and both Chelsea and the player are explicitly made clear of the deal.

Second option would have been the board telling the likes of Stones 'We want to build a team around the likes you and Barkley and a few others', lay down a statement of intent and get three/four quality players' well before the season got underway.

This board will never ever learn scrounging around for players last minute, but I expect nothing less because of the shambles we have had to endure under there stewardship for the last 16 odd years. This does not surprise me one bit.

The word 'contingency' probably means nothing to this rabble.
They will say we couldn't get the right replacements in but funds will be made available in January blah blah blah....January arrives and we all know what happens don't we??

Phil Rodgers
180 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:26:22
I really thought he was better than this. I guess I was naive to think he was a bit different.

Also, no offical comment from the club whatsoever. They treat the fans with utter comtempt and I am truly sick of it. The club is ran like a penny arcade and it really needs to stop. Everton are a established premier league club in 2015. It beggars belief that we are in any way competitve considering the staggering incompetence at boardroom level.

I honestly think its too late to sell him now. He really should be told to stick his request where the sun don't shine.

Dick Fearon
181 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:28:10
If this club and its board had shown any real ambition top players would be queuing up to join.
I hope we do not wallow in hatred or self pity as we did over Rooney.
That lad was pilloried for choosing a path that by any standard was best for him and his future and dare I say, Everton.
Dave Lynch
183 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:29:32
Tried to post earlier but site in meltdown.

Contrived?

" Listen John, bang in a transfer request mate. Bill is already taking a ton of shit from the fans, it will treble your wages and we need the money. Fans have short memories and it will all blow over in a couple of months".

If not he's a wanker...

Joe Foster
185 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:31:59
Press saying 5 mil bid for Fazio......here we go.
Eric Holland
186 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:33:35
The Yarmolenko deal is still ongoing just that they are asking for extra cash for add on's I have heard it is like dealing with the Mafia..
Ian Cowhig
187 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:35:28
In my view, the club were showing ambition telling Chelsea were to go.

There was a number of central defenders linked e.g. Van Dyk, Koulibaly, Dante. But all of them would have not come to Everton unless guaranteed starters. So would we drop our Captain or Stones? This is why Funes Mori for me was the correct decision as a back up, with Browning and Galloway as other options.

I am not sure whether Stones has sat on this, or there has been discussions going on in the background. People close to Stones had said he was not interested in leaving. And so this could be a complete turn around, and may have come completely out the blue.

We need to carry on showing ambition, and tell John that he will not be given permission to leave. Exactly as Liverpool did with Suarez. Once Suarez knew he wasn't leaving, he apologised to the fans, got on with it. Then unfortunately proceeded to tear every defence to shreds the following year.

People are assuming John Stones will down tools. I don't believe that will be the case if Everton stop Stones leaving. The fans should then get behind the lad, rather than boo him. This would show him what a special place he is at, and hopefully make him think again about leaving.

Colin Glassar
188 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:36:31
Deeply, deeply disappointed in Stones for doing this. I was totally convinced he had bought into the idea of being a part of a project but I suppose after the city game he thought "why wait for a few years? I can have this now".

Still, all is not lost. We can do what the rs did with Suarez and say give us another season and you can go wherever you want and we will get the money you are worth. Arsenal did it with Viera and Henry as well.

I think he's a decent kid and I hope Martinez will tell him that he's not going this season and to get his head down and concentrate on his football. We hold all the cards as he's on a long term contract and as Wood said, it's too late to sell now.

I don't know how this will play out but he won't be the first or last player to have a change of mind/heart. But I do believe we should study some kind of legal action against Chelsea and their media hounds. This sort of behaviour by them is disgusting.

David Hallwood
189 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:36:57
Fazio Who?? personally I'd like Scott Dann or Ashley Williams. Good old fashioned stoppers read the game well and up to speed with the prem and then blood the youngsters in
Jim Bennings
190 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:36:57
Guy's we can't keep him now, he doesn't want to stay so why deny ourselves 33 million or whatever it is!!

Are these realistic targets??

Van Djik

Fazio (dodgy one in my opinion)

Evans

Michael Dawson

Ashley Williams

Ron Vlaar

Shawcross (injured but could be back soon)

Winston Reid

I'm not mad on some of them to be honest but I'm merely asking if they are realistic targets?

As for other targets, I still want to see Charlie Austin in, I can't get excited by this Leandro Rodriguez kid I'm sorry!

We should also be sensible and find a left back to cover for Oviedo whilst Baines is out.

Gerard Carey
191 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:37:35
Really gutted. Maybe it's a bad dream. And we wonder why we are called a small club by others. Sky 4 or 5 are all that matters. Pissed off.
Craig Mills
192 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:38:18
Celtic out of Champions League, I suggest we get straight on the phone to Celtic Park for Van Dyke, can we organise a taxi to drop McGeedy off whilst we are on with them too.
Eddie Dunn
193 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:38:27
Right on Colin, let him run out against Them on the 12th Sept.
Darryl Ritchie
194 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:38:36
We may have to move Besic back CB. Centerback is his original position and the universe knows we're lacking bodies there.
Brian Wilkinson
195 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:38:40
Van Gal is still smarting from the Pedro mugging, do not be suprised if they put a bid in.
Phil Rodgers
196 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:39:10
I agree Colin, the media have been absolutely disgraceful. Should see Martin Samuel on Twitter. Absolute scumbag of the highest calibre.
Mike Oates
197 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:39:38
I'm afraid until we start to act with ambition, demonstrating to our quality kids that we mean business then the Rooney's, Rodwells, Stones will go for money, but mainly for medals . If we lose Stones then watch this space as I'm sure as eggs are eggs Lukaku and Barkley will follow, maybe not in this window but either in January or next summer.
Why didn't the board, the manager go out in July and splash what cash - a £30-40m spend on 1 or 2 players would have shown our young lads we mean business.
But we don't, we never will as our way is by living on scraps.
Peter Laing
200 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:42:19
People need to get a grip blaming a 21 year old kid for the latest in a long line of transfer fiasco's to besmirch the once proud name of Everton FC. This is our modus operandi under Kenwright, we have previous on such dealings ;

Rooney
Lescott
Arteta

Too name just a few, the money cones in, about a 1/3rd is reinvested in the squad and the rest is siphoned off into the black hole of other operating costs.

Drew Shortis
201 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:43:33
Mike Oates 171
Spot on. All this dithering over Yarmalenko is sending out the wrong signals. Sure we need to be sensible with our money, but knowing who and when to sign can have a significant affect on the rest of the squad as well as on the fans. Bringing in Yarmalenko would have been a big statement of ambition. Two cheap South American unknowns isn't inspiring anyone.
Daniel O'Sullivan
202 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:44:00
Let him go. At Everton, we should want players committed to the club rather than ones wanting to force through a move, 6 days before the Deadline Day, so they can sit on the bench earning £100k at Chelski. Like others have said, theres; Van Dijk, Evans etc. and this’d also give us extra funds to follow through with Yarmolenko (who I highly rate).

John Stones. You are a traitor, everything we’ve done for you since you joined us, by making you the player you are. £40 million is crazy money and I’d accept it.

NSNO

Dennis Ng
203 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:44:23
Colin, I would like to think there is another season in this situation but my gut is telling me the best to hope for is a bidding war. I think Stones will continue to play well for us even if he doesn't leave this summer but the word got out now, so doesn't help our cause.
Joe Foster
204 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:44:52
So this years tv money has disappeared and the only way we can buy is if we sell our best. BK/board out.
Tony Abrahams
206 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:48:40
If we only have two fit Centrebacks for tomorrow's game, then Stones should be selected. Carry on regardless!
Paul Kelly
207 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:49:08
Tell him he's staying, he'll be worth double after one more season, or 60 m plus now. Play hard ball for once.
Peter Laing
208 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:49:32
Everton FC under Kenwright is like North Korea, John Moores will be swivelling 360 in his grave god rest his soul
Dave Lynch
210 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:50:10
A few years ago if Everton got beat it used to ruin my weekend, I'd get angry and seethe for a couple of days.

Now,I get mildly irritated.

Is it any fucking wonder...

Phil Sammon
211 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:50:28
What horrible news to wake up to. I still actually can't believe it. Maybe this 'request' has been encouraged by the board? Stones seems like such a good lad.

Tell him to get his head down and he can go in Jan. It's too late to do it this window...though grateful for the weeks notice.

I'm genuinely sad.

Bill Gall
212 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:50:41
This whole unprofessional situation must be blamed right were it belongs . From the chairman and the board down to the manager for (a) letting both backup central defenders go and with 6 days to go have still not brought in any suitable replacement, just relying on untried youth players. And now (b) if they let Stones go having to scramble to bring in a suitable experienced replacement.

Although having experienced the normal last minute scrambling at the end of the transfer window with Everton, this is going from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Jim Bennings
213 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:50:44
Besic is too small and poorly disciplined to be a centre half at Premier League standard, imagine him up against some of the strikers in this league??

He'd get torn a new one!!!

Kelvin Thomas
214 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:50:50
Im keeping my cool on this one.
Surely, surely Everton have had a plan for two possible scenarios for some time.
1. Stones is staying=Mori as a back-up CB and a bid for Yarmolenko.
2. Stones is to leave if he hands a TR and Chelsea meet valuation=Van Dijk/Evans ready to come in, Yarmalenko and a couple more.
I still feel we will hang on to him!
Thomas Surgenor
215 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:51:54
Van djik is not the answer!

IF TRUE, deeply disappointed in Stones but I'm not convinced it's true.

Phil Sammon
217 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:52:19
Meanwhile, Cuadrado leaves Chelsea on loan.

Brace yourself, John.

Craig Mills
218 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:53:06
We have all summer to strengthen, all the scouts, all the network of connections and this is the best we can do. Martinez guaranteed we will end the window stronger and with an improved squad, well I'm really sorry to say this but with a few days to go, I can only see us ending this window woefully short on anything that would be considered stronger. Someone within the Goodison towers should hang their head in shame, truly pathetic.
Colin Glassar
219 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:53:09
I feel like I've been punched in the gut and left winded tbh. There's some div in the mirror sticking the knife in asking who do Everton think we are denying a player a move to Chelsea?

Just out of sheer spite I hope we have an ABC policy (anyone but Chelsea) and tell them, publicly, to fuck off. Martinez should come out tomorrow and say, "John Stones will play tonight against Barnsley. JS will not be granted a transfer this season and, John Stones will never be sold to Chelsea". Let's see what their media skivvies say about that.

Martin Faulkner
220 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:53:18
Like others have mentioned. I reckon we need to stand firm, reject his request and sell next year, it's too late to sell now we'll get mugged trying to replace him.
Thomas Surgenor
221 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:55:05
For what it counts, the source (sky) have reigned back their odds from 1/8 earlier to 1/4. So looks like they not fully believe their own source.
Stu Smith
222 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:55:19
This reminds me of the Rooney saga. The board and even Moyes said he wasn't going then low and behold......

However, I will say that Stones and his agent have conducted themselves very well, especially compared to Sterling.

John Aldridge
223 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:55:41
Keep Stones until we find a suitable replacement If that is not possible before the window shuts, he stays until January and we have an auction for him - if the price goes up to £40-50M then the rentboys will have to pay it. At the end of the day he's under contract, and we must act in the interests of the club first, his interests second.

On another note, I really think a formal complaint to the FA needs to be submitted The whole sorry tale stinks and Chelsea's behaviour is nothing short of disgraceful - blatant tapping up if ever I saw it.

Duncan McDine
224 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:55:42
In my case Colin, there's always some div in the mirror...
Nick Armitage
225 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:56:01
To people who say we'll move on, that's not the issue. The money from Rooney, Lescott, Arteta, Rodwell and Fellaini was never made available to the manager to spend. Why?

The Stones money will disappear to the British Virgin Islands yet again to pay back high interest loans because the directors of the Everton Football Club Company Limited do not have any assets to act as collateral to take out a normal commercial loan. Therefore we lurch from one high interest short term bridging loan to the next. The board have sold everything except the stadium. If the club can clear £5m on Lukaku he'll be next. McCarthy has just signed an extension, so his value goes up and he'll be gone next season too.

Every player has his price, but this wholesale asset stripping will not end until Bill Kenwright and his backers and cronies are no longer running this club.

When Kenwright, Green, Earl et al see a conveyor belt of talent they just think that's cash in the bank. This is the reason that the club has never been sold and this is the real reason why we never keep top players. We are run by leeching control freaks with no idea or no ambition. Kenwright put in nothing and his stake (offshored) is now worth around £50M. Private Eye were all over him a few years back. When is that going to sink in?

Go on Twitter and read @WatchedToffee

Phil Rodgers
226 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:56:36
Spot on Bill, how we could start the season without another centre half at the club is absolutely ludicrous.
Rob Newling
227 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:56:39
Seriously, does anyone really think Stones has any say in this ? If the club want to sell him, then he's gone !
Not sure what all this poncing around with offers is though. If he's worth $40M, why start @ $20M ? If he's overpriced, then do one Chelski & buy someone you can afford !!
Still reckon it's just a dance - deal's probably been stitched up weeks ago. No doubt it'll all be 'official' on deadline day - just hope the Club have got the replacements nailed down !!
Craig Mills
228 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:57:28
Well said Colin, it'd be great to hear Martinez come out and says that.
Adam Smith
229 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:57:29
Not posted for a very long time; thought I'd let the general negativity play out! One thing I just have to get off my chest in all this, and yes it is negative ironically(!), is why does everyone on every Everton fan forum seem desperate for us to sign Van Dijk from Celtic?

Now, I hope Stones stays (lord knows it's too tight a timescale to find a decent replacement, never mind the cost), but seemingly every Everton fan condemns Jonny Evans as shite; this Funes Mori is also shite apparently, but Van Dijk is somehow a world-beater waiting in the wings?

Now I've been waiting, watching this pan out but now that we may actually need a Stones replacement, I have to cry bullshit!!

Evans is a decent player who is unfairly maligned. Had he have been our third choice CB I'd have no qualms. As a Stones replacement however - no way.

Funes Mori may well be shite, but people have judged him before they have seen him kick a ball other than on youtube clips - which are never overly favourable towards defenders. Honestly now, how many of you have ever seen him play? I know I haven't and I waste loads of my time watching football from around the world.

Seems many people are basing this opinion on the judgment of Tim Vickery - a man who spouts such utter guff every time he opens his mouth on the subject of football! He is no more than a football hipster, swanning around the Copacabana beach in his sandals and canvas slacks pretending to know about football so he can continue to live his glamorous life in the southern hemisphere, whilst being handsomely paid for his freelance football journalism. During the World Cup, I listened to everything he had to say, and anything he said regarding actual analysis of football, I found to be wanting. I actually cringed every time I heard him offer an opinion both during and after, as it was so far removed from accuracy, that even accounting for differences of opinion, I wondered how he could do this as a living! I came to the conclusion he knows a lot about South America, but very little about football! Now Mori may well be shit but I hardly think Vickery is the sage on this that he is made out to be. Just google his comments when Spurs signed Paulinho as just one of many examples of this!

As for Van Dijk, I know good players can come from bad leagues, but are you being serious?! He is slow, lazy, a poor passer, totally one-footed and seems off balance a lot when making tackles. As stated before, we all have different opinions and I know many will slate me for saying this when I have just had a go at a professional journalist's opinion but I am genuinely interested to know why so many Evertonians I speak to are desperate for us to sign him? I have seen him play maybe eight times now and have been very unimpressed! Surely someone like that Koulibaly at Napoli (just off the top of my head) would be a much better option if we end up in need of a starting CB?

Like I said though, I am as devastated by this news as the rest of you and am not having a go at any one (well, Vickery and Van Dijk aside!) but having spoken with lots of Evertonians during this Stones saga, I would be keen to know. Whoever it is, it looks distressingly like we will be buying another new CB now! Fucking hate being a blue sometimes!

Ian Hollingworth
230 Posted 25/08/2015 at 21:57:49
KENWRIGHT AND CO ITS TIME TO GO and take Bobby with you please

The whole saga stinks to high heaven. In the last week as the transfer deadline and hence the inevitable Stones deal approaches we are suddenly linked with all sorts of players
I would like to believe that a professional club with even the slightest hint of ambition would have a scouting network and targets identified etc. Bobby even hinted very early on about the positions he was after but absolutely nothing rumoured etc on any of these targets until this last week.

All our transfer dealings seem very hit and miss and almost unprofessional.

Sick of the way this club is run, NO AMBITION.

KENWRIGHT AND CO ITS TIME TO GO

Raymond Fox
231 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:00:00
What will Roberto make of the saga if the owners say he is to be sold!
I think Martinez took the job on the understanding that in the long run he would be allowed to attempt to produce a top 4 side from developing young players from the youth system.
If Stones is promptly sold it rather knocks that project in the head before its really got started.

What of Barkley, will he be next? Looks likely doesn't it!
Oh the joys of supporting Everton.

Martinez could possibly resign, I know that would please some but I would be sorry to see him go.
The cynics amongst you are probably thinking he will never resign and you could of course be right, but his sale would sink any hopes that we are a club on the up.

Steve Burgess
232 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:00:14
We still hold the cards on any deal. Stones, with his apparent ambition wouldn't want to risk falling out of England contention for the Euros so stand firm on no sale till next season (allowing appropriate time to source appropriate replacements) and that being dependent on a club matching our asking price. Set a price and fax it out to all of the top clubs (this would of course exclude Chelsea) and seek bids in sealed envelopes for July 2016. Let the lad know he has a season to earn a transfer, secure his England position and give him an opportunity to play for his employers against his former employers tomorrow.
Andy Crooks
233 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:00:32
I would prefer to get a huge fee for Stones and never see him in an Everton shirt again. If his head has been turned he should have made this request some time ago.

If he wants to earn even more money and buy medals I certainly can understand. Leaving it this late, however, in my view raises doubts as to his loyalty, integrity and decency. If I was a team mate I would be disappointed in him as a supporter he no longer matters. He will fit in perfectly at Chelsea.

Colin Glassar
234 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:00:51
I even got into a fight with Phil McNulty tonight on twitter. I called him a gossip mongerer and he wasn’t best pleased (I did apologise) but he thinks Everton will turn this "request" down as we don’t have to sell him.

I see WBA have told spurs to sod off as well. They want almost £30m and spurs are offering £20m in installments. No one has to sell any more with the sky money. I truly hope to god that our spineless custodians stand firm over this. I’d rather have an upset player (he’ll get over it) than no player at all.

Oliver Molloy
235 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:00:57
And by the way Craig @ 166 even though Celtic are crap they were absolutely robbed by an awful referee all night.

Worst referee performance I’ve seen in along time.

Celtic denied an obvious goal and several sending off decisions bottled by this guy.

Makes you wonder was there money involved!
Nick Armitage
236 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:01:03
John Aldridge - why would they complain to the FA?

A big bid for Stones was exactly what the club wanted.

Tony Steele
237 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:01:13
I’m torn. We are a selling club. Most are. And we need to sell assets to add to the squad unfortunately. But if we sell now, it damages our performances on the pitch and publicly embarrasses the manager and the club.

Lewandowski was told to stay put. De Gea’s been told to stay put so we should tell Stones the same. It always surprises me how short-sighted players can be. He could stay for one more season, have a cracking Euros, and then leave, giving his club enough time to plan for a replacement.
Ged Simpson
238 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:02:26
Stones can piss off but the board will now get a load of grief…rightly. Now many ( inc me ) will back the protests
Christine Foster
239 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:02:26
Putting this in context, it was disgraceful that the situation regarding the speculation was allowed to continue. The board should have told Chelsea and Stone immediately that the player was not for sale. End of. But no they leave the door open with NO official board response, so Chelsea pounce and wind up the lad and persist. There was always only ever one outcome because we didn't have the balls to publically and formally state he was not for sale. Stones obviously was left with the door ajar and with Terry sent off and out of form the message to tap him up was obviously reinforced with money.
Bad, naive management by the club at best, or at worst it was contrived to see how much they could get.. Disgraceful and amateurish yet again. It makes me weep, it makes me angry.
Nick Page
240 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:03:10
Nick Armitage, a kindred spirit. Great post, Sir. When will everyone else wake up to the cancer that is running (ruining) this grand old football club? We deserve better. Wake up, Evertonians. Please.
Oliver Molloy
241 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:06:21
Colin - we won't sell him - we can't, it would be madness and Bill Kenwright position at the club would be untenable.
Mike Oates
242 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:07:42
Martinez has overseen the truly total collapse of Everton’s squad in the last few months. Totally short at, Centre Back , Right and Left Back cover, creative midfielder, attacker and wide men who can help defend. We are faced with a squad who will rely for cover on Hibbert (when fit), 2 young kids in Browning and Galloway (both unproven in PL), Oviedo (when fit), a La Liga misfit in Deulofeu who cant defend for toffee, and McAleny who is 23 and played about 10 games in 3 seasons.

Words just fail me when I see links with 2 South Americans, one who could develop into a CB and the other who plays in the equivalent of our 2nd Division.

It's just disgraceful for the board either in not supporting Martinez earlier in the pre-season or for believing him that we can move forward based on youth and signing 17-20 yr olds with promise.

Phil Walling
243 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:08:47
Well, it's not as though Alan Ball is leaving, is it ? Who of us ever shed tears over a bloody centre-half ?
Richard Reeves
244 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:11:33
You couldn’t make it up It’s like a badly written play. Now we have fans saying he can’t stay and there’s nothing the board could of done...unbelievable,.

I bet Kenwright can’t believe his luck. We’ll soon see how sincere they were; he’s contracted for five years so we CAN keep hold of him for another year and still spend money on other players. That’s if they aren’t lying again...
Frank Duffy
245 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:11:38
If the story is right then Everton do not have to accept Stones written transfer request. If he does not like it then put him in the reserves and if he doesn’t like that then do not pay him. It's all in the club's hands. It's about time some club makes a stand.
Dave Lynch
246 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:12:38
I did when Labby passed, Phil...
Chris Kelly
247 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:12:48
The more I think of it, the more I think we say no. Now is the time to make a stand if we seriously think we might have a chance at a decent finish this season. I think the while quality of the league is getting better. Apart from Sunderland I think it will be tighter this season. So why not us to have a good run. We played well at Southampton and a few extra quality players may just do the trick. Sell stones and unless we have some quality lined up, it will be like popping a balloon for the players and fans alike. Expectations and belief in the team will fade; the manager will not be able to motivate and the board and club look like light weights. Other quality players will be packing their bags and looking for a club with ambition.
Colin Glassar
249 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:15:23
Bloody hell Phil, don't mention Bally or will get me bawling.

I said ages ago, when this all started, that this is an existentialist issue. What are we? And what do we want to be? It's up to you and your cronies Bill.

John Aldridge
250 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:17:07
Back protests against the board? Up until now, no I would hot have. Now they have got exactly what they really wanted? Yes, I would.

They could have come out early on and stated categorically that he was not for sale - they didn't. That speaks volumes for me. Martinez did - the board did not back up his stance. It's clear now they have no ambition, there's going to be a different atmosphere at Goodison from this point on that's for sure.

As for Stones himself - I'm sorry I know there's no loyalty in Football anymore but what a shithouse thing to do to a club that gave him his big chance. Days before the window shuts. If he realises the welcome Sterling got on Sunday, that's nothing compared to what that little shithouse will get. He's gone down in my estimation.

Utterly dejected, where on earth are we going to find a suitable replacement in a few days? Most of the names mentioned so far I wouldn't have wearing the shirt to be quite frank.

Oliver Molloy
251 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:18:48
Mike, Colin, we won’t sell him - we can’t, it would be madness and Bill Kenwright's position at the club would be untenable. You can blame Martinez for picking the team and tactics on the pitch, but you can’t blame him for having a board that have a track record of not spending money and when they do, they like to leave it last so to save wages.

How is Martinez or any manager of a Premier League club supposed to work with that!?
John Jones
252 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:19:55
Hey Ho, Just watched the Vine of Mr Woods being asked if he will sell John Stones and he said me or Bill will not sell. Will post when I find again; too much work and vodka listening to Echo and the Bunnymen, feeling like a c**t. I fought this online for over a week.

Oh well football is football. Undermined, the board need to do something.

Hey Ho. A Vendetta is a promise. I know who his agent is.
Chris Hockenhull
253 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:20:02
Thank you John Stones...happy this time last year to sign y 5 year deal. You had all summer to do this and at least let those who gave you that contract last year, your colleagues, and the manager who went to the board and made the ploy that they give you that contract a chance to sort things out for the season.

But no, greedy fuckers who shit on the fans and club. Tonight my love since 1963 hit it’s all time low. As Dylan wrote ’Money doesn’t talk..it swears’. Go quietly into the night too from the other Dylan to the land of the chavs ’Stonesy’...

My arse.
Colin Glassar
254 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:22:50
Hope you’re right Oliver. This could be a PR disaster for luvvie luvvie and even his mates in the media won’t be able to help him.

I wonder what Martinez is thinking right now? "And I taught dat old Dave was a cheap, lying twat"
Dave Arrow
255 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:23:33
Me actually Phil (209)

1971 Semi-Final against our neighbours at OT. 1-0 up and cruising, Brian Labone does his hamstring. You know the rest.

It was the start of the end.....or the end of the start ......for the team that was set to dominate English football in the 70's.

Supporting Everton through the 70's was certainly character building.

There is an inevitability about the way the JS soap opera is playing out. I hope the board grows a pair and rejects the request.

RM's "project" is built around developing and/or buying young prospects. If this transfer goes through it blows a massive hole in this and sends completely the wrong message to Barkley, Lukaku et al, let alone us beleaguered supporters.

btw, anyone thinking Van Dyke is the answer clearly didn't watch those 2 legs against an average Swedish side.

Richard Lyons
256 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:23:40
I'm very depressed about this. Somehow it's worse than when Rooney put in his transfer request, because it really felt like there was nothing jumped up about Stones, that he was taking it all in his stride maturely, and that he was happy to stay at Everton for the time being.

How on earth is any team ever going to challenge the Sky League if every half decent player gets bought from under their noses? There ought to be a law against it...

Jon Cox
257 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:25:32
David Hallwood

"
Everyone who boos and shouts Judas at Rooney,"

Scuse me mate, but I and 35,000 people didn't boo our boy at his home on the Dunc day. We, and I mean WE, (like were you there), (I,ll bet you weren't) shouted his name from the rooftops from all four sides of the ground in unison.

David tell me the last time you heard all four sides of the ground singing IN UNISON , TOGETHER?

I was there and it happened by an Everton crowd for one of ours. On a lighter note £100 for charity says that within two seasons Wayne will be playing for us.

PS I,ve put £200 on with the bookies......

Nick Wall
258 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:25:39
The lad has been an Everton player for two years. Nothing unreasonable about him wanting to move on and play for Chelski and Mourinho. What is absolutely not on is putting in a transfer request at a critical moment like this after the season's started. The club has to say to him clearly : we'll sell you now only if it suits us, not because it suits you.
John Jones
259 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:25:41
Don't Blame the Kid.

He is a very young boy. Jesus I had 2 Children and doing crazy things at his age.....However I didn't have a greedy fucker wanting to make as much Mooney as possible.

If I post his agents details what will happen?

Shaun Murphy
260 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:27:58
My 7-year-old daughter asked me why Everton haven’t got a big stand like Liverpool's and I couldn't tell her but I will tomorrow:

"It’s because we’re shite, love."

Phil Walling
261 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:28:27
Chris, I'm sure I read somewhere that Stonesey gets a loyalty payment if he's still on the books on 31st August so I guess the move will actually be sealed on 1st September. I don't blame the lad, really, I was always changing jobs in he cause of fame and fortune when I was in my twenties...............look where it got me !
Roman Sidey
262 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:30:36
Apologies if this has been said - too many posts to sift through - but the timing of the request, if true, raises a question or two.

Firstly, did losing on Saturday have anything to do with it? 0-2 is disappointing against anyone, but City are probably going to win the league this season, so not the end of the world. Also, Chelsea aren't exactly lighting it up and struggled to get their first win this weekend too. So, assuming it is Chelsea that he has in mind with the TR, why now and not after one of the previous three bids?

Alternatively, has the upcoming match against Barnsley had anything to do with it? Completely flawed logic if true, but this would be the first time in his life that he has played against a former team, and could be playing with his guts.

The only things left for us to do is decide if he plays the next two matches. We wouldn't want a repeat of the Lescott debacle at Arsenal six years ago, but we need Mori to sign yesterday if he is going to get into the first team by tomorrow.

Dave Arrow
263 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:31:30
Phil (225)

Generally any player that puts in a transfer request forfeits any loyalty payment that is in the contract. Same thing happened when Felli went to United.

Tom R Owen
264 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:31:44
After watching tonight I'd rather have Dick van Dyke than that waster at Celtic
Gerry Quinn
265 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:34:05
http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/Everton/368/blog/post/2580984/Everton-john-stones-not-for-sale-stance-should-stay?
Oliver Molloy
266 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:34:17
Jon,
Your obviously speaking about another testimonial or charity match regards Rooney, or else me thinks you could bed going mad.
David Booth
267 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:35:11
So the inevitable has happened.

Pointless arguing about whether he'll go or not now.

He surely will?

If, as looks virtually certain now, he goes and we get the thick end of £30-plus, please let's not toss it away on a second-rater like Evans. And stop all this nonsense talk about Lennon: what on earth do we need a failed huffer & puffer like him for?

That being said, I don't know who I would go for to replace him. Shawcross is apparently a target we have coveted before, but he's crocked for a couple of months and Stoke seem to have as much, if not more clout than we have right now!

Maybe this Argentine fella has what it takes. If not, I hope Roberto - having been fully aware this was likely to happen long before the lap dog media triumphantly announced it this afternoon - has an ace up his sleeve.

I think Stones could be an iconic player for us for years to come. The foundation of a revival in our fortunes.

He is emerging as the fulcrum of this talented group of players we are developing and his fast emerging authority, leadership and presence on the pitch will missed by all of them.

I'd double his money, make him captain and tell him we'll build this emerging team around him. But do Everton have the will to do so?

A very sad day today. And even more tragic if he leaves.

Love Everton. Hate football.


Gavin Johnson
269 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:37:36
Yes, Phil. At the end of the day he's a CB and while I would be gutted to see him go. We still hold all the cards. Stones is on a long contract so we can dictate the terms of the sale.

Give Chelsea the price of 40m paid upfront. F**k the outstanding money on Rom. That's a different deal and we pay the rest of the instalments as agreed.

I've been happy how Stones as conducted himself on the pitch, but personally I don't want him here for another season if he doesn't want to stay.

Conclude the deals on the 2 south Americans, Iron out the issues holding up the Yarmolenko deal, and buy Van Dijk and Charlie Austin with some of the Stones fee. Of course it's never straight forward as this and we'll probably end up with Aaron Lennon for our marquee No. 10 and Fazio, or Jonny Evans for a replacement CB, with no striker bought either.

Tony Dove
270 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:40:06
This has played out totally predictably from the start and to round off the horror
story will end up with us paying silly money for Evans who is no good, not tall enough and injury prone.
David Williams
271 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:40:10
The board and BK have some serious questions to answer when the dust has settled on this pantomime of a transfer window. I think that ToffeeWeb is the ideal place to formulate these questions, backed with a petition to demonstrate the strength of feeling that is circulating amongst a good many of the supporters.
Milos Milenkovic
272 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:41:06
Jim, regarding Besic, based on what are you talking that? He made one error last season compared to more than 10 made by Stones and Barry. Besic is also more reliable than McCarthy but simply he is playing a lot less.
Christopher Marston
273 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:41:24
I wouldn't trust Martinez with £40 million.
Shaun Murphy
274 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:42:16
I don’t care it’s not worse than Rooney; he could win games on his own and we sold him.

Use the Stones money to expand the Park End, we’re not going anywhere anyway so we should be attracting investors/buyers. Do an Arsenal... half an Arsenal and improve GP.

Ian Riley
275 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:43:16
Mr stones has saved the club around 4-5 million loyality bonus. Our expectations are to high again. Mr stones will double his salary, win trophies, and develop with world class players! Good luck to him!

Those born forty years ago whom have seen the glory years are the lucky ones! Everton are lucky to be in the top flight with the selling and buying policy. My expectations of Everton are survival first and anything else is a bonus.

How much money the manager receives dosent matter. Any player's coming in will be panic buys so late in the transfer window.

Brent Stephens
276 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:43:19
This is horrible. Just horrible. The not knowing. The possibility. A lad who has come so far in a year or so and who is seen as our future. Please don't let it be so. And I'm not talking One fucking Direction.
John Aldridge
277 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:44:22
And as for "should Martinez play him" - no, absolutely not. He should be banished from the first team until this thing is sorted out one way or another. We don't need this poisoning the team spirit. I'd put Browning alongside Jags for now.
Paul Mackie
278 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:46:15
Maybe I'm just in denial but until I see a quote either from Everton, John Stones or his agent I'm just chalking this up as paper bollocks. It happens all the time, one paper runs a story and everyone else reports on the story of the story.

If it is true then we need to take the stance the RS took with Suarez. Tell him he's going nowhere for another year and if he has an outstanding season then maybe he could do even better than Chelsea. Remind him he has a contract for another 4 years and that there's a spot in the U21 bench with his name on it if he fucks about.

Jay Harris
279 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:50:07
Should have listened to logic in the first place.

Mourhino said if the club said he was not for sale at any price they would go away.

Obviously all we said is he is not for sale based on what they bid.

If they do let Stones go then an aeroplane flying over the ground will be the least of their worries.

IMO the whole club is second rate from the board, the management, the marketing dept, through Martinez, Graeme Jones and the medical staff.

I can understand how Stones is feeling because a lot of us have felt that way for some time.

Do you listen to the bullshit about 6 or 7 players or a world class No 10 or do you follow logic and say "We have heard it all before" and while the Premiership is awash with money Everton start to look like Tranmere or Wigan (take your pick)..

Kieran Kinsella
280 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:50:30
Richard Stones it is not worse than Rooney at all. That was absolutely devastating. He was homegrown, he had just had his breakout at Euro 2004. We had been told everything was rosy and we'd never sell. Then we sold him for half what he was worth -- in installments no less and replaced him with Marcus Bent. Granted things worked out OK but at the time, it was much, much worse than this.
Clive Mitchell
281 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:51:39
What a sad world when JS wants to go to FC Creosote. Board has to back RM now and refuse to sell. Really worried about RM’s and his team’s judgement of players. I’ve never heard a more clear cut ’won’t cut it in PL’ than Tim Vickery gave Mori.

It’ll be a big surprise if he’s any good. Ditto for the young Uruguayan. I don’t wish RM ill, but judgement of a player was what Moyes scored highly on. So far RM’s record is poor.
Matt Butlin
282 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:52:18
Do we know how the media heard about the transfer request? Was it leaked by Stones agent or did we just come out with it?
Steve Burgess
283 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:52:34
Ok, on the bright side:

- our defence has been shite since he took over from a 35 year old (a proper pro in hindsight),

- one less Everton player to be the focus of media attention when England display the inevitable inept performance in the next tournament

- his career trajectory may mirror that of Scott Parker, Steve Sidwell and a host of others who enjoyed their time at Chelsea before finding their level at top clubs like Newcastle, Stoke and Fullham

- John Terry will be really happy to lose his position to an adolescent from up north, making for a loving and supportive dressing room

- Let's have fun imaging what quality Martinez will be able to attract with the £10M that he ends up with after the deal.....

I’ll get my coat...
Nick Page
284 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:54:04
Let Stones go and let’s spend the money and get Rooney back. He looks distracted at United. Or is that a stupid idea? Would love him back in a royal blue jersey.

Can’t blame Stones, surely all footballers are ambitious. Good luck to him.
Jim Knightley
286 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:57:29
It's a disgrace that we've not brought another senior CB in. This was always on the cards. The Champions of England are a pull for any player, especially one from a team who finished 11th last season. This happens in football time and time again. Players go for the big move because they are ambitious. This is no Scott Sinclair or Rodwell. This is a 35mil (Est) move to one of the best clubs in the world, where Stones can legitimately hope to displace Terry or Cahill during the next year. We can't be so naive as to think that this might not happen.

Whoever has failed to get a senior CB through the door deserves sacking. It's the 25th of August, and we have 2 senior CBs, one of whom has been the subject of concerted transfer speculation. I can't remember any Premier League club ever being in this situation.

I don't know what to say. If it was 2 weeks ago, I'd say sell him. He has massive potential, but the fee is incredible for him. It's the kind of fee paid for a world class CB. Stones is brilliant, and will be brilliant, but he has plenty of errors in him too. He is not the finished product. I'd sell him if we can get in a top replacement.

This is fucking depressing. And just after the sale of Yarmolenko too. Let's hope the Barnsley game improves the week.

This could destroy our season before it has begun. Sell Stones, and risk a new CB working out? Keep him, and risk an unhappy player disliked by the fans? We must keep him unless we can get a top replacement through the door first, and another back up.

Karl Masters
289 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:58:53
With 4 years on his contract, Everton are in a position to either say No or to get full market value.

Bearing in mind 15% has to go to Barnsley, £47m is what we should be demanding, clearing £40m for EFC.

But, and it's a very big but, if we can't sign a replacement of sufficient quality ( plus another one as cover that we already needed anyway ) then no deal and Stones has to stay. Even he must be able to see that is only fair on Everton if he leaves it so late to put in a request.

John White
290 Posted 25/08/2015 at 22:58:55
This is why football isn’t a sport anymore. If you're English, young and have had a good half season you can do whatever you want...

The mentality of young players now is similar to the NFL and NBA – all about the money. Loyalty and career aspirations are no more...
Paul Thompson
291 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:00:50
I genuinely believe the club didn't want to sell Stones, but once a transfer request is made, no club can keep a player for very long. I'm really disappointed in him, but his head has been turned and the best we can do now is screw the maximum amount of money from Chelski or Manu (and then reinvest as best we can).
John Aldridge
292 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:01:44
@ Kieran - 247:

I know.....unfortunate name. I was forever correcting people (and still am)....."erm...no....I'm a Blue"

John Aldridge
293 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:02:55
Sell him to ManUre.....they'd love to get one up on Maureen.
Eddie Dunn
294 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:03:20
Christine 207, spot on. Why didn't the club tell Chelsea that he was not going to be sold at any price, and put an end to this before it got going into the media frenzy we are now watching.

Makes me wonder what they really want.

For Stones to go all -in and request a transfer with all of the bad blood it creates, suggests he has been given the green light.
No-one wants to be responsible, but if Roberto lands a couple of good deals in the rest of the window, much of the flak may be deflected, but for me it is a kick in the nuts.

Once again, it seems that we ,the fans are the fall-guys here.

John Maddock
295 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:03:29
Wouldn't surprise me if Mourinho turns up tomorrow at Barnsley and turns the whole night into a media transfer circus...watch this space!!!
Eric Holland
296 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:05:18
Matt just been with a high ranking Everton employee And they where not expecting it to happen either, but he has definitely put in a request.
He described it as the Shit hitting the fan..
James Peter
297 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:06:10
Right at the start of this debacle there was a (conspiracy) theory on here that it would play out this way i.e. the sale unofficially agreed by the board with Chelsea early doors to show our board in the best possible light for selling our prized asset. Three knocked back bids, we're not going to sell statements. Shock horror transfer request at the death with not enough time to spend the proceeds. Like any conspiracy theory it's absolute bollocks but the nail looks like it was hit bang on.
Alex Jones
298 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:06:27
Just say no you're under contract and we don't need to sell.
Eric Holland
299 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:07:52
John if he does turn up he better be sitting a long way from me!!!!
Steve Burgess
300 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:10:00
Jay #242 -
"I can understand how Stones is feeling because a lot of us have felt that way for some time."

Me too - going from earning my annual income in about 3 days from derisory 7 days would be a no brainer... I think I would use my contract to scribble a quick thank you note to the fans, my workmates and the idiots in the boardroom...

Ken Buckley
301 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:13:24
Our board's response to this request will set the tone for the rest of the season and maybe many seasons to come.

They just have to ensure that they are not seen to capitulate even if they have to turn down good money because they owe it to the fans to show that they really do ’Fight - fight - fight for the boys in the Royal Blue jerseys’

Get this right and it will lift all associated with the club == get it wrong and I hate to think what the reaction might be and for how long.

Nick Page
302 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:14:38
Villa have sold Benteke and Delph for £40m and brought in 10 players for around £55m. Can you imagine Everton doing this? If not, why not? Because that's the issue for me. We seem to have no backup plans and our transfer dealings drag on forever. It's pitiful and someone has to be accountable for this.
Matt Butlin
303 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:15:32
It seems to me that we still hold all the cards. Stones has a long term contract. Chelsea haven't offered enough to tempt us to sell. Just because he has had his head turned doesn't mean that we're going to relent and accept what Chelsea have offered. I just hope that we're a bit more nasty off the pitch than we are on it.
Mike McLoughlin
304 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:16:22
Really thought we had another stand up guy to join Jags and Bainsey but hey he has been turned so let him go. We can keep hold of him but will we have a whole player. Tend to agree with the doubters about the board just squirreling the cash away and not investing in the playing staff. But not too sure he will go to Chelski, more likely to go Utd which leaves Chelsk up the swanny. Pity we appear so pathetic as a club, bullied by the richer clubs and the press
John Aldridge
305 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:16:56
How will Martinez take this - if Stones is effectively sold despite him saying we are not a selling club and he is not for sale?
Steve Brown
306 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:17:47
He will be worth even more in 1-2 years time, he has four years left on his contract and it would leave us with one experienced centre half. Plus we wont have enough time to sign a decent replacement.

For those reasons, I think our board will actually show some backbone for once in their lives.

Zac Farbrother
308 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:27:37
I can’t explain how incredibly upset I am by this news. John was my favourite player, he came from my home town, went to the same school as me and just so happened to play for my team (Everton, not Barnsley). I praised him so much! To now find out he wants to leave the club, who basically made him who he is now, upsets me to high heaven. Not only that, but these rumours have been going on for weeks and he said he was happy at Everton not so long ago and now he wants to leave a WEEK before deadline day.

I can’t deny he’s an incredible player but he’s not the person I thought he was, to leave us in the shit like this is showing us no respect at all. Everton have been nothing but good to him and now he suddenly decides he wants to leave us, I’m heartbroken. I can understanding him wanting to move to get even more money and medals etc, that’s just the kind of people football players are on the whole, greedy and un-loyal but for him to hand in his request only a month after saying he’s happy at Everton really annoys me.

I just hope the board don’t let him go because I’m past caring about John now (my love for him has turned into major anger) right now I just want Everton to start acting like a proper club and not a feeding crappy one. So screw what John wants and keep him until we find a decent CB to take his place. John Stones has suddenly gone from my favourite player to possibly one of my most disliked. I’m just gutted. - (Zac’s girlfriend, not Zac. I was just so upset with Johns actions I needed a rant before I could sleep)
Kristian Boyce
309 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:28:22
Like everyone else im going to be gutted if he goes, but in a way, if this transfer window is anything to go by I can't blame him. The last few weeks has been an absolute shambles transfer wise and with the news of the Yarmolenko deal looking like a no go, what ambition has the club shown? With the Funes Mori in the balance and the much needed additional striker looking like a 'one for the future' unknown it hardly screams that we want to compete.
Chris Jones
310 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:28:25
If Martinez is half as smart as we've been led to believe he is, he's identified a handful of replacements already as this scenario has had potential for months. We've been linked to half a dozen decent CBs over the past few weeks. Perhaps we were actually making enquiries just in case. If we haven't, I'll just shake my head, sigh and continue with the self-flagellation of being a Toffee.
Eric Holland
312 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:30:26
Kristian Funes Mori has signed it will be announced tomorrow.
Ian Riley
313 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:33:59
Mr brown (264) you know the words "if you know your history"

I do hope no one has stones on their shirt!

Night all!

Iain Thomson
314 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:34:49
bad taste in mouth re the timing but if he backs himself to get a game in that team fair play to him... I think however he will be behind Cahill and Zouma....if he makes the errors we forgive him for down there he will be on the bench immediately..... I guess the agent who's making a killing wont lose place in euros if Stones is sitting all season on the bench.
Brent Stephens
315 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:36:55
Operation Everton Relegation Battle commence.
John Jones
316 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:39:03
Sounds really sad this I have met so many people that are so in URE (not band aid) when we speak about Everton FC .

Do we have to put up and shut up just for the good of the game?
Stephen Scofield
317 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:42:39
Accidently posted this rant on the live forum...

I think this is a watershed moment in Everton history. If they let Stones go with such a long contract left, after tying down the contracts of all our other core players. Those other players will be thinking what have they signed up to. It's imperative for the management to turn down the request and force the player to honour his contract like a man. Otherwise what is the point of long term contracts and all the, what is little trust, will be gone. I for one will lose what little respect I have for the management team if they allow him to leave now. We need to take a page out of Van gaals book and send him to the reserves if he thinks we can be held to ransom.

Chris Williamson
318 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:47:11
So he's an idiot after all. I began to suspect his ability to make wise decisions, and he wasn't going to be a Bobby Moore, when he followed the sheep trend, among overpaid young men, in decorating his arms. Pointless.

There also, go his chances of representing England at the Euros as he warms the bench at Chelski. Having said that, the classless Terry is doing his best to avoid match time at the moment.

Off you go, Mr Stones. Leave your class under the bench in the changing rooms here, as you won't need it down at that London club. Enjoy the money, feed the avarice.

Once Everton has touched you, nothing else is the same. Remember that when a crowd only cheers you if you dive in the opposition box. I have hated chelski almost as much as the red lot for quite a while now .... but I think this bating of one of our young stars has just about made them overtake.

A light has gone out tonight.

Arwel Williams
319 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:50:22
Hi to all on ToffeeWe. I’ve been an Everton fan since about 1970 and seen a lot of highs and lows. This site has been a favourite for quite a few years and enjoyed reading the comments from the posters.

The way football has gone over the past twenty years has been very frustrating. The John Stones saga is indicative of modern football where agents have ruined the game. Very few clubs can keep players if another makes a concerted effort to force through a transfer even Utd with all their resources couldn’t keep a hold of Ronaldo when he decided he wanted to go.

The best you can hope for is for the player to leave on the clubs terms and I for one hope that it means another year at Everton, or an improved contract with a substantial buy out clause.

Most transfer windows for Evertonians are frustrating but this has to have been one of the worst. Difficult to know whose fault it is especially as 99% of gossip is garbage.
Dave Williams
320 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:51:50
I can understand all points of view on this.

Mine? - he is a very good young player who could become great but he isn't a natural fit with Jags, is at fault frequently with goals conceded(he lost Aguero for the first one on Sunday) and doesn't attack the ball in the air as well as losing possession in dangerous areas. With experience he will improve but if we can get £40m now it will be an enormous help to us either in signing new players or reducing debt.
It isn't just us who do this - RS had to sell Sterling and Suarez, MU had to sell Ronaldo and will have to sell their keeper, Spurs had to sell Bale, Arsenal had to sell Van Persia - all clubs far wealthier than us who had to sell because the player could make more money elsewhere.

Stones is 21? - if he goes his wages will at least double with much better bonuses, guaranteed CL football, better endorsements and therefore Image Rights payments etc. Out of all of the posters on this site who would turn down a package like that when they had no allegiance whatsoever to their current employer?

Of course he will go and the same will apply in the future until we get CL football so if we can use all of the fee after Barnsley take their 15% then we can significantly improve the team.

As for those criticising the release of Dustin and Alcatraz - everyone absolutely crucified them last season so thank god they have gone. There is a week left - lets judge after that - if Stones goes I think it will be pretty lively!

John Atkins
321 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:52:06
Personally I think we should say you are not going anywhere young man !

Either pull your socks up and play for the first team or you're in the reserves remind him he signed a 5 year deal (cheeky ungrateful bastard)

Do not let him go to the lot at any expense

He'll still be worth a lot in 6 months or a year

John Crawley
322 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:55:56
We still hold the cards in my opinion. Turn it down, it's too late in the window now and you absolutely know that the manager won't get all the money, this late on. Tell him he can go next season, after the Euros, highest bidder takes him.

The player may want to go but he can't start sulking because he'll be playing for a place in the England team for the Euros. Ball is in our court, hopefully Martinez sticks to his comments about refusing a transfer request and the board back him.

Kristian Boyce
323 Posted 25/08/2015 at 23:56:36
If we get £40m for him and we don't spend that plus at least £10-15m extra on strengthening the team by the deadline, I think that will be the final straw in Bill's tenure. I can see a number of the pro-Bill camp turning as it will be a very public show of a lack of ambition.
Simon Berrey
324 Posted 25/08/2015 at 00:02:10
From watching the last few games, Chelski look like they are also lacking quality CB's. Why help them by letting them take our most prized asset ?

Let them squirm. They are desperate for Stones. As many people have stated, we hold all the cards. Chelski have no players that we want or who would come to us. ( unlike Manure for example. ) And from Stones point of view, I believe that there is a European Championships coming up so he will be badly wanting first team football.

Let's not be forced into thinking that we HAVE to do anything that we don't want to. We hold the players registration, have him under a long term contract and also need a good CB.

I hope that this doesn't change anything. Come on Everton, be the club that I want to believe we still are !

Ciarán McGlone
325 Posted 25/08/2015 at 00:03:11
Textbook Kenwright transfer saga.. my only surprise is that people are surprised. Where have you been during the past 15 years?
Jackie Barry
326 Posted 25/08/2015 at 00:05:37
The kids a jerk directed entirely by money in my opinion. If he turns out to be as good as people think he is or as he seems to think he is he had plenty of time to move in the future. After all he shouldn't forget no matter how badly we are being ran as a club that we did give him his opportunity in the premier league. In the end the people who run this club are the ones who allowed us to rot. There is no way that nobody has wanted to buy us during kenwrights ownership. Get out kenwright, I hope you get better, but leave please.
Andy Crooks
327 Posted 25/08/2015 at 00:09:17
Our club look shifty and inept. Chelsea look , well like the appalling club they are, is there a more sad man toddler than the gurning Mourinho? Stones? He looks what he is.A not so bright young man who is a stranger to integrity. Poor, sad,demeaning stuff all round.

Still, it will tell us a lot. A white flags hangs at Goodison Park,or, we make a stand for decency. Turn down the request and drop him for a while.

Ian Riley
328 Posted 25/08/2015 at 00:10:11
Mr Adkins, great point! However, you are playing into the board's psychology! They have spent nothing, made us all think they are with the fans, stones going no where! Stone's puts in a transfer request and he is the evil villain. No, its just been played out all summer like a west end musical! No one knows what goes on behind closed doors!
Gerard Wood
330 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:14:31
My view is sell him. We have had half a good season from John Stones and he is replaceable with extra money for other areas to strengthen.
Dan Murphy
331 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:17:33
Bernard in the Premier League? A bit lightweight. Will make Pat Nevin look like Lukaku.
Phil Rodgers
332 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:18:13
Cant sleep I'm so pissed off!
Jackie Barry
334 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:18:54
I can and will be blaming Stones and king Kenny.
Petet Henry
335 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:21:11
For all those who clap Kenwright, to those who shout ’call yourself a blue’ to people protesting on Sunday...

This is the inevitable result...no money, no new stadium, no marketing plan...

If we had a board with a plan Stones – and he’ll be just the first – would stay and achieve great things. 16 years without a trophy is going to be 17,18,19, 20 etc...

Kenwright out

Chris Jones
336 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:22:55
"Right John, you've been a very cheeky boy and you're going to have to play with the not-very-good kids for a while. Your place in the good players team will go to one of the even younger kids because we really don't have anybody else. And then, when we keep losing, it'll be all your fault because you made us do this".

Make him stew in the reserves? Great, and just who do we replace him with to keep the first team competitive? Doesn't make sense to me, sorry.

Gavin McGarvey
338 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:28:32
They say that doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result is the definition of insanity, unfortunately, it's also the way of life for an Everton fan.

As pointed out by others, we've been here before. Bearing that in mind, I shouldn't be as disappointed as I am, still I'm gutted.

Reflecting on the past sales of our best players doesn't cheer me up, far from it. We still haven't replaced Arteta; when was he sold? For Fellaini we got McCarthy (not a bad player, but was he an improvement?). As for the Lescott transfer... the less said about that the better.

I can hope that we refuse this request and wait for a transfer at a time that suits us, but there's that insanity thing again...

Andy Crooks
339 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:32:52
Chris, we buy Jonny Evans, who right now, is vastly superior to Stones as a defender. Then we let the coach decide who to pick. An experienced premier league defender with a history of loyalty and commitment or a hugely promising, mistake prone young player who no longer wants to wear an Everton shirt.
Harold Matthews
340 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:34:19
Nick P. #208. Poor choice of words for a forum.

Tony #235. Just over 2 years ago Jonny Evans shoved out Vidic and was probably the best CB in the League. Now captain of N Ireland, he had problems which are now behind him. At just under 6'-3" he is not too small. He is also a left-sided CB who is as hard as nails, is comfortable on the ball, can use both feet, has PL experience and is a leader.

David H #119. Sorry to hear about your illness. Take it easy for a while.

Phil #211. Ditto.

Chris Jones
341 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:39:40
I was firmly in the ’reject any bids and make the bugger stay’ camp (Euros place at stake, etc.), but now that this has gone public, can you imagine the reaction from our fans every time he touches the ball? He would have to be a quite remarkable character for his form not to be affected, even if he accepted a refusal in the first place.

So, for me, get rid and bring in a quality CB (we must’ve been lining one up, surely?) plus a back-up (Evans?).

But that means we’ve capitulated to Chelsea.

Oh shite,

David Hallwood
342 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:53:31
Just a couple of points: I think its high time the FA looked at the transfer window-if there's to be one it should open on the last day of the season and close on the first day of the new season.

Onto stones, he should listen to Jamie Carragher and stay at Everton to learn his trade. he's still a mistake a game CB and he just may end up getting farmed out if he makes too many mistakes.

Gavin Johnson
343 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:53:42
Harold - I normally agree with your assessment of players but I think your stretching it a bit saying Jonny Evans was probably the best CB in the league 2 years ago. I know a few Man United fans, none of whom rate him, in fact they find it hilarious that we’d even want him.

IMO he’s a competent CB, as good on one-on-ones as well as the air, but he’s not the quickest or the best at defending space. I will always remember him being skinned by Rodwell for the 3rd goal at Goodison.

We’ll probably get to see how good he is playing at Goodison this season because I find it highly likely we’ll either buy him outright or United will offer him as the ready made replacement if they decide to bid on Stones. Maybe United are preparing a bid. It might explain the transfer request as it would be Stones’s dream move.

Sandra Williams
344 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:54:24
#293 You're not the only one Phil! My rising levels of anger over the summer have now exploded! Sleep? No chance. Hope John Stones can't either!
Kevin Fitzsimons
346 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:57:23
Stones was a good player but a few months on Chelsea's bench will knock that out of him. Take the money and buy some quality (a decent No.10 and a proven No 5) .... by Christmas we'll see this as an early present!!! COYB
Phil Rodgers
347 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:59:04
I am embarrassed that I thought he was different, At 32, I really should know better.
Ross Edwards
349 Posted 26/08/2015 at 01:18:10
It'll be swiftly rejected but I'm just bitterly disappointed about this. Stones is probably the last person I expected to resort to something like this. I didn't think it was in his character to resort to a transfer request.

The club's silence is deafening and tells it's own story and probably confirms that it is true. If it wasn't I'm sure it would have been quickly denied.

Sandra Williams
350 Posted 26/08/2015 at 01:22:22
Think we all should know better. This is my 41st season of attending Goodison.......and the feeling of being let down never gets easier.
Paul Kossoff
351 Posted 26/08/2015 at 01:23:32
I hope if he asked to go karma kicks him in the arse, whoever he goes to, ends up finishing 5th and some nice Europa league games for honest John.

Just hope we get £40m for him and Bill gives it all to Roberto to buy some class. Good luck to Stones, I don't think so.
Zahir Jaffer
352 Posted 26/08/2015 at 01:42:15
He isn’t going to go. I’m having none of this bullshit. I won’t allow it. I don’t care I still will not stand for it. Haha, John Stones leaving will leave the board and the manager as two-faced, duplicitous taints with as much credibility as any hooker in Soho.

There would be no reason to believe anything they say if they follow through with this deal, as time after time they’ve reiterated there stance in these discussions.

Johnny's request can be shoved back up his arse for all I care. Going without a win or a clean sheet in the next 10 games will hamper the team's morale more than Johnny's bitchyness.

I’m done venting. Oh and Colin, you said John’s going nowhere this transfer window and I'm still in no doubt. Keep up the good work.

Vijay Nair
353 Posted 26/08/2015 at 01:46:14
Andy (298), how do you figure Johnny Evans is "vastly superior" to JS? Please enlighten us.....
David Cooper
354 Posted 26/08/2015 at 01:46:23
What odds will anyone give me if John Stones is in the line up v Barnsley? Happy homecoming? Make him captain for the day?
Bill Gall
355 Posted 26/08/2015 at 02:02:47
My view is to play him tomorrow so he is cup tied, tell him it is too late to honour his request, and on the weekend put him on the bench, bring him on for the last 15 minutes and let him know we will be experimenting with a new central pairing and he can get a regular game with the U21s, with no guarantees of a first team place.

It is about time clubs started to stand up to these agents and players who want to leave at a critical team in a clubs preparations. I have left companies to start with other companies but have always given sufficient notice of my intentions, it is called being "honorable", this word no longer seems to be in the English language to agents and players.

Phil Sammon
356 Posted 26/08/2015 at 02:02:54
Stones clearly has great potential, but in the short term there are many better CB's knocking around - though obviously none so elegant.

Over the next 10 years he will probably go on to win everything...though I think he's mad to go to Chelsea and sit on the bench.

However, losing him COULD make us a better team defensively this season if he's replaced with a more experienced, more robust CB.

Very sad about all this, but at the end of the day he isn't a local lad. I hope Browning smells blood at takes his place. He certainly has more speed and a better physique to play CB right now.

Andrew Rocha
357 Posted 26/08/2015 at 02:05:45
Hello everyone, I’m new to this website but I’m a big Everton fan! I have a question, I’m from the U.S. and have never really understood why, just because a player submits a transfer request, he is basically considered gone. It doesn’t make much sense to me.

Correct me if I’m wrong but doesn’t he still have 3 or 4 more years left on his contract? What’s stopping Everton from just saying "tough luck" and denying his request? Stones signed his contract, no one forced him to do it.

Also, I’ve read a few articles saying Everton shouldn’t deny him a chance to play Champions League football. To me this is absolutely ridiculous – how is Everton supposed to ever compete for a top 4 spot if they keep accepting these transfer requests or bids? I apologize if I seem ignorant about how all of this actually works but I was just wondering if you all could fill me in. Thanks.
Kevin Fitzsimons
358 Posted 26/08/2015 at 02:20:25
Welcome aboard Andrew 314... I think the general feeling is that a player that wants to go would just be a disruption in the Changing room and on the field. Each time he makes a mistake the press will say it was deliberate and the fans will be merciless in their vitriol from the stands.

But I couldn’t agree more with Phil 313. Blessing in disguise if the manager plays his cards correctly in the week ahead. Certainly rekindled my interest in the sorry saga that is the transfer window.
Nicholas Ryan
359 Posted 26/08/2015 at 02:22:20
I will laugh my socks off, when Real Madrid offer Chelsea £60 million for him, in the next January window...because he will want to go to a team that will WIN the Champions League, as opposed to one which will simply be IN it !!
Jamie Sweet
361 Posted 26/08/2015 at 02:27:43
If I was Stones I would want to leave an unambitious club that couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery too.

But I wouldn't want to go to fucking Chelsea.

Dan Bellia
362 Posted 26/08/2015 at 02:44:18
As I’m in Australia I don’t get to attend games as much as I’d like, but I set my alarm at all ungodly hours and pay ridiculous amounts of money to buy crappy merchandise for twice the price that I could buy most gear for here in Oz. I love Everton and have for over 30 years but this board is really starting to suck the life out of me.

I’m both angry and sympathetic to Stones handing in a request. I’m angry that we will lose someone that I’ve been so proud to watch grow but I understand his decision. I can’t help but wonder if he would want to leave if we had spent 30-40 million on quality in the transfer window, instead he has probably thought that we are going nowhere. If we do sell him for say 40 million you can almost certainly say we won’t spend that amount so again our net spend will be negative.

If we bring in Evans, who I don’t believe is a bad player but his valuation is ridiculous we will be paying him double the wages we would be paying Stones. I’m doing my head in here trying to see the logic or plans we have in place and am feeling as low as I did in the Ginola and Gazza days.
Harold Matthews
363 Posted 26/08/2015 at 02:47:39
Gavin. Your United mates have short convenient memories. Not so long ago they probably loved him. I remember his recent rusty, out of position poor period. Too long without a game had left it's mark.. Are these the fans who said Diego Forlan was the worst player to wear a United shirt? Are these the fans who booed Giggs when he went through a bad patch? Are these the fans who thought Fergie had lost his marbles when he persevered with young De Gea? Guess I'm the lucky one Gavin. I've never known any United fans.
Paul Kossoff
364 Posted 26/08/2015 at 02:50:37
Actually Nicholas 315, you have a point. Everton should put in any transfer that if the buying club sell Stones for a profit we get 10%.
Gordon Crawford
365 Posted 26/08/2015 at 03:29:34
Andrew Rocha 314, You are totally right in what your saying. We don't have to see him and part of me thinks we should let him rot in the reserves. But at the same time, having a player who doesn't want to be at the club, can have a very negative effect on the players around him and the club itself. I would not sell him to Chelsea and I would put him up for sale for no less that £50 million pounds. But let's wait and see if he really put in the request.
Jay Harris
366 Posted 26/08/2015 at 03:37:22
Harold
I hate to disagree with you but I also feel that Evans is a poor man's CB.

He makes far too many mistakes, is not that commanding and doesn't have a great touch.

He has never been first choice at Utd for good reason even when they were struggling with O'Shea and Wes Brown.

Personally I would prefer to persist with Browning before Johnny Evans but I wouldnt say no to Dann or Ashley Williams if Stones goes.

Barry Jones
367 Posted 26/08/2015 at 03:50:17
Phil Walling, I love the Alan Ball comment. Bally was quite possibly the best player I ever saw in an Everton shirt (including Alex young). I don't know why so many people are dumbfounded about Stone's decision. Several of us pointed out a few weeks ago that there was an heir of inevitability about this.

Apparently, Stones had already told RM he wanted to leave and didn't want to play this card. Anyway, running out of time and patience, he played the card. If the lad sees a better future at Chelsea we shouldn't knock him for that. Playing careers are short. My big regret is that it happens so close to the deadline. Most of us on here have been saying we needed a GK, CB, #10 and another striker for quite some time. The mental constipation in addressing this has been the most galling thing.

Ernie Baywood
368 Posted 26/08/2015 at 03:56:13
I think Everton have played this just fine.

Really, what has changed since yesterday? If he's put in a formal request then it's not like he didn't want to leave before. It's just that now he'll forfeit whatever commercial benefits were tied to sale without a request.

The only change here is that us supporters now know more. Whereas before we probably only suspected he wanted to go.

For Everton, we still have the choice to sell him or keep him. For him, he'll need to perform to earn a place in the Euros and maybe a move in January or next summer.

The ball is just as firmly in our court as it ever was.

If we sell, I won't blame John or Chelsea. It remains Everton's decision to make.

James Marshall
369 Posted 26/08/2015 at 04:02:45
Ernie 324 is absolutely right. Everton still hold all the cards. It's been said repeatedly that they won't sell him. It's also been said that even a transfer request won't make any difference. So, nothing has changed, right?

Everton should just turn down his request, turn down Chelsea again assuming they'll bid again. Game over.

Stones stays, gets his head down and plays and we're not left in the shit. If they sell, we're in the shit and everyone at Everton looks like a mug. No sane individual would leave us with one senior centre half, surely?

Chris Wilson
370 Posted 26/08/2015 at 04:04:38
Hello, Andrew (314) A fellow Yank Toffee - Woo Hoo!

Everton could certainly do what you suggest, which is to tell John to suck it - he signed a 5 year deal, you're not going anywhere yet, etc, which is what I think a lot of folks on here would prefer, since it's so late in the transfer window, and we could be hard pressed to find an adequate replacement.

The problem is if you play him, you're not sure where is mind would be. John might get distracted, lose focus, or maybe decide to take it easy as he plays so as not to risk an injury. His performances have been very professional up until now, so I would hope that if he is called upon; that he would continue in the same vein. It will be very interesting now that the cat is out of the bag.

There are usually three types of outcomes with this. 1) Stones could treat this like De Gea, and refuse to play because his mind isn't on the game (in his case, it's back in Madrid). 2) It could result in something like our Jolean Lescott episode years ago. Play but be all over the place, unfocused, uncommitted, out of position, and make bad decisions that lead to your team getting slaughtered by Arsenal 5-1 on opening day. 3) It could work out like Luis Suarez's did where Liverpool rejected his transfer request, so he continued playing, then later rescind the TR, apologize to the fans, and became a hero again. The first two are the most common and usually the best result is to sell the player (player power is way to strong in the modern game). The third scenario is very rare...but it has happened.

This drama just turned the page and it will be very, very interesting to see what happens when we play, of all teams, Barnsley tomorrow night.

Chris Wilson
371 Posted 26/08/2015 at 04:08:52
I just read my post and I made it way too simple, because we can always tell John to be professional and play. In reality we don't have to accept his TR at all. Guess I'm still a little hurt. Sucks
Douglas McClenaghan
372 Posted 26/08/2015 at 04:11:00
No doubt many wiser people have advised him against this but he's gone ahead, it seems. He is not the fine young man I hoped he was. This could all end badly. A few poor CL performances and he becomes a bench-warmer, even a loanee, his England aspirations in tatters.
Brent Stephens
373 Posted 26/08/2015 at 04:27:38
Without a ready-made replacement it will be a disastrous (half) season for us, one from which we might not recover. Stones to Man U., for Evans plus cash, now, if Man U. and Evans are willing to buy in.

I'm bitterly disappointed but hold no grudges against the lad. He's not a blue (remember, they are born not made, so the saying goes) and he is merely a professional plying his trade. He owes us nothing as he's in a purely transactional relationship.

Let's move on (after a group hug). Bitterly disappointed.

Marcus Reynolds
374 Posted 26/08/2015 at 04:35:42
Loic Remy +40 million pounds either on loan for a season or as part of the deal.we need as a club to turn this situation to our advantage.we are turning out to be a feeder club for the top 4 big clubs in the premiership.we are the fans,we are what makes a club.somebody from the club should draw a line under this situation ASAP.

If we’re going to sell him do it fucking now so we can find a half decent replacement for the squad.
David Ellis
375 Posted 26/08/2015 at 04:42:13
I am not sure this really changes anything, other than perhaps the relationship between Stones and the fans. I don't have a problem him wanting to further his career. It's OK to want to leave for a more successful club. But it just does not suit Everton at the moment for him to leave. Its too late in the window. So he will need to stay at least until January.

I do think he has been badly advised to try and push this through now. He's got plenty of time to join a club that is regularly in the Champions League and in the meantime he is an automatic pick at Everton and that will ensure he is in the Euros squad this summer. Unfortunately its in the agent's interest to do the deal now and that is what is driving this. Such a shame.

Kevin Fitzsimons
376 Posted 26/08/2015 at 04:45:56
Reports of 35million plus players.... anybody heard who the "plus players" could be....
Peter Thistle
377 Posted 26/08/2015 at 04:46:10
Money has killed the game i’ve loved all my life. Only a few clubs have the money to buy all the talent and deplete the oppositions chances of ever catching up. If he does want to go then he’s just another money grabber glory hunter. I don’t mind if a player gets sold but to hand in a transfer request makes you a traitor, i.e Rooney, Barmby. Way to leave it till the last second and leave us in the lurch.

Also it shows nobody believes we will ever win anything so why waste your carreer at Everton. For that blame the board, we are finished as a competitive club. Fook football and the money grabbers.
Andrew Rocha
378 Posted 26/08/2015 at 04:49:54
Kevin (315), Gordon (321), Chris (326), thanks for the replies! I understand a little bit better now, I can see how this could turn into a distraction in the locker room. It sucks how much power the players have though, one person can drastically change the outcome of the clubs season.

Anyway, I also hope we don’t send him to Chelsea, just to piss Mourinho off, doubt it will happen that way though. Also, Chris, good to know there are some other U.S. Everton fans around here, I only ever see people wearing Chelsea and Man Utd. kits around here, gets kind of old.

Random Thoughts: This may sound kind of dumb, as they are not even remotely similar, but I’m a huge NBA (OKC Thunder) fan and in my opinion, it's kind of nice that we have a draft (although I’m not even sure how something like that would even work in European football as it is much much bigger in scale) to have a chance to land talented players.

Oklahoma City is one of the smallest markets in the nba and if the system worked like football them we would never have any chance of being remotely relevant in the league. Instead, we got to the finals in 2012 and have a decent chance of winning every year because we drafted and developed talented young players.

Again I know a lot of you may think it is ridiculous to compare the two sports/systems, but I just think it would be really nice for Everton to get that same chance to compete for premiere league and champions league titles year after year despite being a smaller club. I wish there was a more fair way in football for all teams to acquire/develop top talent players and to be able to compete for a title at some point. I guess I still have a lot to learn about how things work.

Despite saying all this, I know that the current system will most likely never change, however, at least the premiere league is competitive compared to other leagues (Bundesliga, La Liga).
Kristian Boyce
379 Posted 26/08/2015 at 05:15:17
I was expecting this move for most of the transfer window, but actually thought after Lukaku’s comments that Stones might actually stay. Unfortunately he’s not going to take heed and wants the move.

I don’t really think he realizes how good he has it here. He’s a guaranteed starter, and is thought so highly of (well was) from 99% of the fans. As someone whose learning his trade, we’ve allowed the slight lack of judgement that he’s been prone to do, and understand those mistakes in the game.

Just wait until he makes his first mistake for Chelsea. Those plastic fans are going to eat him alive. With Terry being ushered out quicker than expected, he’s going to have to put up with the constant response of "Terry wouldn’t of done that" if a mistake is made.

Enjoy your loan next year to Vitesse when Chelsea spend an obscene amount of cash on an experienced international ’name’ to appease the fans and Abramovich.
Harold Matthews
380 Posted 26/08/2015 at 05:34:46
I sometimes worry about the future of our club but I'll not lose sleep over this unfortunate Stones business. If he was certain to be with us for the next 5 years I wouldn't mind his errors as he gradually grew into a good experienced CB, but I now prefer he continued his schooling elsewhere. We'll manage quite well without him.

Who we'll bring in is anyone's guess but he'll probably have Premier League experience. I would have liked Dragovic or the KK guy from Napoli but that's life. We'll still have Jags and, hopefully, we will have studied the organisation of the City defence. A master class indeed.

Hugh Jenkins
381 Posted 26/08/2015 at 05:36:33
Unless I'm missing something, I still see no mention of this on the club official site. Has it actually happened?
Albert Perkins
382 Posted 26/08/2015 at 05:38:56
Sad but true. Stones wants to go and we don't want him to. Few weeks back we bought Holgate and Barnsley supporters didn't want him to go. We do it to poorer clubs and we get done by richer clubs.

Man up, accept the situation, we get the best price we can for him and buy as many good players as we can. No point in keeping the boy if he wants to go. He wont give his all and we should get players who will.

We are not the club we would like to be and I will not whinge if we get a pocketful of money and spend it well. I'm looking forward to seeing what we do in the next week. We are in a difficult position regarding getting in players, but if we are creative, we might get some good loanees from Chelsea and buy a good striker.

Why be miserable. Accept every situation as if you chose it yourself, be happy and cheer the boys on. I feel so lucky to support EFC. COYB.

Ernie Baywood
383 Posted 26/08/2015 at 05:54:18
I fundamentally disagree that there's no point keeping him if he wants to go. Every player wants to win titles don't they? Should we only keep the ones who aren't good enough?

Bullshit. If we want him, tell him he's contracted for four years and it's in his interests to continue to perform and develop. From what I can see of his character I would imagine he would simply knuckle down until the next window.

If we choose to sell then fine, but no excuses. I've no ill will against Stones. He's looking after his career and Everton need to look after Everton. Accepting that once you get a transfer request you have to sell just lets off the hook those responsible for making decisions for our club. Their decision, their responsibility. It's absolutely not John Stones' job to make decisions for Everton.

Phil Sammon
385 Posted 26/08/2015 at 06:14:56
I keep consoling myself that 'at least we'll have a chunk of cash to bring in some new players'. Then it repeatedly dawns on me that we should actually already have a very handsome transfer kitty ready to be unleashed.

God, I don't know what to think.

Steve Foster
387 Posted 26/08/2015 at 06:44:41
What I cant get my head around is what has gave him the impression Chelsea actually want to sign him?
Harold Matthews
388 Posted 26/08/2015 at 06:50:36
Okay Jay / Gavin. I did go a bit over the top but you don't play over 150 games for Fergie if you haven't got a clue. Anyway, It looks like he's off to West Brom and don't tell me Pulis knows nothing about defending.
Ryan Rosenberg
389 Posted 26/08/2015 at 06:52:02
I have no issue with the price, 35-40mil is good business. My main issues are:

A) We have a week left to find suitable replacements
And
B) I do not trust Martinez AT ALL with transfers

David Chait
391 Posted 26/08/2015 at 06:55:38
Shocked to see the transfer request come in.. but between the lines it has been coming in hindsight. With TW crashing last night on me probably a good thing as I got to sleep on it. Now that its official he wants to go its straight into decision time and let the emotions go.
I had an odd thought.. would we take Gary Cahill plus cash, say £25m? Cahill and Jags partnership… maybe I keep that one to myself.
I normally don’t do the quote thing but reading some comments had me crying in my coffee this morning!
Nick #190: “To people who say we'll move on, that's not the issue. The money from Rooney, Lescott, Arteta, Rodwell and Fellaini was never made available to the manager to spend. Why?” – Really… Rooney True. Arteta True, Rodwell cant remember, Fellaini and Lescott False. Nick you have noticed we have bought Romelu Lukaku, where do you think that money came from.
Christine #204 “The board should have told Chelsea and Stone immediately that the player was not for sale.” .. Everyone and their flipping dog from Everton said publicly he was not for sale!
Nick #262 “Villa have sold Benteke and Delph for £40m and brought in 10 players for around £55m. “ – Because we don’t need to! Great so on average £5.5m a player. Championship here we come.
Many #loads “Stick him in reserves and make him suffer” – brilliant decision. Allow him to get really demotivated and bitter, never play and end up selling him for half the value. Genius!
But fully agree with:
Adam #194 –I might not be as sold as you on Evans but my guess is you are probably right. Why do people want VVD.. because he is Dutch and has a nice football type name.
John #100 – ya agree the club must have been aware and even the fans have noted a change in RM the last week or so… everyone was saying he seemed a little more edgy about the transfer…
Ken #261 – “Get this right and it will lift all associated with the club == get it wrong and I hate to think what the reaction might be and for how long.” – Surely getting it right could include selling and investing brilliantly.
Other points want to say… This is nothing like the feeling over Rooney. Now that it has virtually happened can say this is more about the desire for the club than the love of a player.. we loved Rooney because he was one of us, Stones we loved because we felt he was the future of our club.
Lastly if Stones had put in a request at the first offer he would be gone for £25m.. leaving it later has improved the bids… but we don’t have much time.
Personally if, and only if, we can secure an excellent replacement, I would sell and move on. Anything above £30m is excellent money for a defender. I don’t know if I could bear watching Stones just improve his CV for a year. Like dead man walking for the club.
Chris Williamson
392 Posted 26/08/2015 at 06:56:02
If it were down to me, and Stones went as far as having tantrums (not that I think he would) and we had to sell, then I'd be prepared to sell him to Man U cheaper than to that bunch who play in our colours in London, who started this tempest - JUST to make a point.

The question is - how much less would I accept?

That London lot are making me paranoid.. Am even wondering if the John Terry being subbed, and the John Terry getting himself sent off events were deliberate showmanship - to get the message to Stones -"look - you can walk straight into our back line - we're desperate"

Mourinho seems mad enough to think this up, and JT would go along with it as he'd do anything for his master.

Karl Jones
393 Posted 26/08/2015 at 07:06:56
So now, after knowing we have only two CBs all summer, will Gareth Barry be playing at CB v Spurs? Unbelievable incompetence. Everton's new motto should be, Buy cheap, sell big, survive.
Peter Barry
394 Posted 26/08/2015 at 07:08:47
Footballers are MERCENARIES and their Agents are money grubbing SCUMBAGS they only think of their bank accounts and no one can convince me otherwise. Gone are the days of the loyal one club man and the sooner the better the 'pie in the sky dreamers' amongst football supporters of all clubs realize this.
Tommy Coleman
395 Posted 26/08/2015 at 07:11:21
If you want any important up to date news on anything Everton then visit the official website last.
Still nothing. That's why hardly ever visit it.
Peter Barry
396 Posted 26/08/2015 at 07:11:41
Well I never saw that coming...................NOT! But if you dare say it on TW you get shouted down as a negative thinker by the Party Faithful.
Peter McHugh
397 Posted 26/08/2015 at 07:17:42
Gutted but I have no problem with Stones handing in a transfer request. That is up to him although I do think if I was Martinez I would be gutted as he has shown patience and loyalty to the kid and bad way he has treated him.

What I have a massive problem is the fact it is public. It was obvious he wanted to go, players pleading with him to stay whilst he said nowt.

The fact it's public means either he or the club or both have leaked this. That's what annoys me.

In terms of whether we should sell I don't think we should unless as Lyndon said at the outset on the summer when this kicked off - we sell for £50m. Gutted to sell him but that must be the price or no deal.

Lee Gorre
398 Posted 26/08/2015 at 07:19:04
Personally I can't see any sense in selling. He is on a long contract, his value will only keep going up for the next couple of years, it is only when the contract starts to have an end in sight that the value will go down. He signed the deal, he committed himself to the club accordingly, make him honour it.
Matt Traynor
399 Posted 26/08/2015 at 07:24:51
Peter #344 the point was Lyndon said it at the outset - i.e. when there was time to reinvest.

Stones hasn't just decided he wants to go now, after losing on Sunday. If he's wanted to go, he's wanted to go all summer, and that being the case it'd be in his interests to have gone early, done a pre-season with his new team.

This smacks of more stage management by our "Theatre Impressario" to make sure any deal is done late in the day, when there's no chance of any major signings, and the money can then go to service the borrowings off his "Friends of Everton".

Christopher Timmins
400 Posted 26/08/2015 at 07:24:53
Players like Stones put in transfer requests because they like the rest of us see what is going on at the club. Since BK took control we have become a selling club as he and his pals have not got the finances to attract top players into the club.

If the three or four players needed at the end of last season had been acquired early on in the window then I for one believe that Stones would have had more reason to stay put. He was one of the last signings made by David Moyes, another manager who was badly let down by BK and friends in his final transfer window.

Its a credit to the likes of Baines, Coleman, Barkley to name just a few that they have stayed put.

Get the banner out for the weekend "BK and Co its time to go".

Who do we play in our first game after the window?

Andy Codling
401 Posted 26/08/2015 at 07:27:36
Play him tonight so he is cup tied and then he can make his debut against us.
Mark Tanton
402 Posted 26/08/2015 at 07:28:37
I don't understand why people are getting at Stones personally. Surely most posters on here would take a promoted post for more money and at a successful organisation?

Look at what seems to be the scenario - Everton have done absolutely nothing this transfer window. Everton will not win the league. Stones wants to spend what is a very short career winning things. It's why left Barnsley.

Good luck to him. My main concern is that this shambles of a club will not plan accordingly and the window will be shut before we've finalised our pathetic, coma inducing, embarrassingly slow and amateurish transfer trawl. Blame the club not the man. Who'd stick around at this basket case?

Paul Tran
403 Posted 26/08/2015 at 07:37:39
I've been saying for weeks that he'll end up going and the best thing we can do is to negotiate the best price, bring in the players we need right now and move on.

Stamping our feet and making him stay will be cutting off our nose to spite our face and will not actually help us. The real big clubs know that all players have a price. They prepare for these scenarios and line up potential replacements. Then they move on. That's life.

Disappointing and inevitable. This will not be the end of this great club. It should be the opportunity to bring in the keeper, stopper centre half and playmaker that we need. The players that will make a difference towards us moving up the table.

Alex Doyle
405 Posted 26/08/2015 at 07:43:27
The manager and director have said this changes nothing. Am convinced he is not going in this transfer window. Fill your boots at 7/2.
Bjoern Haall
406 Posted 26/08/2015 at 07:51:49
I feel sorry for the young lad for having such bad advisers. I cant see no winners in this deal but his agent. He will get less game time, chelsea don't need him and we loose one of our core players with not much time to limit the damage.
I really think we should play hardball as he is tied to us for three more years by contract. Put him aside and ask him to find a new agent. Tell him to play his heart out for the club until a proper bid comes in and we should not sell him to any other PL team. If he goes he should go to a team in another league. I think Bundesliga and Serie A would fit him good.
Thomas Surgenor
407 Posted 26/08/2015 at 07:57:26
The only benifit to the club is that we now only have to pay Barnsley.
Without a transfer request, we would have to have given stones some dosh as well.
Ray Roche
408 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:00:44
Mark#349

If Stones hadn't fairly recently signed a five year contract then maybe fans wouldn't be having a go at him. The whole business stinks, and Chelsea are now just above the RS in my hate table.

Personally, I'd tell Stones he's going nowhere yet, and we'll look at the situation this time next year, and, with the Euros and a further years experience, bigger and better clubs than Chelsea would be in for him. Even if Chelsea paid us £50m and kept him for ten years, it's only £5m a year. And if the clown Luis went for £50m.....

Mark Tanton
409 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:01:03
Bjoern that is very unrealistic.
Andrew Clare
410 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:12:37
So there we have it. Our whole transfer window strategy as per usual is based on selling our prized asset.
All the soundbites from the club have been designed to push the price up.
They have probably known for some time that Stones wanted to leave but kept it quiet knowing he would eventually submit a transfer request.
Oh what happened to my great football club. I think it disappeared many years ago.
Lewis Barclay
411 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:13:09
We should be able to sum this up in four words:

Transfer request. Request denied.

Trevor Peers
412 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:13:23
Worst case senario, we sell Stones on deadline day and BK pockets the fee never to be seen again, swallowed up in this year's dodgy accounts.

Martin Mason
414 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:15:30
Lack of freedom of movement of players is a bit of an anachronism but I don't believe that it's possible to stop a player moving once he wants to go and we need to just get the best possible deal and move on. Around £40 MM is great business for the club and we have 2 temporary replacements in Browning and Galloway who we can throw in and this will be to their benefit.

The option of keeping him and making him play under protest is totally unworkable and smacks of spite and I don't believe we are that type of club. This is really hard to take but it's our business model, it is also win win for the club.

Anthony Flack
415 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:17:34
Sorry I have skimmed the posts as away in France. Nothing on the official site either to confirm or deny.

Is this fact or rumour?

Is there anyway to tell?

It's in the Echo does not fill me with confidence, has Stones or his agent said anything.

Last concrete statement I recall is Martinez saying he will not be sold even if he puts in a request.....

Sorry if this is irritating but imagine it is untrue, I just hope JS doesn't read some of the comments and focuses on the ones which correctly advise him to steer clear of scummy Chelsea...

Alex Doyle
416 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:18:37
In the last news conference, Martinez said the answer was the same - not for sale. Has previously said that a transfer request would make no difference. Directors have been recorded at the ground saying he's not for sale.

Even at 40 million, Everton do not have enough time to replace him and can afford to keep him.

Ignore the media circus and fill your boots.

Cindy Cole
417 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:18:50
Has there ever been a more despicable pimped up little club than Chelsea?

My God, Stonesy - of all the places you could have gone.

Luke Welch
419 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:21:34
If it has taken Martinez this long to find players that are perfectly matched, just to be squad players, what chance is there that he will fill the void Stones will leave? And if the whole businesses module is to groom a pool of talent, that we cant keep hold of! what exactly is the point?

A lot of reports suggest that he was always bound to leave, that Everton as a club could never match a player like Stones potential. It all most feels like, how dare they try to hold on to one of Europe's brightest talents? Get back in your box! and realize your place! The sale of Stones will say we are picking ground, with faulted module - competing but only to make up the numbers. Very sad indeed.

Drew O'Neall
420 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:22:47
Looking at this another way, is it possible that Stones said from the start he wanted away, the club said be professional and sit quiet while we line up our deals for incoming players and we'll negotiate up the price with Chelsea by saying 'no'.

If Chelsea meet our asking price and it enables us to bring in the three top tier recruits we need and will agree deals for in principle, then we will let you go, in the mean time we will work on deals for the second tier recruits we can afford without the sale price, hence the links to a few up and comers.

I think Yarmolenko was on the cusp of what we could afford and Kiev are holding out to see if we take the Chelsea pound, this is why everything is going to the wire.

I expect Stones will be sold and we will bring in Yarmolenko and others over this and the coming transfer window - lot of moving parts and I don't envy the negotiators.

Stephen Bird
421 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:30:27
What really gets to me is the silence from the club.

They are quick enough to take our money for season tickets after pumping us full of rhetoric and churchillian speeches about the fabric of being a blue.

Then silence on all matters concerning transfers and nil response to press speculation.

Even RM has no been gagged resorting to " no comment " replies.

The club does not discharge its duty to be transparent to us its stakeholders yet it puts its hand into our wallets as it pleases.

We are being run on the lines of an old Victorian autocracy.

Nil satis nisi optimum ???

What's Latin for " put up and shut up " ??

Dave Ganley
422 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:34:09
I agree Martin once he says he wants to go then it becomes inevitable and there is no point keeping a player that doesn't want to be here. However, lets not get carried away and pretend its great business for the club. Its not. IF the club had showed any ambition, IF the club had actually signed any players worth their salt and IF the club showed any kind of consistent promise on the pitch then this situation wouldn't have happened in the first place. 40M may be a good price but it wont be invested back in the team, it will disappear somewhere in an off shore account never to be seen again.

This is exactly the reason why protests are starting in earnest now. No ambition from the club, poorly run for years and when once upon a time the good players were queueing up to come to GP, now they are queueing to get out. It is highly unlikely we are going to see a trophy grace our club for another 20 years.

I don't blame the chavs for this, they're just crass spoilt bastards who won the lottery and want a lot of bling. No, I blame successive boards who, since 1990, have run our club into the ground and brought about the situation we find ourselves in now. A decrepit old stadium, an inconsistent team, no trophies for 20 years and being labelled by the media as a team that should be proud of the situation we find ourselves in as we punch above our weight. How fucking sad is that for Everton Football Club??

Nigel Munford
423 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:39:04
Stephen @ #365 - Google says "posuit et clausis apertionem" not quite as catchy as "Nil Satis Nisi Optimum" though!!
Stephen Bird
424 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:44:20
Nigel @#367

I'm on the way to the tattooist as we speak !!

Tony Abrahams
425 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:45:48
Martin, do you not take your medication until after breakfast? Galloway is injured, and young Browning was out of his depth on Sunday.

If we are not that type of club (because we really want to sell?), then we should try to become a lot more like one. I hate using Liverpool, as an example, but by keeping Suarez for an extra year, they nearly won the league and got an extra £35 Million when they did eventually sell him.

Win, win, for the club? Martin, even the duke never came out with anything so stupid mate!

Paul Rimmer
427 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:46:56
All very similar to what happened with Lescott and Rooney. I didn't blame them and I don't blame JS. Every club apart from Real and Barcelona, City and Chelsea is a selling club. We'll get good money and move on. After Lescott we got Distin and did ok, it's easy enough to get a good defender. The only galling thing is that, like Rooney, JS will be at the top for a very long time and we'll be wondering what might have been.
Iain Latchford
428 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:55:50
If we are to believe that we were after Yarmolenko and a couple of other players, Everton's transfer budget should have been around £25-30m this summer (£5m spent already, £15m Yarmolenko, and £5-10m on additional players). This was based on us insisting Stones wasn't for sale. Considering all of that, if we sell Stones for say £35m (and give Barnsley £4-5m) we should still be left with around £55m.

How much of this do you think will actually be spent on the team ? If it's half I'd very surprised, and that's my main worry in all of this.

Christopher Dover
429 Posted 26/08/2015 at 08:57:16
Money does talk, do I like it? NO but it is fact.
Do I like Mourinho No. but he has as much money to spend as anyone in the PL.

While knocking the Everton for there dealings is fair comment do I think they are at fault in this case NO.

Stones signed a contract for 5 years and we thought he would honour it, but in todays money driven sport who is likely to turn down tripling your pay, playing in top 3 club and Europe?

If a player wants away sell him for the reputed £35 million plus add-ons
and find someone else.

Stones is very good but like all of Everton's back line makes mistakes, he carries the ball well (most of the time) something other plays get criticism for.

I feel when a player wants to leave get rid for best value, if Stones stays and the next game holds to long on the ball and gives away a goal there will be all sorts of accusations that its because he did not get his way.

Everton saying he is not going anywhere was fair comment while no transfer request was put in, now it has the game has again changed.

James Hughes
430 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:00:18
Put in a solid bid for Van Dijk now they are out of the CL. Do it now — not next Monday.


Posuit et clausis apertinom

Christopher Marston
431 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:02:20
I agree Iain. There should be at least 50 million to spend this window. Surely enough money and enough time to make at least 3 signings that would improve the TEAM. Not the squad. If this doesn't happen then I think rugby is the sport is to follow.
Neil Thomas
432 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:04:38
Play him tonight as our striker, with that kind of sell on fee going to Barnsley they will be to scared to touch him.
Iain Latchford
435 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:14:56
Is £55m reinvested into the team worth more to us that one John Stones? That's a matter of opinion. When the RS have sold Suarez and Sterling it's obvious the money has gone straight to Brenda, as he starts spending like a kid in sweet shop. He's spent it badly, but at least he's still had it to spend.

If the full amount of the money doesn't got to RM, then that's an issue with Everton fans and the board, not John Stones and Chelsea.

John Aldridge
436 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:15:24
I don't understand how so many are being so understanding of Stones and apologetic for him. He could have done this weeks ago and given us plenty of time to find a replacement. I even cheered the little shite at Goodison on Sunday when he was clearly pretending to be a part of the team. As far as I'm concerned, after sleeping on it, he can piss off to Chelsea and ruin his career - but on our terms. If we can't find a suitable replacement by next week then he stays until January. Any hissy fits and he's in the U21's. Take no shit,no player is bigger than the team or the club.
Tony Dove
437 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:17:07
Harold 293. Did not realise he was that tall but still maintain he is not good enough.
Colin Glassar
438 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:19:19
I woke up this morning hoping this had all been a nightmare but it seems to be true. Reading today's headlines I ask, has there been any definite proof shown that he's asked for a transfer? Any comment by club, player, agent, friends, family, anyone?

This has probably been the most media driven tapping up of a player of all time yet all I can see is, "apparently, according to, we are led to believe, we think, etc......." quotes. I asked mcnulty last night where was the proof and answer was - I just know!!

Anyways, tell JS to go fuck himself cos he's just signed a fucking contract and life is not a game. So JS, man up, get on with it and if you behave we will auction you off next season. You want to treat us like shit? Well, we can do the same lad.

Christopher Marston
439 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:22:08
If we don't spend on quality players this window after all the spin we've been fed then the shit is really going to hit the fan hard. Supporters will be in uproar. Players will be disillusioned. The media will still hate us. This club is nose diving big time.
Matthew Williams
440 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:22:10
John Merro will have the answer
Iain Latchford
441 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:22:36
John, of course he could have done it weeks ago but was probably told not to. The board want this to go through late, so they're only left with enough time to spend a proportion of the cash, rather than all of it. Come January, the balance will have disappeared into the big black hole that is our finances.

Maybe I'm a bit paranoid and cynical, but that's what I honestly believe.

Paul Andrews
442 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:24:11
The club have taken the Stones shirt off the availability on the website.

Gone.

Christopher Marston
443 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:25:14
Also, Fazio?!!! Why would we want to buy a player a rival on our level doesn't think good enough? Oh dear.
Andy McNabb
444 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:28:59
Guys, guys - the panic is over. He is an Everton player and the situation is simple - tell him "no". Much as I hate to give them credit, the Kopites stood firm over Sewerez and got rid of him when it suited. This time next year, he will be worth 70 mill and we can sell him to the very highest bidder.
So what if he is put out? Let him cool his heels and then if he has even half a brain, he will start to play again to ready himself for the World Cup and keep himself in the shop window. If necessary, make him train with the reserves. We can't use the money effectively now, so he stays.

End of ...

Karl Parsons
445 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:31:00
Iain who can blame you being paranoid?

Add John Stones to this list:

Rooney, Lescott, Arteta and Fellini. All out at the last minute with little or none of it re invested.

I'm hoping this is one sale too far for Evertonians who can't what's happening. Let's stand up against this pathetic, weak board who, time after time, fail to deliver on their promises. At the next protest I will fly the fucking plane myself!

Andy Codling
447 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:33:01
Dominic King of MailOnline tweeted a similar line this evening, suggesting that "he didn't want situation to get to this point but felt he had no choice but to go this way."

This is my favourite - so he wanted to be sold AND get his pay off from Everton!!
A five year contract was good for him not so long ago, and the the clubs current position on cover for Centre halves is seriously inadequate so tell him sorry but we do whats in the best interest of EVERTON.
If we had been out and invested in players then I would have no problems with him going.
Our last manager said he done what was best for the players but he isn't here anymore so fuck Chelsea and fuck Stones.

Phil Walling
448 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:34:46
Hey, Colin, I woke up with the realisation that AT THIS STAGE of his development, the kid is nowhere near the best centre halves we have seen here in my time.

Granted he's an unruffled talented footballing defender who plays well to Bobby's script, he is very prone to error and although Jags and Distin got the blame for our uncertainty last season, he was culpable on a good number of occasions.

I'd pick Labby, Kenyon, Hurst, McNaught, Ratcliffe, Watson, Weir and Stubbs before him and I'm sure there are others. Grab anything over £35M and move on !

Ben Dyke
449 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:40:36
Times like this the Premier League version of football makes me a little bit sick. The rich clubs can do all they like to tap up players, promise them the earth and contracts mean nothing. The players have all the power. We get a sulking player who pretends he's being hard done to even though he signed a contract. The fans who make the game and ultimately pay the players, mean nothing!
Matthew Williams
450 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:42:15
It makes me laugh that people think his value is going to be 70 million next season, surely performances and contractual factors will play a part.

Also we will likely have an unhappy player on our books and this is not going to help his value and the fact bidders now know he doesn't want to be here puts us in a much weaker position.

We will never get more than 40 -50 million INMHO and it might be wise to sell now if we get an 40 million offer.

Ben Dyke
451 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:44:50
I agree Phil. If we get anywhere near 35m for him then get rid. He's not the finished article but he will be over the next few years. We wont see his best years but we can build a better squad by cashing in. It all leaves a bad taste but hey that's football. I felt a LOT worse when Rooney left to win trophies at Man U.

Buts its galling to pretty much know that come 12th of September when he is probably with them, we will prob get beat because its all such an uneven competition. It wouldnt rankle so much with me if poaching was two way! But its not anymore. We are a feeder club to the rich boys and it hurts like hell.

Nick Armitage
452 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:45:06
David Chait 338 - Lukaku would have been bought with a Vibrac bridging loan probably from the British Virgin Islands. What on earth makes you think Everton would ever have the cash for that? They've signed him on the drip with short term high interest loans and as soon as they can turn a profit he'll be gone. That's the business model at Everton.
Terry Nolan
453 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:49:01
Sadly, if Stones wants to go, let him go; however, to the highest bidder, as I’m sure Man Utd will be interested in signing him... Start at £40 mill winner takes all!! If they don’t accept the terms we offer, they can comeback next summer.

I can understand why he wants to go: either of them can offer constant European games plus double your salary; however, the grass is not always greener on the other side. He has Jags alongside him who he could learn plenty from. I thought he might have pushed for a move next year. Good luck to the lad.

Iain Latchford
454 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:52:09
Is this scenario any different ? Everton get the Stones money and bid £10m, for Charlie Austin (for example). QPR say the player isn't for sale. EFC bid £12m, but QPR insist they won't sell. EFC bid £15m and Austin put in a transfer request. QPR "reluctantly" sell Austin to EFC. Austin bags a few goals and everyone loves him.

Isn't this just football ??

Colin Glassar
455 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:54:06
The silence, as usual, coming out of Goodison is deafening. Is this because they are negotiating a deal or this is just more speculation and they're tired of answering the same old questions? Even the media went relatively quiet last night and today there are just loads of rehashed stories on shitty websites today.

I find it depressing when we are talking about one of the finest young talents in years in the same breath as the likes of Evans, Williams and Shawcross. I say, stand firm tell him he's going nowhere and make him play against his old team tonight so he can see just how far he's come in such a short time.

David Chait
456 Posted 26/08/2015 at 09:54:06
Nick... because of timing.. of course selling a player isn't "ring fenced" for the next player.. but in terms of timing there is a clear in and out.. how the mechanics worked from a financing point is a different point.
I don't believe we would have found 28m to spend without 27m coming in first for Fellaini. And yes I know that its all instalments etc, but fundamentally its an in/out.
Bill Griffiths
457 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:01:50
Given all Roberto's previous utterances/statements on this along with our pathetic record to date in this window and the fact it closes in a few days team means Everton have to hold firm in this matter and tell John Stones that "you are going nowhere".

If they do agree to sell then they are really going to look like a bunch of clowns to the world of football and also even alienate themselves more (if that's possible) from their own fans.

While I could never stop loving Everton Football Club despite some of the heartache they have caused me over the years. If they do agree to sell this would be the biggest kick in the teeth to myself personally by EFC in the 60odd years I have supported them.

TELL HIM HE'S NOT GOING/

Peter Morris
458 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:01:53
With Stones asking for the transfer, that has probably saved the club,what,£8m? I can see Elstone in his office with his abacus now doing the numbers.
Well, ponder on this one Robert. If you and the board cave in on this one, don't forget to factor in the collapse in season ticket sales next season, because mine and thousands of other won't get renewed. Don't you dare treat this clubs supporters with contempt.
Some of us forgave the club for selling Rooney, as the finances were hamstrung then. Not a viable excuse now.
When a Board member and major shareholder states publicly on behalf of the Chairman and himself that the club won't sell, and then sends the manager out to face the press with the same message, it is simply not credible to expect supporters who finance the club, in part at least, to wear anything other than a resolute refusal to engage with Chelsea or , unfortunately now, the player and his hangers on.
Stones MUST be told he stays, and Chelsea MUST be told to go and fuck themselves. The good name of EFC depends on the outcome of this sorry saga.
Shaun Traynor
459 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:03:02
I'm not sure what's worse. Selling JS in this late day in the transfer window. Or giving Bobby 'brown shoes' 40 million to dash off to pound land with. He always bangs on about being in a stronger position at the end of the transfer window........the starting 11 now (exc cleverly) is the same 11 we started with on 2nd Sept 2013 - so how have we moved on Bobby. I don't trust this man with 40 million.
John Keating
460 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:04:14
Keep him
Play him even for the last 10 minutes tonight to cup tie him.
If he is adamant on going and won't wait until the end of the season then it's 40 million plus Cahill plus 50% sell on
Iain Latchford
461 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:09:54
I don't trust a man who doesn't bring Oviedo on after 30 mins against the best side in the country when we don't have a left back, then says he'll start him away at Barnsley 3 days later. Surely his fitness level can't have improved that much in such a short space of time ? (possibly the wrong thread, but pointing out my general worries in all departments)
Karl Parsons
462 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:10:41
Brilliant Peter #395

This next week could possibly be one of the most important in our recent history. What are we if we get continually get bullied like this? Stand up to the lot of them, that's what I was taught. Otherwise Barkley to Man Utd or City is next. And so on.

The upshot being we would never see another Premier League trophy here because we are kept in our fucking place.

Don't count me in that shithouse situation!

Liam Reilly
463 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:11:25
Rooney hurt a lot more..

If he wants out let him go, but let him go now so we can bring in quality and the cash doesn't disappear. 40 Million would be good business as he has had 1 season. Lunacy money.

Would be delighted to see United or City gazump those fuckers in West London though and why the club doesn't report them is a mystery.

Colin Glassar
464 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:16:51
Agree JK, let's play hardball for once but I think Peter might have a point. Sideshow Bob will be preparing an in-depth financial report for the BOD, showing why selling Stonesy for anything over £30m would be a fantastic opportunity not to be missed.

After all, who has to face the fans and the media? It's not BK (he's sick after all, isn't he?) or Sideshow Bob, or Woods, Green, Earle etc....it's the manager. If they do this deal without Roberto's consent I hope he does the correct thing and resigns. This club has been fucked over too many times by the bunch of shit for brains cowboys in charge.

Ian Jones
465 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:20:07
This is a difficult situation for all connected at the club including the supporters.

Whatever happens will be perceived as wrong by the various interested parties.

We all imagine how transfers potentially work, and this one seems to follow a similar path to others over the years. Media speculation. Silence from player. Bids increasing in price. Club 'rejects' them. Club sort of declares he is not for sale. Going nowhere etc. Then transfer request comes in. Media get all excited again. Fans go into meltdown! Player is exposed as being........(insert whatever word is suitable). Suddenly price to be paid seems to match what club are prepared to sell at. Club reduces the fall-out on itself as player wanted to go. Heads been turned or whatever cliche is appropriate. Etc

Of course, transfers are never as simple as that. We, as fans, never really now what goes on behind closed doors and what decisions are taken at whatever level.

Personally, part of me says if he wants to go, then let him but on our terms. He has the potential to be brilliant and whilst it would annoy me to sell him to Chelsea as I just don't like their principles, I would feel less aggrieved if he went to Man Utd or in 12 months time Barcelona. By then they will be able to buy players again.

For potential I would say minimum £50 million but try to take the money up front, although this doesn't seem to be the usual method these days and perhaps never was, and a player added in, and a sell-on fee if he gets sold. Don't want a performance related deal as per Rooney.

If he goes, I also think that he is replaceable. He is only 21 so by no means one of our senior players but a very elegant and stylish one. Whilst great to see this elegance at Everton, I am quite happy to have an effective defender, one with a more physical approach perhaps, and one who commands the penalty area. I don't see that in Stones at the moment but he is only 21 and that comes with time and experience. However, and I may be wrong as it is a long time ago and football was different then but I seem to remember John Terry and Tony Adams as being commanding when they first appeared on the scene. You could see them both as future captains and leaders. I don't see that with John Stones. If he was more demonstrative on the pitch, then I imagine he would have been a bit more vocal off the pitch this summer and if he was considering a move got word out like Fellaini did. But it seems he is a quiet, unassuming guy who goes about his business quietly and efficiently.

Ideally as a club we should make a stand for all the clubs whose players are seen as easy pickings and stand by our 'declared position' of 'not for sale' and reject his transfer request for now and reject all offers and come to an understanding with the player. If he still feels the same way in 12 months time then we just might look at offers then.

That way at least as a club we keep a modicum of control or think we do.

Liverpool managed the situation well with Suarez the season before last and got a lot out of him.

The timing of the transfer request (if true) on the eve of the Barnsley game is interesting. I assume he would have been included in the squad and involved in the match somewhere along the line as it is against his first club. If he is not involved it will be a shame for Barnsley fans who no doubt would have given him a warm reception. Again, whilst he is an Everton player, if fit, transfer or no transfer pending, he should be playing. If Martinez wants to rest players, Jagielka could stand down. Stones is younger and needs games. I don't think Everton should worry about the player being cup-tied. If he doesn't start, I would bring him on even for 30 seconds. If one aim of his is to win trophies, then that makes him cup-tied for any new club, and one less to win. Of course, as long as Everton win tonight, at least he can win the League Cup or whatever it is known as, with Everton.

I feel we should get a banner !


Steve Harris
466 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:22:46
This might sound too simple but surely Martinez or Kenwright should've asked Stones 2 months ago, when this first started, whether he wanted to stay or go? If he said he wanted to stay then great; if he wanted to go, then tell him to fuck off but only if we get £40 mill plus for him.

I can’t believe that this transfer request has come out of the blue and no fucker knew what Stones's view on it was, although it is Everton we are talking about, so nothing would surprise me. Amazingly we haven’t learnt fuck all from the Lescott fiasco and once again we’ll be left foraging about for loans and everybody’s cast offs at five to midnight on Deadline Day.

Steve Jenkins
467 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:27:09
There’s a conspiracy going around on Twitter that the board have forced Stones to hand in a transfer request, so that they can take the money and use the fact that he wanted to leave as an excuse that they didn’t have any choice but to let him go.

Apparently he has said something about other footballers' experiences where this situation has happened at clubs and is fairly common knowledge amongst players and boardrooms in football.

Now, whilst I don’t subscribe to this theory at this stage, the board allegedly do not need the money; it will not be in Everton's best interest to sell, full stop... but certainly not at this late stage in the window.

The board have been adamant that he will not be sold, so it will go against everything stated and all logic if they sell him now.

If that does indeed happen, then it certainly will give some serious legs to this (at this stage) conspiracy theory.

Matt Traynor
468 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:27:12
Steve #403,
Of course Stones would've given his indication a couple of months ago. This is a carefully stage-managed production!

The only ones who "haven't learnt fuck all from the Lescott fiasco" (I'd add Rooney, Arteta as well) are the fans who clap him or continue to caution us as to be careful what we wish for.

PS - deadline is at 6pm this time round, so five to midnight would be nearly 6 hours too late - of course, that's an excuse they've yet to use.

David Chait
469 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:28:08
I was a vitriolic as the next guy before he handed in his request.. it has come so we need to make a sober decision. Liverpool lost Suarez, Man U lost Ronaldo, Arsenal lost Fabregas... why will us specifically losing a player have such drastic results on the club that every other player wants to jump ship. If (BIG IF) the money is put into replacing with an excellent player and the guy does well, surely football will continue as before.

Many excellent youngsters might see us hardballing as a negative that they will get stuck here and therefore not join. Not everyone is looking for a project like Lukaku. But we do need to buy serious quality to ensure these guys continue to believe in the club, that is true.

What if we use the cash to buy a world class number 10? Would that not give even more of a lift?

Its completely hypothetical but so is every other gloomy scenario right now.

James Cadwaladr
470 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:31:59
This is monumental for both the club and the board and for me the outcome of this is going to truly set the stall out with regards to what this club will be after 1st September.

The board needs to grow some balls and refuse to sell or negotiate with Chelsea. Martinez needs to get hold of Stones and tell him he isn't going and to concentrate on playing for the club, getting to the Euros and earning a new contract. I don't think he is the sort to spit his dummy out and put in poor performances, and he cant afford to. Come September he will put it behind him and get on with it.

Refusing £40m and building a team around him is intention of ambition and he will get a move in the future if he needs it.

Everton must not sell him this season. There will be absolute mutiny if he goes, it would put the final nail in this boards coffin and will confirm to all that Everton are no longer a club looking to challenge, just survive.

Brian Harrison
471 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:32:48
Well lets see if RM was telling the truth when he was quoted last week of telling Stones agent that it was now to late for Everton to let Stones go. Plus Barnsley will be delighted as they get 15% of the sell on price so if we sell for £30 million we will only get £25.5 million. Plus when we go to another club to replace Stones they will add another £5 million to the price knowing we are desperate.

I also think that this just highlights why nobody outside the monied clubs will ever get into the Champions League on a regular basis. When you look at the money the top 5 clubs are spending, the rest of us are there to just make up the numbers.

Chris Kelly
472 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:35:39
Who was that top quality player Everton were linked with a few seasons ago? We never had a chance but it cons the fans to make it look like we are trying to aim high? Is this the same with Yarmolenko?

It’s going to be a week that really affects the feeling of the fans about what level of club we really are and where we can realistically aspire to be! It will also absolutely affect the fans relationship with the board.

These are tough decisions and having all the power with BK rather than a wider board of interests and views does not fill me with confidence.

Adam Roberts
473 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:37:26
I agree with Liam. £40m (if reports are correct) is lunacy money so let's take it and whilst at it, congratulate our scouting staff for generating a staggering profit for re-investment.

Admittedly it is going to be hard to find a replacement of similar quality but I don't think we need to pay even half that amount to get a star player.

Dan Bellia
474 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:43:21
So if we were really after the Ukrainian lad (which I doubt) and we get £40 million for Stones , we should in theory have around £55 million to spend. We will probably get the two South Americans, Lennon and a CB on loan.

Should keep a handy sum of money ready to disappear into the Elstone abyss.

John Logan
475 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:44:38
Other than getting a sheikh to pump bilions into a club is there now officially no possibility of ever cracking to top 4? A club like us has got closer than most others but we are just the first port of call for the CL elite clubs to add our best players to their collection, which they then loan out, or just discard as damged goods a year down the line.

Yes, Everton need to work smarter, but they really are pissing against the wind. The Champions League and the financially rigged process for qualifying for it is slowly strangling us to death.

I’m genuinely sad at what Eveton FC has been reduced to but I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel, nothing that the club can realistically do that will change the status quo. How interesting is the Premier League to supporters of clubs outside the top 4 any more? The top 4 is a seperate league only ever contested by the same 5 teams. Everyone else living off scraps and celebrating when they reach 38 points so they can do it again the following year.

Christopher Marston
476 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:45:36
Football and Everton will have lost its soul
Jason Thomas
477 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:47:08
There’s no doubt in my mind that the transfer request was made weeks ago. Stones’s agent would have let ’Sky source’ know and this is why Martinez kept getting asked "What if he hands in a transfer request"?

They have tried to get a bigger story, for instance a firm "I’m not selling no matter what" statement before releasing that Stones had handed in a transfer request.

Martinez hasn’t really played ball, his last chance was the Barnsley press conference. He told the journalists to move on, so they did and said fuck it, we’re letting the story out.

Phil Walling
478 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:48:03
So we keep Stones against his will and his game goes downhill. But hooray ! We lose games and his fee goes down by 50%.

Good business that. If he wants away, grab the money and fuck him off. Quick.

Ernie Baywood
480 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:49:07
A wide range of views on this thread.

We've got people slamming the board for lack of signings and then saying in the next breath "but once he decides to go you've got to sell him". If there is a polar opposite of signing good players than I reckon that's probably it.

I don't know why but I'm just not feeling the emotion this time around. Maybe Rooney killed that part of me off. I just think that club and players have a marriage of convenience. We outgrow players, we ditch them. They outgrow us, they ditch us. Both ways, we have to deal with the constraints of a contract.

Basically, those saying that we have to sell him now are giving the board exactly what they want. An excuse. The only excuse for selling Stones is that we have decided the money is of more use than the player. Our terms.

Dan Bellia
481 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:51:34
Oh Christ Chris#408 there have been to many to guess . Riquelme was a good one , Shearer , the Ba and Fer Medicals. Fernandes was one that dragged us to the death also.
Laurie Hartley
482 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:52:02
Well I have learned something about myself since last Friday - I am no good at crystal ball gazing.

I posted this on the Everton V Manchester City thread:

"If we roll City, keep hold of John Stones, and sign Yarmolenko everything changes. We could be on the up again."

You have to laugh don't you.

Seriously though I am gutted about Stones. I had bought into the theory that Martinez had sold the youngsters on his project and this was the way forward for the club, and furthermore that Stones would be his leader on the pitch.

I am not going to knock the board on this one. They held on to Coleman, Baines, McCarthy. The difference is none of those 3 handed in a transfer request - he wants away.

They will have to sell him now. If they don't they will be cutting their nose off to spite their face. Learn from the Lescott schemozzle.

I just hope it doesn't knock the stuffing out of the rest of the team.


Dan Bellia
483 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:57:22
Laurie #414 perhaps Stones did buy in to the vision but the lack of signings and annual last minute deals screamed to him of lack of ambition?
Nick Armitage
484 Posted 26/08/2015 at 10:59:40
David Chait - it's the in out churning of these deals funded by offshore high interest unsecured loans that is bleeding the club dry. Still robbing Peter to pay Paul, due to the lack of real funds and a plan to generate sustainable income, we lurch from one pay day loan shark to the next (Earl and Green) and we are getting fucked over on commission and interest. That is why the club is fucked and that is why every saleable asset gets shifted on.
Colin Glassar
485 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:00:03
David Chalt, just a word of caution not one of those clubs improved after selling those players. Yes, united went on to win the prem but they've been in decline ever since. And as for the rs and arsenal have they really moved on since selling Suarez and Fabregas?
Chris Gould
486 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:09:16
Phil 411, I don't think that's necessarily an accurate assessment. I think he'd get over it and get his head down. If not, he'd look like a spoilt brat and wouldn't do his England chances any good. Plus, I think he gets on with his teammates and wouldn't want to let them down.

We should make him stay, give him a couple of weeks to get his head straight, and then enjoy him for one last seasob before selling him for £50 million after the Euros.

To sell him to Chelsea would be surrendering to bullies, and that would be the final straw for a lot of fans who are already disillusioned.

Laurie Hartley
487 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:11:28
Fair comment Dan @ 415. That thought had crossed my mind. I just thought Stones was made of different stuff.

Back to the drawing board.

Colin Glassar
488 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:12:17
One interesting rumour, which surfaced last night, is that Everton are trying to reach a deal with Barnsley over his sell on percentage. According to these rumours, Everton want to give them a lump sum now (between £3-5m) as long as they rip up the previous agreement.

If true this would suggest to me that they are planning on keeping JS, for another season at least, and will allow us to keep all of the money in any future deal be it £30 or 50m next summer.

Dan Bellia
489 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:14:36
Laurie#419 that seems to be the problem mate , we are in a constant cycle of being back to the drawing board! Something has to give eventually either good or bad.
Colin Glassar
490 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:20:12
Stonesy wants to play tonight, apparently. Make him captain and put Browning next to him so he feels responsible. If he does play tonight I'd love to see Jose's face and his media hacks.

It doesn't mean he's going or staying but it would show he's a pro in the best sense of the word.

David Chait
491 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:22:52
Colin 420 - apparently we have tried that before to buy out the clause.

Ya Liverpool never recovered, but its a striker which is much harder to replace. The greatest example of losing your potential must be Spurs with Bale. If they could have built around him who knows what they could have achieved.

I have been saying no to this no matter the cash all along, but its such a delicate dynamic now with the transfer request. I have also been saying we cant replace him adequately anyway. So maybe its worth taking the risk and just say no. I believe he is a professional and wont drop his head. He would know it wouldn't help any future transfers he might want if he does drop his performance.

Maybe my acceptance of our fate is also I do feel resentment to the kid for wanting to leave and want to wash our hands. Also we have the pain of not being able to buy the number 10 we want and I know this would help... I admit my sober version is tainted with a shot of pissed off.. haha.

Ok I'm back! Screw Em all.. keep the lad! Just say NO!

Dan Bellia
492 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:29:11
Colin#422 I'm sure he does want to play and I don't doubt he will be outstanding , I don't blame him at all for the request he has ambition . I can't help wish our front office showed some.
Colin Glassar
493 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:30:14
Until some official statement is made by the club (I've been told Goodison is in lock down, even the ball boys are hiding in Bill's office) I'm clinging on to the slender hope that this is all just another rumour and we'll be laughing about it next week. I really want him to stay.
Roger Sunde
494 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:31:47
We should never sell Stones, he can't afford to drop his head anyway with the European Championship coming next summer. Then Everton have a year to find a replacement... that might be enough time for this slow-arse board.
Thomas Surgenor
495 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:34:21
For what it's worth, I think he will stay to the summer.
I've put my money where my mouth is and lumped onto SkyBets 72.
Phil Walling
496 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:34:40
The sooner Evertonians accept that our club is now seen as'a half-way house' to glory rather than a players' dream destination, the sooner all the angst with talent just 'passing through' will dissipate.

Getting all up tight and sentimental about these mercenaries, however talented they are is a recipe for heartache. Not one of them gives a stuff about us, I can assure you, with most planning their next move the day after they've held up the shirt !

Think of them as you would the latest big act at the Empire. ' I love you, Merseyside', they used to shout. Tomorrow was a different stage in a different city - and they loved them, too !

Dan Bellia
497 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:35:44
I'm hopeful to but my gut tells me that if we were going to stand our ground the club would have said something by now, I hope I'm wrong though.
Iain Latchford
498 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:38:06
God help us if he stays and gets injured on 1st September.
John Salmon
499 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:39:52
If he has requested a move, tell Chelsea he is not for sale, offer him to Man City or Man Utd. In the meantime put him in the reserves, let his contract run down... make a stand, Everton.
Colin Glassar
500 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:40:49
I was going to use the "Never, Never, Never!!!" line but after reading Phil W, the wind has been knocked out of my sails.
Kristian Boyce
501 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:47:18
The sad thing of it all is that I can see this being said on Sept 2:

"Where's the Stones money Bill?"

Andrew Clare
502 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:47:55
We are all understandably unhappy about the Stones situation.A situation that we would never have been in if Everton had been managed correctly at board room level since the early nineties.
We are like a once great ocean liner that sailed the seven seas moored in dry dock for tourists to wander around, completely run down and forgotten.Existing without purpose with no chance of meaningful existence.
This is why we are angry. Non of this would have happened with the right people running the club.
We have had a succession of ill appointed mangers followed by a mediocre manager for 11 years followed by- well the jury's out on the present one all because the board have had no idea and ambition.
Dan Bellia
503 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:48:47
Think you're deflated Colin ? I ordered the new home kit with # Stones on the back and paid for shipping to Australia! I'll wear it with pride with my Rooney and Arteta kits....
John Audsley
504 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:48:50
God this is a hard one, even on holiday it's impossible to ignore. Still, he is an Everton player until the board decide otherwise.

We need at least 3 players regardless of Stones going.

Bet he plays tonight.

Spragg Johnson
505 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:49:01
How much of that £35mill for Stones will we actually spend on new players? I'm guessing 5 mill on Mori, 5 mill on Evans and 5 mill on Lennon and a tiny bit on this Uruguayan unknown ... The rest we owe Chelsea for Lukaku anyway.
Odds on that the Lukaku deal last year was dependent on Mourinho grabbing either Stones or Barkley whenever he felt like it and all this refusing of bids talk in the press, and "we're not a selling club" bluster is pure Kenwright theatre.
Shane Corcoran
506 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:52:10
Can you imagine RM's answer to a question about this pre-game tonight?

He'll miss the first twenty minutes such will be the rambling.

Tony Draper
507 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:53:17
Before I ask people to consider the following, I want to go on record by saying that I'd love for Everton to have the sheer brass nuts to keep John Stones (and not just for another 12 months).

OK so lets say that Chelsea do slap down £45M for Stones and say "That's our final offer, all of it". Not a blink from Everton as we say, "He's NOT for sale".

Then lets jump ahead 12 months and on ToffeeWeb we're debating what we could have done with the money Chelsea offered and

a) "Isn't it bloody typical luck for Everton that six weeks into the season Stones suffered that bad injury (example Oviedo) that will keep him out for at least another 3 months into the 2016/17 season.

b) "What the hell has happened with Stones ? This time last year he was the next English 'Big Thing', but he really hasn't come on at all this season".

Both scenarios are possible, and we'd be looking at the books and wondering "So why the hell didn't we grab the money ? We won't get even half of that for him now".

As I said in opening, "I'd love for Everton to have the sheer brass nuts to keep John Stones (and not just for another 12 months)".

Colin Glassar
508 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:54:02
Well it's official now, The Secret Footballer (really a group of bored journos) have him signed, sealed and delivered to the chavs. Not only do they gloat, they shit all over us with their small club digs.
Jim Knightley
509 Posted 26/08/2015 at 11:55:12
I think this greedy line is a bit unnecessary and simplistic. Should we follow that notion and suggest Stones was greedy for joining us, because he joined a better team without the certainty of first team football?

Footballers are ambitious. If they were not, they would not be top players. Stones has no loyalty to us - he has only played here for 2 years, and is desired only because he is a great player. We have criticised and booed our players when they have underperformed, but expect unrelenting loyalty in return, even after our club has underperformed. At this moment he has a chance to move to the Champions. He will likely have this chance next season, or the season following, but perhaps he does not see it like that - especially if they were to bring someone else in place of him, or if his standing dropped. He wants to play for the Champions, because playing for them means he can play UCL football, and challenge for the title. He has a brilliant opportunity of displacing a 35 year old Terry on the wane, or an unspectacular Gary Cahill at this moment. There is nothing surprising about his decision to leave and nothing uniquely greedy about it. It makes far more sense to frame it as a career based decision, because he will become the most expensive British CB in history, and will not be going to Chelsea to warm the bench.

From our side, we should sell him if it suits us. We need a replacement ready first, and we should look to get 35mil plus some add ons. If we do, we've got an absurd amount for a defender with mistakes in him, and a player with brilliant but unrealised potential. It's still a great deal for us, especially because defenders are cheaper than attacking players. But we must replace him. I would prefer that we didnt sell, because such a selling model is doomed to water down the quality in the first eleven, even if it improves the squad. Yet, we will go on, even if the shoddy management and the timing of the transfer request has fucked us up. It's the 26th of August, and we have 2 senior CBs at the club, and one of those is half way out the door. I repeat what I said previously: Someone should be sacked over that. It is nothing short of a disgrace, and it has contributed to the precarity of our current situation.

Iain Latchford
510 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:24:31
Surely if he hadn't handed in a transfer request the club would issue a statement immediately to deny he had ? After all, they've been banging on that he's not for sale all along. In addition wouldn't Stones want them to deny it too, so not to damage his relationship with the fans ?

The silence speaks volumes. The request is in, I've no doubt about it.

James Marshall
511 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:25:47
Spurs bid for Berahino and the player put in a written transfer request, and West Brom turned down the request..... Jus sayin.
Gary Edwards
512 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:27:13
all so very familiar and orchestrated in line with Bill's Transfer Window M.O. Martinez will see only a fraction of the money, if any at all, the team / squad will continue the season considerably weaker than last year and the supporters will get the normal waffle from the club and be expected to accept it. At least the creditors will be happy after they've received their latest instalment. I imagine team spirit will be in the dirt as a result of this with neither Martinez or Jagielka able to provide the drive and rousing presence that is needed now. Well done Bill.
Nicky Styles
513 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:30:11
Dont blame him for wanting to leave us - we're going nowhere fast - but he has all the time in the world to go to a successful club. Personally I think he should have stayed with us for 1 or 2 more seasons before moving on.
I don't actually mind him going, at least we'll get an extortionate amount of money for him, but Id much rather sell to Man Utd than Chelsea. We've been bullied by them and I'd love it if they didnt get their way
Colin Glassar
514 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:33:30
I blame the banner. Stones probably thought Chelsea fans would've used a Lear Jet but this lot can only afford a crappy Cessna .
Danny Halsall
515 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:34:49
This interest from Chelsea has been going on for practically the whole of the transfer window. Surely if Stones wanted to leave then he could have submitted a transfer request much earlier in the window. This would have given us time to negotiate a good price with Chelsea and then pick a suitable replacement with plenty of time to assess our options. With the additional cash we may have also been able to push through the Yarmolenko deal before Barcelona stuck their beak in.

Now we are in a mess. Any substantial fee spent now will be a money that has been spent in a panic. Hopefully we will keep hold of him until next summer and after a good season we can hike his fee up another £10 million. Cannot see it happening though, wouldn't be surprised if he is sold on deadline day and the entire transfer fee disappears into the void that is Everton Football Club.

Mark Tanton
516 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:36:36
James, Berahino will end up at Tottenham I think that's certain. Players have the power to move where they want, and rightly so - it's not North Korea.
Danny Halsall
517 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:41:37
Mark, I agree that players should have some degree of power of moves that they make, but they should not have the influence to demand a move whenever they feel like it. Berahino is an important player to WBA as Stones is to Everton. We are a week away from the end of the window, and both are on long term contracts at their respective clubs. In Stones case it was only last August that he was saying that it 'was a dream to put pen to paper' for Everton. You're right when you say that the players should have a say, but not at the expense of clubs that have nurtured and looked out for them.
Steve Brown
518 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:45:18
This is now a test of our credibility, reputation and seriousness as a club.... so we're stuffed.
Matt Butlin
519 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:45:38
Some things we can be certain of. The transfer request has been handed in because Everton would have said so if not. Another bid is on its way because Stones would look a right tit if nobody came in for him now.

We'll soon find out who is now pushing for the deal. Stones (and we'll say no because he's not for sale) or Everton (because ...)

Kevin Tully
520 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:45:41
The club's finances are in complete disarray. This is why we can't even start negotiations for any replacements until this deal is done. We are relying on short-term season to season finance secured on future T.V. revenues.

The club have now decided that they don't need to even communicate with the fans. When was the last time we heard anything positive?

They have got away with this buy to sell policy for the duration of their tenure, because the fans never really kicked up a fuss. I've a feeling they are in for a shock this time around though - and not before time.

Guy Hastings
521 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:51:47
Maybe they should introduce a form of 'gardening leave' for transfer-requesting players. Yes, you can go but you can't play for a rival for at least three months, or a proportion of the years left on your contract, while the new club also covers your salary. That'd make them think twice.
Eugene Ruane
522 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:52:29
The frustrating thing about the straw that breaks the camel's back, is that you never know exactly which straw it'll be.

Basically everything is fine until the split-second that straw is added, then suddenly the legs of the poor beast buckle under the weight and the damage is done (ok maybe it's not a dead camel, but my guess is it's very difficult to revive a buckled camel).

For me Alan Ball being sold was more of a log than a straw, but my Camel was young, fit and strong and after the initial shock, kept on walking.

Rooney being sold was quite a hefty straw too (a definite leg-stiffener) but we got over it.

As for Lescott, Arteta, Rodwell, Fellaini, Graveson - not individually that much weight, but together it got my Camel's attention.

Now it's Stones - again quite a hefty straw, but not really much I can do now as as I already have a season-camel..er...ticket (starts to panic, wishes I hadn't started the daft straw/camel thing).

But what about Barkley in January?

Or Lukaku 12 months from now?

Or Coleman to Utd on Saturday?

Truth is my Camel is starting to feel a bit goosed and it's possible that a couple more straws and he might think 'Fuck 'em and fuck the season-ticket, I'll save 650 nicker and watch it in the alehouse' (only in..er Camel language).

By the way, can you guess what brand of ciggy I smoke?

That's right, Bensons.

John Crawley
524 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:54:26
Mark - ridiculous comment. Players have a choice whether they want to sign a new contract and for how long that contract should last, no one is holding a gun to their head to sign it! If you sign a contract then you should be prepared to honour it, you aren't signing your life away you are just agreeing to play for a club for a certain length of time for a certain amount of remuneration.

Andrew Rocha 308 - welcome to Everton and a great first post. I agree with your general comments. If a player, such as Stones has signed a contract, then we should turn down any transfer requests and bids and make him honour it. As you say you can't build a team if you have to keep selling your best young players. Unfortunately conventional wisdom says you should always sell a player when they put in a request. I think conventional wisdom is wrong. If more clubs took a stance then the tactics used by Chelsea and Stones would get used less and less.

At the current moment we are in an environment, because of the massive TV money, whereby clubs shouldn't have to sell players if they don't want to. This situation hasn't really arisen before for clubs, Everton for one had to sell Wayne Rooney to stop the banks from taking the club over. That's no longer the case. Next year the TV revenues will go up again, so prices for players will most certainly increase. That is one reason why we shouldn't sell Stones now. The other reason is that his value as a player will only increase the better he becomes. The final reason is that simply put its a very bad time to sell, you have little or no time to get in replacements and we are already short on centre halfs.

If Liverpool were in the situation that we find ourselves in you can bet that they would not be accepting the transfer request and they wouldn't be selling Stones this window.

Steve Cotton
525 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:54:40
Where is Martin Mason now telling us its all roses in the garden???
Mark Tanton
526 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:55:46
Can the club even complete a signing of a decent replacement if we can't even get Funes Mori over the line? It's comical, if wasn't the club we love you'd have to laugh.
Iain Latchford
527 Posted 26/08/2015 at 12:57:53
It'll rumble on over the weekend, then will go through on Monday. That'll give us a day to fuck up numerous potential transfers, before getting Pistone back......on loan.
Terence Tipler
528 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:00:05
Brilliant as usual Eugene.
Jamie Barlow
529 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:02:42
Martin Mason. Win win? Idiot wind up merchant.

If he does go, and I hope he doesn't, I hope its all bollocks, I wish him no luck at all. In fact, I hope it all goes down hill for the lad.

Matt Traynor
530 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:12:35
Tony #437, that scenario is exactly what happened with Ross Barkley is it not? Rumoured £50m bid from City / Chelsea, he then goes on to have a somewhat disappointing season last time out, and people were saying "If only we'd cashed in...", "lucky to get £5m for him now..." etc.

Jamie #456, I'm with you. I hope his form goes out the window, and John Terry gets his revenge by knocking his missus up or something. See if he misses the fabled dressing room spirit back here!

Terence Tipler
531 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:13:57
The silence from club and manager, could be a sign of disagreement, of how we should deal with the Stones situation.
Kevin Elliott
532 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:16:02
Can't believe it .
The cheeky bastards have just emailed me to say that the third strip has arrived and is now available to purchase.
They can duck right off..
David Hallwood
533 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:21:26
Out of the 439 posts so far Jim(#439) has nailed it. Roughly 60% are of the 'my woman she dog gone left me' variety and I think everyone should calm down and realise this will always happen until Everton starts to think and act big again.

Stones left Barnsley to go to a bigger club and now he's going to an even bigger club to fill his wallat and trophy cabinet-what's wrong with that?

Secondly he's a defender who as Jim pointed out has a mistake a game in him not a goal machine or a midfield general; yes I want him to stay he's a cultured defender who looks easy on the eye but I'm old school and defenders are there to defend and there are more than enough CB out there to fill in while the young lads come through.

Like Jim IMO the scandal of this is that we let 2 CB's go 2 months ago and they haven't been replaced, and even if Stones stays this means we're an injury/suspension away from square pegs on round holes.

It doesn't have to be a marquee signing; a Ron Vlaar or similar until the youngsters get up to speed. This isn't about money, or lack of, it's about strategic planning rather than lurching from crisis to crisis, and has echoes of the year Rooney was sold and we were touring the states and we couldn't put a full bench out.

This is Everton FFS, longest serving team in the top flight, 1
2nd longest consecutive years in top flight-blah blah. NOT Rush & Diamonds except we act small time; maybe that's why we are small time

John Downey
534 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:22:03
We sShould see if we could get Man Utd to swop Rooney and Evans for John Stones, that way we could salvage something positive out of this shambles while also shafting Chelsea.
Colin Glassar
535 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:23:56
I've just read an interesting article about this silly Neymar to man u rumour by Guilem Balague. Apparently this, "I'm dying to move to the prem" statement has been made by family members in Brasil as part of a negotiating to ploy to make Barca offer him a better offer (he's got three years left) in upcoming talks. According to Guilem, Neymar has absolutely no intention of leaving Barca (neither does Messi) what he does want is the promise of an improved deal.

Now this got me thinking. Not long ago Kev and Macca were "desperately unhappy" until they got new deals. I imagine Stonesy is now one of the lower paid players in the first team squad could this just be a way of his people getting him a better deal? I know he only signed a new contract last season but contracts can be renegotiated can't they?

Craig Walker
536 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:27:00
Dan at #433. With your track record, we should club together and buy you a McGeady shirt.

If it is true that he has handed in a transfer request then I think we should sell him and set the bidding at £45m. I don't want players putting on our shirt who don't want to be here. Coincidentally, I started reading The Cannonball Kid book last night which the missus bought me for my birthday. When you read Hickson's quote about dying for Everton it puts into perspective the modern footballer. The vast majority are a bunch of overpaid, badge-kissing mercenaries. I thought John Stones might be more grounded but it looks like I was wrong.

I was trying to think last night about which players have left Everton and genuinely gone on to better things: Rooney, Arteta and Lescott have all won trophies. What about the likes of Gosling and Rodwell (I haven't checked but Rodwell probably won medals by sitting on the bench)? They didn't exactly set the football world alight did they? Barmby left us to go to the RS and finished up at Hull. Even going back to Lineker, we won the league the following season.

The grass isn't always greener. There will be certain expectations for a £40m defender. His main job will be to defend and he'll have to cut out the frequent mistakes through overplaying. If he doesn't perform then Chelsea have the resources to cast him aside.

Bhal Rai
537 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:29:03
If he goes to Chelsea, make Remy part of the deal (£35M + Remy)

If he goes to Man Utd then make evans part of the deal (£35M + Evans)

Callum McNab
538 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:35:08
Keep him,stick him on the bench for the next six months. When he asks why,we tell him we're preparing him for his life at Chelsea.
Iain Latchford
539 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:38:03
It's the modern game Craig, and I don't like it anymore than you do. If the transfer goes through Everton will use the money to sign players from clubs with less financial power than us, and so the cycle will continue.

Big fish eat little fish, and we stopped being the great white shark a long time ago.

Tony Draper
540 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:41:57
Matt @457 "See if he misses the fabled dressing room spirit back here!".

Well we do know what a loveable chap John Terry is when he feels threatened or under pressure. So he eggs on the Chelsea established to play all manner of pranks and insist that all new arrivals sing them a song (to Cahills "GarryOke" or whatever).

But up to now their new signings haven't arrived wearing a freshly printed label saying "Direct Replacement for John Terry".

Will make for interesting reading in someones yet to be published biography:

"...and we was all larfin' as we was singin' the eighteenth verse of "My Ole Man Said Foller the Van" while John Terry dry bummed him !"

Andrew Ellams
541 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:42:21
The difference being Iain that clubs like Chelsea and Man City are signing young English players for huge sums to fill quotas and many of them stagnate and end up at clubs like Sunderland and Villa like Rodwell and Scott Sinclair with their career development and international prospects damaged. It's not just a case of club needs player, club buys player and start off a chain reaction in doing so.
Stephen Brown
542 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:43:43
40 million with a sell on percentage seems reasonable. As has been said by many posters he is good on the ball etc etc but I may be old fashion but a number 1 role of a defender is to defend! There's a lot of potential for JS to become top notch at this too but he is not there yet! Nearly every game he gives away a chance/goal. Shawcross, Williams and Evans have been sneered at by some on here but the reality is they would all cost us less goals than JS during the season which you could argue improves the team!?

However the biggest negative is it does have a negative effect on the club and shows us very much as the prey! Therefore I think if we do sell we should do everything in our power to not sell to Chelsea to demonstrate we won't be bullied!

All in all a sham logic transfer window which is turning me grey! I challenge myself to not check TW for an hour! Impossible task!

Stephen Brown
543 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:44:13
Shambolic
Brian Williams
544 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:47:42
The solution to this is simple.
The club simply tell him that with such a short time left in the window we can'tet him go. Tell him if he maintains his form we'll look at it again in January.
Tell Chelsea that January is the earliest we could let him go and the price will be £45 million.
He IS under a long contract so its not actually a problem...or shouldnt be if the club uses common sense.
It also sends a message that we'll do it on our terms.
Then we should concemtrate on getting the three players in that Martinez has said we need.
James Morgan
545 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:49:06
The silence is deafening.
Charlie Dixon
546 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:49:29
If Jagielka gets injured tonight we're doomed.

I don't know what to think or advise. Sadly neither do the club. I make that 24 hours since the supposed transfer request was made and we've still heard nothing. This is where we consistently let ourselves down as a Club. I hope the Club are reading the comments under the ridiculously ill-timed 3rd kit tweet earlier today. What a shambles...

Short term fixes... Evans and Lescott. Christ did I just write that..... Surely we get the players in now before we accept any bid. Do we have the funds to do that.. probably not.

I think signing Austin and Yarmelenko would soften the blow, however I fear we'll settle with the two south americans, Lennon and some other rotter of a centre back.

I feel sorry and massively admire anyone going to Barnsley tonight. I'll be watching that through my fingers in a dark room.


Iain Latchford
547 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:49:43
I agree to an extent Andrew, but it's also up to the player too as to whether he wants to take that risk. We've just signed Holgate from Barnsley. No doubt he's looked at Stones and thought "That could be me", but he may never make it and could end up back in the championship or lower. Stones will be thinking he can win everything at Chelsea (and get paid twice as much). The sad truth is he'll win a lot more than he ever would at Everton.....if he stays in the team that is.
James Marshall
548 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:52:13
Mark@446. My point is that clubs can and do turn down transfer requests. Don't believe the hype.
Craig Harrison
549 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:53:44
$35+ million for a young player who has bags of potential but is yet to complete a season due to injury, and will most likely sit on the bench of his new team, seems like good business to me. However when you realise that the money will be swallowed up by other operating costs and the manager will likely see less that $5 million of it it makes me want to cry. Every player in the world has a value that if met would result in him being sold. Even the likes of Messi would be sold if the right bid came in. The difference is these clubs would re invest this money into new players
Jeff Beaumont
550 Posted 26/08/2015 at 13:59:23
Solution - simple.
Tell him the Board will consider his request at their next meeting which has been convened for 2nd Sept.
Keith Monaghan
551 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:01:04
Thankfully there are some calm, level-headed posts on here.
Sadly, all those calling John Stones, Roberto, Bill K & the Board are giving the targets of their abuse the perfect excuse to leave sign for another club, sell our best players etc - ask yourselves, how would you feel if you were a decent guy playing & doing his best for Everton reading a lot of these negative posts? You aren't giving a very good impression of Everton fans and not helping our cause in any way, shape or form. How would you feel seeing that banner fly over when you're about to play for the club?
Keith Monaghan
552 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:10:30
What's wrong with the club saying nothing about this publicly, and behind closed doors telling JS he's not being sold this season - they've already told Chelski & the press he's not for sale. Get on & concentrate on the important business of trying to win matches and sign the type of players we were already looking for?
By the way, there's no consolation in selling to ManUre - they've a long history of using the tactics employed by Chelski & its cohorts.
Sam Hoare
553 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:11:38
A large portion of star players who issue transfer requests end up signing new contracts and then staying at the club for another year or so. Benteke, Suarez, Rooney, Tevez etc

Let's see how this pans out but I still think he'll be an Everton player come September.

Tony Draper
554 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:11:59
To my recollection, the club has said repeatedly and openly that he is not for sale. (No matter the exact wording, that is what has been said).

This means that JS written request means nothing because, there is no offer on the table.

So to all of you "wanting to be told what is happening", you have. There is nothing happening. When would you like to be advised regarding the next "nothing happening" ?

Iain Latchford
555 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:17:05
Tony, the reason being is that I believe there is something happing. The club aren't saying anything because they now look like buffoons because they said nothing is happening, or is going to happen, and now there is. (if that makes sense).
Iain Latchford
556 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:18:46
*happening
Colin Glassar
557 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:23:35
I'm leaning towards the 'he will stay' group. Asking for a transfer means about as much as signing a new contract. How many times has Rooney asked for a transfer only to be offered an improved deal? At least twice I think.

Like Sam, Keith and a few others have said, just tell him it's too late now and we'll talk about it next summer. If he has a good season, and a good euros, he'll be worh far more than the latest (and last) £35m plus 5m in add-ons that Chelsea will offer this week.

We can turn this into a win win situation if we are clever. The lad stays, has a great season and either, changes his mind or we get a huge transfer fee next summer.

Phil Walling
558 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:26:51
Irrespective of 'Wonderboy' Stones (two years ago it was 'Wonderboy'Barkley), I can't believe that we have reached the last few days of the window without replacing Distin and Alcaraz.

To me, that smacks of sheer dereliction of duty by this manager who should have been identifting replacements even before he gave the two old boys their notice of dismissal. And don't give me, 'Bill wouldn't release the money,' because that's an easy 'out' for everyone who finds it difficult to lay any blame for anything on the congenial Spaniard.

Well before now, the courting of Stones by Maurinho should have become an annoying sideshow as our two new defenders settled in via a full pre- season. Prevarication was often seen as Moyes' greatest weakness as he frequently talked of needing to see any signing a dozen or more times before he could make a decision. But he was Mr Decisive compared with this bugger !

Here we are, three weeks into the new season and all he can point to is a 'maybe' defender from South America whom I bet he has never seen 'live' in his life ! For gawd's sake, stop throwing Stones at Uncle Bill and cast the blame where it really belongs !

Zac Farbrother
559 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:26:55
I hope to God you're right Colin
Dennis Ng
560 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:28:51
Colin, I like that idea. I wonder if the club is smart enough to do that though.
Tony Draper
561 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:34:10
Iain @ 479, I understand what you are trying to say, it's clear enough mate.

But, there is no new offer (from ANY club) and until Everton have received it and considered it then there is nothing to report. Far from looking buffoons they appear shrewd, considered and discreet. If you don't agree, then go and have a look at how Ebay works. The highest bid secures the goods but if you openly say "buy now for £X" then no-one will bid higher than the "Buy Now" price.

I said (twice) in posting 437 "I'd love for Everton to have the sheer brass nuts to keep John Stones (and not just for another 12 months)".

Showing our hand to the opposition is not in our interests, now matter how keen you might be to know what is going on right now.

Tony Draper
562 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:37:04
I meant:
"no matter how keen you might be to know what is going on right now".
Tony Draper
564 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:37:09
I meant:
"no matter how keen you might be to know what is going on right now".
Robert Elliott
565 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:37:25
In a summer of ridiculous media headlines regarding Stones the Daily Mirror have now taken the biscuit with their "Stones prepared to play at Barnsley" effort! 'Prepared to play'!?! How kind of him!

Tell Stones he ain't going nowhere and tell Chelsea the same. Stones can't afford to sulk, not if he wants to start for England next summer.

I can understand why some might say take the money, and if a player wants out then ship him out, but who are we supposed to replace him with at this late stage? By the way, I agree with those saying that entering the season with two senior centre halves is criminal, even by Everton standards.

As for the future, Stones will only get better and clubs will always want centre-halves, particularly home grown ones. Selling him for £30-40m now will look ridiculous over the next few years. If we bend over and take a shafting now then who's next, Lukaku? Barkley? Time to make a bloody stand Everton!

Colin Glassar
566 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:41:33
I hope so too Zac. Btw, I really enjoyed your post 265, well worth a read by everyone.

Phil, that's a bit contradictory even for you isn't it? You now call Dithering Dave, Mr Decisive compared to this bugger yet you let Chairman Bill off on both counts. Who runs the sodding club then? For years OFM, usually, waited until very late to make his moves many of which never came off. This manager is no different by the looks of it. But if I'm running a struggling business isn't it my responsibility to make sure that my underlings are making the correct decisions?

As chairman the buck has to stop with him. If he's as pure as snow as you make out why, after so many years in charge, are we still so shambolic in the transfer market? Can't he say to HIS appointed managers, I want all our transfers done early this year? Can he hell because, as you well know, every year he's scrambling around trying to find the money to make at least one or two deals (usually after selling someone).

So let's be fair Phil. The managers aren't the problem, the problem is the chairman and his seven dwarves (mentally if not financially) who don't invest a penny, have no strategy and don't seem to give a shit about the club.

Ernie Baywood
567 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:42:01
There's something like a £40M discussion going on... I'm sure we can forgive them doing that in private.
Eugene Ruane
568 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:43:43
With the minutes ticking away, it occurs to me that Chelsea might decide not follow our model of securing players (ie: make sure the player can't pass a medical or get a work permit, then put in a bid at 11.59pm on the last day of the window).

It's possible they might have spent the time since the last Stones bid, securing the services of another CB.

I mean theoretically they could say "what are you looking at us for? - we bid £30m, you said no, we're done'

Imagine later this avvy if they unveiled £43m Spanish star Manuel Laybor or £51m Russian legend Leva Vestov - where that would leave Stones?

Link

Iain Latchford
569 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:47:23
I hope you're right Tony. Like I said earlier I am cynical to the point of being paranoid when it comes to Everton and big money transfers, both in and out.

My opinion is that Everton can't turn this deal down, and that it's a pantomime to try to make it look like they don't want to sell. Stones and Chelsea are just part of the whole façade. Behind the scenes we're saying "He can go, but for fucks sake let's make it look like we did everything to try to make him stay".

That does sound very paranoid doesn't it.....medication time for me.....and stop listening to my phone calls !!

Bill Gall
570 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:48:52
The major problem with Stones is not that he put in the transfer request, as many of us expected him to be leaving as soon as Chelsea showed their interest over a month ago. The major problem is the timing, and that is with just 6 days to go before the window closes, that will have the club scrambling to find a suitable replacement.

The only positive I see coming out of this is , it shows up the poor unprofessional way this club is run in both its search for players and scouting system. After letting 2 back up center back's go and with the knowledge we would need at least 1 experienced center back for cover ,with the transfer window rapidly coming to a close ,all we have is expectations that we will be signing 2 players and still looking for a # 10. And now we may be having to play with only 1 recognized experienced center back without cover except for youth players.

Unless the board and the manager stand firm over the comments made over the last few days and do not sell Stones, they will show the rest of the league what many of us have been saying that this Chairman and board are not worthy of running Everton F.C.

Ged Simpson
571 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:52:37
Anyone bored with the bloody Stones story and just want to watch a match ? Is it just me ?
Colin Glassar
572 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:53:22
Could this be the first 1000 posts article on TW? And who will be the lucky winner (post 1000) I think free tickets to the Everton - Chelsea game would be a worthy prize from Michael and Lyndon, don't you?

Eugene, that could be a possibility. Maybe Garay or TW favourite (by some) Ryan Shawcross? I still think Chelsea will make one last bid (480) but then move on.

Dan Bellia
573 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:55:01
Craig #460 I'd shell out the $140 it cost me to get a shirt sent over with mcgeady on it if it meant getting rid of him! My mrs was just in London and wanted to surprise me with a Everton shirt and she messaged me frustrated she couldn't find one. When I told her that you can't just merely walk into a store and buy one her response was " so they play boring , grounds falling apart and you can't buy there shirts, why do you support them ? " I had to laugh .
Matt Garen
574 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:55:06
So Phil 482 its nothing but coincidence that Everton have signed more people in the last day of the transfer window that any other club when the sky money has been banked? Naive in the extreme if you think Martinez or Moyes wouldn't prefer to do transfers early. A quick look at Real Sociedad's summer and Moyes has made 8 signings and 7 before the end of July. Hardly dithering.
Andy Codling
575 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:56:42
Just seen Alan Stubbs on SSN talking about Hibs, and couldnt help but think that if he was still on the Everton payroll he could be advising Stones to leave ala Rooney!!
Phil Bellis
576 Posted 26/08/2015 at 14:57:18
Passing through Heaton Chapel en route to the game
All travelling with me hope the club has the balls to play him tonight; he's an Everton player, up yours Chelsea and your paid hacks

"We hold all the cards"
Goddam motherfuckin right we do!

Zac Farbrother
577 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:01:11
Thanks Colin! - It was my girlfriend who posted it haha. She WAS JS' biggest fan. I'm still confused about what to think of all this. Waiting to hear something from Everton and John himself...might be waiting a while!
Zac Farbrother
578 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:04:54
What's the ToffeeWeb record number of posts? Anyone know?
Jay Harris
579 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:05:09
Bill we already know this board is not fit to run Everton.

The main question now is do we stick or twist as a club.

On the one hand we could simply tell Stones he has 4 years of his contract to run and we need to find a suitable replacement before and if he is allowed to go.

On the other hand if his head has been turned and he is a waste of time over the next few months and supporters start to get on his back the way they did with Trevor Steven then we might as well cash in now as long as the money is reinvested in the squad which is also highly dubious knowing the history of this board.

This situation has really gutted Evertonians and made a mockery of the "Golden generation" claims a few days ago.

Iain Latchford
580 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:05:23
Anything for the 500th post Colin ? ;-)
Iain Latchford
581 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:06:19
Bloody hell Jay !!! Ruined my big moment there. I was waiting for that !!
Nigel Munford
582 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:08:10
James @# 372

Hope I haven't started a move for a new club motto :-(

Stu Gore
583 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:10:06
After all the sideways rubbish of last year this lack of defenders paves the way for our all out attack style
Howard
Jags
Miralles, Cleverly, Osman, Barry, McCarthy, Deulofeu
Barkley
Lukaku, Kone

Subs:
Coleman
Robles
Callow youth
Callow youth
Callow youth
Callow youth
Baines

It won't be boring!

Colin Glassar
584 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:16:14
A packet of woodies and a box of swan Iain. Hope you're old enough to remember.
John Keating
585 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:19:13
Still reckon we should play him in injury time tonight.
We have to sit him down and tell him to get his head around the fact he will be going nowhere this season.
If he is still determined to go after New Year put it in every paper in the world for a close season mayhem session to get the best price/deal that suits us.
This season he must stay we are already desperately short at the back and this South American guy........well .....unbelievable.
Steven Twine
586 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:20:39
Leaves a sour taste in your mouth all this. Grow some balls tell him he's going nowhere til next summer and it's 50 million end of. Replacement for me would be Jack Rodwell. And I would try to get him now!!
Lee Courtliff
587 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:21:22
So what if he wants to leave ?
You didn't really think he 'loved the club' , did you ?

He's from Barnsley. He's been here two and half years. He's never claimed to be a fan. He doesn't owe us anything.

We stand to make an absolute fortune on this deal.

It's the model we've followed for years. Granted, we could have done with more notice but a week should be enough to get a few players in. We all know what it's like on deadline day now.

Personally, I think he'd be better off staying here for another two years. But what do I know ? When I was 21 I still lived at home , shootin' it into toilet paper.

Iain Latchford
588 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:24:51
Nice one Colin. I'll smoke them in The Iron Lung before the Chelsea game.
Jamie Tulacz
589 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:28:28
Strange that the club haven't come out and said anything since Stones handed in his request (contrast with Berahino where WBA have rejected the request).

Leads me to believe that he may be on his way..

Tommy Meehan
590 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:32:51
Zac, pretty sure that the thousand barrier was breached before . . . if I remember rightly it regarded the apotheosis of Moyes
John Aldridge
591 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:33:28
The club never comes out and says anything officially. I reckon the boardroom has not been used for years (if we even have one, probably been sold off as Conference facilities).

This is Everton through and through - we find things out from the gutter press, not our "True Blue" chairman.

Mike Corcoran
592 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:34:50
40m plus Gary Cahill job done
Eugene Ruane
593 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:38:01
My agent is on the blower to Michael and Lyndon right now - basically demanding I'm given the 1000th post.

Just heard him say "Make your mind up fast, if he doesn't get it, we've had a great offer from Bluekipper"

(bollocks - knew I made a mistake making Elstone my agent)

Brent Stephens
594 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:39:35
Delicate negotiations - so let's tell all our fans the finest details of our transfer objectives and negotiating strategy. As if.
John Keating
595 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:40:18
Mike
I said the same earlier in the thread but also 50% of the sell on fee.
One day Abramovitch will go and Chelsea will return to their rightful place in the food chain.
If that happens whilst Stones is still there they'll sell him and we should get something
Zac Farbrother
596 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:40:25
Ah thanks Tommy! I missed all that whilst on holiday when all that happened!
Tony Draper
597 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:45:43
Colin @493

Perhaps you have something regarding the first 1k post award on TW.

However, given TW posters insistence on repeatedly getting our own players names wrong, I reckon that a commemorative collection of first team shirts be made avaialble:

Howerd (master of the treble save. "Nay, Nay, thrice nay !")
Robels (sidekick to 40's tearaway Adrolf Hilter)
Hibbot (Best man at Grand Alf's wedding, famously lost the wring)
Coalmen (terribly dirty player)
Jaligelka
Stownes
Braines (Currently dating Tracey Highland)
Ovideo (Irish TV Show presented by Hairy Hill)
Gibsen (wrote "Header Gambler)
Barrie (wrote the cook book "Peter's Pans")
MacCarthey (Songwriting partner with Lemon, on loan from Spurts last season)
Delfeluo
Bestich (grion irritation which legendary Man U player "Geordie The Beltfirst Boy" frequently suffered from)
McGreadey (minor role in the West End hit "Oiliver !")
Nasimth
Lukakulu (He's my baby)
Miralles
Krone (signed from Burg1664)
Clevely (likley to be best man at Braines wedding)
Barklay
Pineaar

Marintez

Kermight (Cousin of famous "Muppet Show" Character)

Iain Latchford
599 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:47:27
Brent, no one is asking for the details of the negotiations, if there are any at all. The press are widely reporting that he has handed in transfer request. We, the fans, are simply asking if the statement is true or false. Nothing more.
Tommy Meehan
600 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:52:14
It was highly entertaining Zac . . . pixel lava spewing everywhere
Brent Stephens
601 Posted 26/08/2015 at 15:58:22
Iain, I don't know but one possibility might be that Everton don't want any other club to know that he's handed in a TR. OR not want to acknowledge what Chelsea probably know so as to give themselves time to consider and decide how to react to the TR. OR they do know how to react but they don't want to be put under the pressure of the next question after "has he put in a TR?", which is "so what are you going to do?" OR having received this late TR from Stones, they are now in negotiations with him about it all, including the possibility of a new contract. OR etc etc.

Anyway, Bill is busy finding an investor at the moment, as ever.

Martin Mason
602 Posted 26/08/2015 at 16:01:01
How do we know that if Everton has decided to sell that they don't have a replacement lined up? They don't advertise their planning and it would be crazy to expect them to. If Stones goes I have money that a good replacement will be announced possibly on the last day.
Julian Wait
603 Posted 26/08/2015 at 16:01:40
Is it just me that finds the fact that we're playing Barnsley tonight more than a little ironic ....
Iain Latchford
604 Posted 26/08/2015 at 16:04:54
Bill is in his underground bunker thrashing out a takeover deal with NTL and the Sultan of Brunei. Come tomorrow money won't be an issue.
Jamie Tulacz
605 Posted 26/08/2015 at 16:05:24
And then Chelsea first match after the transfer window is over Julian (521)...
Phil Bellis
606 Posted 26/08/2015 at 16:09:28
Martin...Everton?... Planning? Priceless comedy, pal
Colin Glassar
607 Posted 26/08/2015 at 16:12:01
Brilliant post tony, lmao. It's all gone quiet on t'internet as Phil W might say. Silence is golden IMO.
Andy Finigan
608 Posted 26/08/2015 at 16:24:58
Apparently it is now being said that we have been trying to renegotiate a lower percentage of any sale to Barnsley for quite sometime.

If that is the case then we have been prepared to sell him from behind our manager's back .

So all who believe we should keep him including myself are going to be disappointed.I just hope we have not already reached an agreement of such a low offer if we feel the need to try and get more money out of Barnsley. If we do sell then 50 million and nothing less.
Tony Draper
609 Posted 26/08/2015 at 16:28:04
Colin, and indeed anyone.

For a proper laugh, just listen to the "blatant shit-stirring" antics on Talk-Shite with Adrian Durham and Barnsley born Barnsley bred stong-ith'arm-thick-inth'th'ead Darren Gough.

Dave Lynch
610 Posted 26/08/2015 at 16:37:36
Iain.

Bill will be in his bunker with his accountant thrashing out how he can best pay off the loans with the money.

Robert Elliott
611 Posted 26/08/2015 at 16:40:14
Yes Tony, just turned it off. Made me smile as always. If anyone thought Gough had half a brain he'd be making a living talking about the game he actually played whilst Durham is just a plank, full stop. I wouldn't take anything either of those two say seriously, or anyone else on Talkshite to be honest. Good for a laugh on the way home though!
Iain Latchford
612 Posted 26/08/2015 at 16:44:50
More than likely Dave, whilst also trying to think up a plausible explanation as to where all the cash went......"Sorry Bill, saying John Stones ran up huge debts with his addiction to Foxy Bingo just isn't going to wash".
William Cartwright
613 Posted 26/08/2015 at 16:45:41
Stones is acting in concert with the club requirements. The 'request for a transfer' has been 'leaked' to hte media in a very controlled way. nothing confirmed just the feeding frenzy that can't be controlled but can be manipulated. If Everton want to maximize the fee and feel they can let him go, then they will do so. Whether it is to Chelsea with just money, or Manure with money plus Evans it will be what suits the club and the player. The conspiracy theorist in me alsmost feels Everton are just getting their own back on Mourhino and playing mind games! Seriously, is there really a request to leave? if there isn't then it would be mighty interesting to see how this unfolds. Not least being the irresponsibility and bias of the BBC in going along with it all. The line up tonight against Barnsley will be interesting. So many sub-plots; would Chelsea be happy if Stones becomes cup tied? What is the risk of an injury on the situation, what is the dressing room feeling, how does Lukaku feel having been very vocal in his opinion, was it written thatwe play Barnsly tonight of all nights, why what will be the atmosphere when we next play Chelsea . . . will Roberto say sod the board and look for another project, why is the love and passion of my life even being considered as a fucking project anyway - projects are things schoolchildren do, wait a minute we're spending millions on kids anyway . . . . . endless fucking endless. What really pisses me off is the Missus. She says "I don't know why you bother, its only a football player . . . " I'm going back into the garden shed, my safe have, and I'm not coming out until midnight September 1st. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!!!!!!
Phil Rodgers
614 Posted 26/08/2015 at 16:45:49
Gough and Durham are absolute retards of the highest calibre. Fat bastard Martin Samuel has been slagging us off on twitter as well
Robert Elliott
615 Posted 26/08/2015 at 16:45:57
As evidence of Gough's level of intellect I read in the press once that his nickname when he was in the England cricket team was 'Rhino'. A young debutant asked him why they called him 'Rhino' and his response was 'It's because I'm as strong as an ox"!
Brian Harrison
616 Posted 26/08/2015 at 16:55:12
Am I the only one who thinks that our manager and chairman should have sat down with Stones when the first offer came in. They should have said we want you to stay but we need to hear what you want, then if Stones had said I want to go to Chelsea. The chairman rings Bruce Buck and says we will sell you Stones for £xxx and we want the deal concluded within a time scale which would have allowed us to replace him and add 2 or 3 more players.
Everybody knew that Chelsea would come back with more money, but we now have waited till 4/5 days before the window shuts and the wise money says Stones will move to Chelsea before the window closes.
Brian Williams
617 Posted 26/08/2015 at 17:03:33
Look for fucks sake!!
We all had an ining that Stones qould go NEXT season after Chelsea came in for him didnt we?
We sort of accepted that.
Well all the club has to do is stick with that idea.
Dont let him go until next season.
For once I think the club, not the player, has the upper hand here.
Richard Reeves
618 Posted 26/08/2015 at 17:03:40
Brian (#538) Good point but that would leave enough time for people to question why none of the TV money has been spent. Still, those questions should be raised after the window closes whilst campaigning for Kenwright to go.
Phil Walling
619 Posted 26/08/2015 at 17:04:31
Zac, I do believe a Tony Marsh thread once broke through the 1000 barrier in the cause of getting Moyes sacked. Doddy came near it in defence of his hero. In those days I was working and had put a bar on personal use of the internet so never got into the fun of it all !
Ged Simpson
620 Posted 26/08/2015 at 17:32:00
If we keep him now we would be just plain stupid. As we resign Rodwell and Gosling I am sure the whole football world will say "Well done Everton for standing up to Cheslea" and then stuff us 3-0.
Tony Waring
621 Posted 26/08/2015 at 17:37:37
I may be pissing in the wind (i.e. hopelessly optimistic) but I have yet to see an authenticated statement from club or player that a transfer request has been made. Could this all be media hype ? Please can someone, anyone, put my mind at rest ?
Ged Simpson
622 Posted 26/08/2015 at 17:42:39
If he has...sell him and use the money. If he hasn't , cheer him like mad. But I am now losing the will to live and really don't care if he sods off anymore. I just want to watch football and leave all this media/money shit behind. Otherwise they've hooked me too.
Gavin Johnson
623 Posted 26/08/2015 at 17:59:20
Papers are now suggesting United will come in with an offer of Phil Jones and cash. I think Stones is as good as gone with this transfer request so I'm hoping this rumours true. Jones is still young and a solid ready made replacement who can slot into multiple positions. While I prefer Van Dijk, but at this stage we need someone who knows the league and can hit the ground running.

Well, this is a first I never thought I'd see the day when I'd want United to sign one of our best players. If they do want Stones, I don't think he'll hesitate about which club he'll move to.

Nick Page
624 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:02:09
I have it on good authority (someone from the buying club) that this was all sorted end of last season. Price was said to be £40m.

The player told someone at another club (in Scotland). That person didn’t believe it at first. So, has this whole thing been a show put on by the club to paint the player in a poor light and poor old EFC as the victims? I don’t know what to believe anymore.

Anyway, let’s see but if the price is close £40m; then it’s a distinct possibility. It would also tie in with rumours of EFC trying to renegotiate the sell-on fee with Barnsley for a good while.

Tom Martin
625 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:04:08
Remember Jelavic?

There is no way we should have let him go at the time but our chivalrous manager sold him on account of helping the lad gain a world cup place. By his own admission he put the player's wishes ahead of the club's.

A very kind thing to do... remembering It did make my heart sink though, with regard to this situation.

I really hope we make a stand on this. It will be better for us and stones I believe.

Ged Simpson
626 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:07:04
"Jelavic was still (Hull) City’s top scorer in the 2014-15 campaign with eight goals."
Brian Williams
627 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:07:10
Ged Simpson explain why we would be plain stupid to keep him?
Quite the opposite is true. No time to get proper replacements. Team totally umsettled.
Can't see why you reckon we'd be stupid to keep him.
Colin Glassar
628 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:08:53
Yesterday Phil Mcnulty got annoyed with me when I asked him for proof, he just said "I do. Do you have proof he hasn't?". He like all the others haven't produced any proof at all, they are all going on what sky said.

I'm not saying JS hasn't asked for a move but until I see it on the OS I remain hopeful.

Ged Simpson
629 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:11:25
I reckon replacements are sorted already....I think this has been planned or at least catered for. And I think, despite what we dream of or have memories of, we need the money and could make us more successful with that money than with Stones.. As for his price rising and rising...that is by no means certain.

And I don''t think he is as good as we have all been whipped up into thinking.

And ...no player bigger than the club.

And finally....because I am now bored with the whole fucking thing...as I am with PL

Colin Glassar
630 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:13:02
He's in the squad for tonight's game, Wanyama (southampton) isn't? Read into that what you want
Ged Simpson
631 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:14:19
Jesus Colin...that sums up modern journalism so well.

"Aliens Land In Tuebrook"

You sure ?

Sure they haven't ?

John Audsley
632 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:15:27
It should have been catered for Ged, surely RM and the board new he wanted to go a while ago.

Well, let's see what happens.

Nothing else to see here until the truth comes out.

Ged Simpson
633 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:16:34
True John....just hopelessly optimistic
Tony Draper
634 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:19:47
John Stones has a contract with Everton, both parties know exactly what it says and what he is entitled to and therefore what we are committed to for it's duration.

Everton haven't treated the lad badly, he get's paid on time (bonuses included).

John Stones hasn't treated Everton badly, he turns up on time, trains when & as required, has played with class, has said not one word regarding this matter to any external source. Neither has his agent, (aka his Dad), nothing.

Chelsea have commented via John Terry & Garry Cahill. Jose Mourinho made some clever arsed remarks about a closed/open/open/closed transfer window.
Chelsea have apparently made 3 bids (£20M, £26M, £30M).

Prior to any of the three Chelsea bids, they made some enquiry which prompted Everton to respond with a written response indicating that they should not make any offers for John Stones because he is under contract with Everton.

Everton hold many contracts of professional footballers and are entitled to make any or none negotiations during that period. ANY.

Everton may choose to disclose or not disclose their reasons or valuations, terms and conditions regarding any of the player contracts prior to, during, after or never with regard to approaches, offers, bids or requests to leave.

At the end of the day, us lot on TW know almost fuck all about the contracts of professional footballers and how they are traded. That makes us almost identical to every single football fan across the globe.

But in our midst there will always be "Hystericals" demanding to know every minute detail of every second of every discussion. Well the reason that you (and the rest of us) are not advised momentarily is because we don't own the right to. Furthermore, if Everton did decide to hand one of us the information, 99% couldn't make head nor tail of just WTF they were in possession of.

If you really want that level of information, go and buy out the people who currently own those rights. Otherwise, just wait and find out but please, please, please, keep you feeble minded "poker night" negotiation advice to yourselves

Here's an example:
You own a car, do you permanently have a for sale sign in the back window ?
If you did, would you expect to finally be paid more or less than the full asking price ?

IF you wrote down on a piece of paper the final breakheart price that you really would let your car go for and slid it to an interested buyer, you reckon they would offer more or less than your secret figure ?

Put it another way, IF you knew just how high a budget Chelsea have to purchase John Stones, would you want 50%, 75%, 100% or the footballers favourite 110% ?

Sam Hoare
635 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:21:45
Phil Jones anyone? Hardly aspirational but a solid pro who knows the league and is still very young for a CB.

I'd take £30m + jones from United over £40m from Chelsea....

Ged Simpson
636 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:22:26
Tony Draper - absolutely bang on.
Ian Robert
637 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:22:39
Why the hell is there nowt on the club website regarding the Stones transfer request?? Or am I missing something??
Colin Glassar
638 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:22:59
Good article in the Telegraph. Journo saying basically, fantastic offer for a fantastic player but, what message does it send to the other young players about where Everton are heading? Also, as has been said on here, we don't have to sell him or bow down to his wishes.
Paul Andrews
639 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:24:43
As the late great BB King sang:

"Fool me once shame on you.Fool me twice shame on me."

A song that should be considered as an anthem for us Evertonians.
The amount of times this transfer window scenario has occurred over the last 10 years, it surprises me our fans still accept it.

The transfer will drag out until over the weekend (possibly Monday). A statement will come from the board "we were left with no time to conclude the signings we attempted"...
Gary Mortimer
640 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:25:39
I posted a comment (or so I thought) on the official club website asking why there is no official announcement of the transfer request.

Afetr 10 minutes of "you comment is being moderated" the page "reset" to "Add a comment" with no trace of my question at all.

How naive of me . . . expecting the club to tell the fans what's happening.

Ian McDowell
641 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:30:02
Stones should start tonight and the team should be at full strength.
Stephen Brown
642 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:31:33
How many of these fair weather Chelsea fans have seen JS play?

How many could pick him out in a police type line up?

Phil Walling
643 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:39:45
Come on Colin is it really the end of Everton's world if this guy goes elsewhere ? Given say £20 M to spend, I suspect even the Sams and Harrys of this world could go a long way to 'covering the damage'. This bloke looks only for Wiganesque quality.

As it is, you and your followers are either in denial that Stones could possibly wish to leave our club - average outfit that it is these days- or you are predicting his loss would be a disaster.

It's how the game works, mate, somebody pays us good money to buy our talent and we break some other speccies' hearts by pinching theirs.
Get over it, he's only a bloody centre-half not a superstar goalscorer !

Tony Draper
644 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:40:24
Gary @569.

Good. you have absolutely no right whatever to access to the terms and conditions of John Stones employment with Everton FC, none.

Do you email John and cc Roberto & Robert & Bill when you turn down weekend overtime or file your expenses claims ?

Regardless of being the most talked about footballer in British game at the moment, he has precisely the same individual rights as any other employed person under UK Law. (OK, I reckon that despite being 21 he probably gets a shade more that the minimum wage. Probably)

Dave Pritchard
645 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:40:54
Ian, (570) I doubt that either of your 'shoulds' will happen. I would be amazed to see Stones start and with Spurs on Saturday I think we will make lots of changes. My 'should' is that we should be good enough to win even with a weaker team. Recent history suggests otherwise though.
Gerry Quinn
646 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:45:05
IT'S OFFICIAL FROM THE EVERTON FC WEBSITE....


Box Office is shut Sunday and Monday

Colin Glassar
647 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:49:23
So if it was up to you, and your fatalistic vision, Phil we should call ourselves Everton DC? DC for Development Club.

Following your logic Phil, if Lukaku scores 30 goals this season we should just bend over next summer when any Tom, Dick or Harry comes knocking on our door with with a fabulous £20m plus offer? Jesus wept Phil.

Colin Glassar
648 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:51:27
He's starting Dave. Sky are gutted!!
Ged Simpson
649 Posted 26/08/2015 at 18:56:24
God knows what that means that he is playing.

Sore head now

Brian Hennessy
650 Posted 26/08/2015 at 19:00:54
These BBC hacks are unbelievable, big headline
Everton defender John Stones "won't be fazed" by moving to Chelsea

Reading on the comment is attributed to "Barnsley academy coach Ronnie Branson,"

Oh how I just wish we spoil the party and keep him!

Brent Stephens
651 Posted 26/08/2015 at 19:03:16
Gerry #581 "IT'S OFFICIAL FROM THE EVERTON FC WEBSITE....
Box Office is shut Sunday and Monday."

So the secret is out, at long last! So disappointed. Didn't see that coming. Is there any Plan B, Gerry?

John Atkins
652 Posted 26/08/2015 at 19:10:31
Hear hear Colin !
Colin Glassar
653 Posted 26/08/2015 at 19:14:59
Brian, almost every headline used by the media, re Stones, is misleading. You read the article and it's usually just refried garbage from days ago.
Dave Pritchard
654 Posted 26/08/2015 at 19:17:32
Colin (583), I am indeed amazed. Very interesting.
Chris Wilson
655 Posted 26/08/2015 at 19:23:18
Well, I would think we might get some clarity on this whole thing in 2-3 hours yes? I'm assuming there will be a post match interview with Roberto, and you got to figure there will be one specific question asked...possibly regarding a transfer request. It will be very interesting to see and hear the answer. It will give all amateur "body language readers" and "facial response experts "plenty to digest.
James Stewart
656 Posted 26/08/2015 at 19:23:50
Ciaran is spot on. Kenwright production written all over it.

Club state not for sale, in private a different story so Chelsea keep bidding.

Club tell Stones he will get his move but needs to submit transfer request.

Club state no choice but to get best deal for Everton blah blah.

End of window looms and no chance to reinvest much of it £.

Written, Directed and Starring BK and cronies.

Tony Draper
657 Posted 26/08/2015 at 19:30:03
Gerry @581, thanks for the update.

"Box Office is shut Sunday and Monday".

What fucking choice did that leave Stones ???
No wonder that sneaky bastard Mourinho subbed JT then, obviously they have paid off our admin dept to undermine us.

Have to be honest, I never saw that one coming. Gutted.

Andy Crooks
658 Posted 26/08/2015 at 19:41:43
Vijay, way back @ #303. I expect in a number of yesrs that Stones will become a great defender. Right now,I believe that Evans is a superior, more reliable defender.

Northern Ireland have a series of important games coming and I would rather have Evans playing instead of Stones by some distance. As John Daley said, Everton should be in the driving seat( para-phrasing, John) have a chance to demonstrate some leadership.

Michael Polley
659 Posted 26/08/2015 at 19:44:27
It would be suicidal to let him go now. We don't have sufficient cover, and to get someone half decent in at this late stage is highly unlikely.
Plus it would make RM look like a clown who has insisted on along that Stones is not for sale

Keep him for another season, and then sell for 50 mil

Christy Ring
660 Posted 26/08/2015 at 19:49:05
Kenwright and the board are a fucking disgrace. We have spent £4m this summer. For the last week Martinez has been trying to buy 2 unknown South Americans, 1 a striker in a mickey mouse league for 500k, while Palace and West Bromwich are trying to buy a premier striker, Charlie Austin. It's a fucking joke.
Now with the Stones rumours, which EFC haven't the decency to tell us if it's true or not, is an insult to the fans who have supported this club through good and bad.
This shows us how much Bill Kenwright really loves our club. NSNO
Keith Monaghan
661 Posted 26/08/2015 at 19:50:02
To those who think Evans or Phil Jones fit the bill, I live in S.Manchester and can assure you that most MU fans think JE is useless and PJ a clumsy, injury-prone over-rated ox - like me, they don't understand how he gets anywhere near the MU team never mind the England squad. The only sensible option for this season is to keep John Stones - the best statement our club could make right now.
Mike Berry
662 Posted 26/08/2015 at 19:55:09
Take the money and run (40mil), make a formal complaint about Cahill and Terry tapping him up. Then go for Shawcross
Gavin Johnson
663 Posted 26/08/2015 at 20:01:34
Keith - agreed it would be a big statement, but what kind of crowd reaction is Stones going to get at Goodison now he wants out. Goodison can be a pretty unforgiving place when players have made rumblings about leaving the club.
Stephen Brown
664 Posted 26/08/2015 at 20:14:09
Partly responsible for another goal! Mike Berry could be correct!!
Keith Harrison
665 Posted 26/08/2015 at 20:38:14
Stones has already left on tonight's non-performance. Lescott v Arsenal.
Danny Halsall
666 Posted 26/08/2015 at 22:30:28
Fair do's to Roberto there. Fuck off Chelsea he is NOT for sale!!
Ian Cowhig
667 Posted 26/08/2015 at 22:39:54
Keith (#600)
Is that a joke?
I didn't see Stones not trying. Seen him make the odd mistake, which we know he is prone to. But I thought his attitude was as it always is. Professional.
Nigel Gregson
669 Posted 26/08/2015 at 22:49:31
The key reason why we shouldn't sell him is because he'll be worth 60m in two years. THEN we can sell and buy a bloody stadium.
Brent Stephens
670 Posted 26/08/2015 at 22:52:27
He's NOT for sale. Roberto tonight.
Colin Glassar
671 Posted 26/08/2015 at 22:58:55
Not for sale!! Capisce Jose? Not for sale.
Gordon Crawford
672 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:00:21
That was not convincing from Roberto, just look at his face when he says not for sale. I believe he will be gone, this window.
Colin Glassar
673 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:02:18
We'll know by Tuesday Gordon but I saw an angry John Stones and an angry Roberto Martinez. You have one reading I have another.
Andy Crooks
674 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:02:19
Keith# 596, unlike you I cannot speak for"most" MU fans. I know a few who rate both players. However, we can only go by what we see. I have seen quite a bit of Evans and I think he would be a good signing for Everton, ideally along side a settled Stones.
Colin Glassar
675 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:06:50
So far, not one of the major media outlets have mentioned the 'Not For Sale' statement by Roberto. They must be scrambling to come up with an interpretation of this. Jose will be working the phones right now.
Nigel Gregson
676 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:09:16
CG I missed the game. Did Roberto really make such a strong absolute statement ? He never does that usually ...
Mike Green
677 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:11:20
Doesn't fit their agenda though does it Colin. I loved what Martinez said after the game but he looked right at the interviewer when talking about the game and mostly at his shoes when talking about Stones.
Chad Schofield
678 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:14:26
"Roberto Martinez confirms he will reject John Stones's transfer request in the morning. 'Today was a match day, the game was more important'"

Official line on Twitter

Colin Glassar
679 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:17:28
Yes Nigel, he was seething and very emphatic that Stonesy is a major part of our future and isn't for sale at any price.

I have been asking Oliver Kay (Times) if Stonesy really did put in a transfer request (he broke the story) and the fucker won't answer me. Mcnulty the same. Yesterday they were all high and mighty and today not a peep!!

Chris Wilson
680 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:19:01
Sky Sports mentions it. Saw a link on Newsnow. I'm sure they want Stones to go, but they also love the drama that is being played out right now. Especially if it comes down to deadline day.
Colin Glassar
681 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:19:51
Mike, I think he was so angry that he almost ran away at the end. I thought he was going to do a Fergie and ask him, "are you fucking stupid?"
Mike Green
682 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:25:31
Perhaps right Colin, looked like a man choosing his words carefully if nothing else. He's right about the FA though, how someone doesn't get done for this is ludicrous.
John Crawley
683 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:27:57
I'm with Colin on this - Bobby was extremely well spoken and he did Everton proud. He also implied with his we'll look after John comment that the agent might need to move on! I wanted Martinez gone in the summer but you have to take your hat off to him for the way he's handled this.
Paul Thompson
684 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:28:18
Do you know what was even better about the Martinez interview - 'sometimes in football and in life money can't buy everything'. Though I won't be suicidal if ones goes, I would love for us to show that the statement can occasionally be true.
Colin Glassar
685 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:35:42
I now feel a lot more confident that Stonesy will still be an Everton player this time next week. The media won't give up but I think Chelsea will. Apparently, they are going to make a £32m bid with 5m in add ons. Too little, too late IMO.
Andy Crooks
686 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:42:02
I tbought that Roberto was thoroughly impressive and unequivocal. I doubt that he would stay if he was undermined after that.
Gordon Crawford
687 Posted 26/08/2015 at 23:54:58
I do hope that he does stay. And I hope we can build a smashing team, because the potential is really there.
Richard Reeves
688 Posted 26/08/2015 at 00:01:14
It’s interesting how some people see the same thing totally different; I thought Martinez looked a bit angry and let down by people who have brought things to the situation of Stones having his head turned or if putting in a transfer request has been a fabrication. He looked determined and honest to me.
Colin Glassar
689 Posted 27/08/2015 at 00:39:52
R.I.P to a very good thread. Almost got to 1000 posts.
Ian Cowhig
690 Posted 27/08/2015 at 05:43:33
Don't remember Martinez saying he was rejecting transfer request in the morning in the after match interview.
As far as I remember it, RM didn't even acknowledge that a request had been made or not.
Was there another interview afterwards that he said it?
I remember two statements that are in the posts above clearly.
Tim Locke
691 Posted 27/08/2015 at 12:47:54
Colin - I wouldn't give up just yet....only another 480 posts needed.

Ian - I agree; SSP1 inetreview it was never mentioned. In fact I have seen or heard nothing from the club about the trasfer request. Although every media outlet is stating he has handed one in. Maybe I missed something.

It would seem clear Stones still is willing to play for us, and given the stance the team have taken he is not going to be sold, so the rumors might go on but I can't see this having legs. How would big balls bobby explain selling him now? If the board sell him, Bobby would have to leave too, you cant stay in a club which the board doesnt back you when you need it.

I would like to see a new contract given to Stones, 6 years plus and job done

Keith Monaghan
692 Posted 27/08/2015 at 16:14:08
Regarding the window closing before the season starts I totally agree. However, I’m not convinced it’s the FA that’s the problem.

I suspect the all powerful EPL lead by that arrogant article Scudamore is the real problem. The same EPL that’s been the major factor in the decline of the England team during the last 20 years by allowing our game to be flooded with foreigners, both in 1st team squads & academies.

All he cares about is the EPL brand and drawing in megabucks for loads of croanies and hangers on like Shearer & Gary Neville.

Tony Draper
693 Posted 27/08/2015 at 19:02:56
It's clear that the transfer window should not overlap the EPL season.

But also, no club is allowed to have more than 4 on loan players in their squad. So why allow clubs unlimited players loaned out "another Premier League Club" currently have 26 players out on loan.

I'd suggest that EPL clubs should be allowed to include 4 on loan players, but a higher limit for Championship Clubs and League One Clubs allowed even more etc.

But so far as loaning out players the limit should be perhaps only 8. That way the monopolisation of talent (which they do not develop) would be spread around less cash rich clubs. Then when the moneybags come knocking there would be income for English Clubs keeping the money in the English system.

Colin Glassar
694 Posted 27/08/2015 at 19:27:53
The transfer window should be from 15th of May till August 15th That gives everyone three months to get their work done, plenty of time IMO. I think the January window should stay open but only for two weeks. Sky wouldn't be happy but the clubs would, I think.

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