Stones joins Manchester City for £47.5m

, 9 August, 210comments  |  Jump to most recent
John Stones became the world's second most expensive defender today when he completed his much-vaunted move from Everton to Manchester City.

The 22-year-old signed a six-year contract with the Manchester side after the two clubs agreed a fee that is slightly below the fee paid to Chelsea by Paris Saint Germain for David Luiz but includes appearance-related add-ons that could total £50m.

Stones, whom the Blues signed from Barnsley in January 2014 for a reported £3m, has quickly risen to become one of the most sought-after defenders in the country in his relatively short time at Goodison Park.

He was blooded by former manager Roberto Martinez, who gave him early opportunities to demonstrate his precocious talents and he was a first-choice regular by the Catalan's second season in charge. By the start of last season, Everton were having to fend of successive bids by Chelsea to sign him but the club stood firm through a desire to keep the team Marttinez was assembling together.

While he would struggle for form last term, rivals clubs continued to Stones's abilities and talk of a switch to the Etihad Stadium has been a constant theme of the current close season. The player himself is believed to have informed Everton after the European Championships of his desire to move to City to play under their new manager, Pep Guardiola.

Everton were believed to be holding out for a £50m fee but eventually settled on a compromise that will net the club in the region of £40m up front once Barnsley's clause to net 15% of the Toffees' sell-on profits is taken into account.

"It's 110% the right decision to come and play under [Guardiola]," Stones said of his move which was ratified just before the 11am deadline for Champions League squads.

“I know it will be tough getting a place in this team but I'm determined to become the best player I can be and help us to success,” Stones said.

“I had a wonderful time with Everton and wish them and their fans all the best but now I'll give my all for City.”

"It's a new chapter for me and an exciting time for City. I've been following pre-season and hopefully we can hit the ground running"

Stones added a personal message on Instagram later in the day where he thanked Everton his time on Merseyside:

I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone connected to Everton for their help and support during my time at the club and wish them all the best.

I would like to say special thanks to the Chairman, fans and also all of my teammates. Thanks for everything lads and miss you all!

Ross Barkley posted a message to his Instagram page the day after Stones had said his goodbyes at Finch Farm yesterday: "Gutted to see my mate leave today, going to miss him around the place and on the pitch. All the best lad.”

Quotes or other material sourced from BBC



Reader Comments (210)

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Conor Skelly
4 Posted 09/08/2016 at 15:37:20
Best thing for us short term. Williams and Kone will give Koeman a solid base on which to steady a shakey ship. Good deal all round and I for one am happy to see the back of him.
Guy Hastings
5 Posted 09/08/2016 at 15:43:30
£47.5m for him, Williams for £12m - that gives us £35.5m to spend on a new stadium designed by Mary Berry and made of frosted meringue with a green marzipan pitch. A bit more realistic than £18m for Bolassie.
Tony Smith
6 Posted 09/08/2016 at 15:44:20
Totally agree, Connor, for all of his promise, we need a solid defender now. I for one am sick of the continual aggressive hounding of Everton to move Stones to one of the Sky darlings and am glad to wave him goodbye.

He cost us many goals last season and continually showed in his body language that he had no affinity for the club or fans and would rather play anywhere else. His asking to come off during the humiliation at Anfield was one of the most cowardly things I have seen from an Everton player.

Ged Simpson
7 Posted 09/08/2016 at 15:50:28
Great business. Williams will add some spine to our side and should be captain on the pitch.
Ste Wallace
8 Posted 09/08/2016 at 15:54:26
I agree with the posts, John Stones wasn't at the races last season, but in fairness neither were most of the players. I'm glad he's gone now. Williams is a very able replacement; Mata and another striker, keeper and right back as cover please.
Adrian Lambert
9 Posted 09/08/2016 at 15:54:37
Thank god that's over. A talented player but prone to way too many clangers.

I love the idea of Williams and Kone at the heart of our defence. Koeman is doing exactly the right thing in re-building the spine of the team with quality players with heart and ability. Gueye in midfield looks like great business. We'll have Hart too and once Rom's gone (please let that soap opera end soon too) we'll have Bony and Remy up front please.

This is a transitional season for us. I have every faith we'll be a top team in 2017-18. We need patience to let the manager and Steve Walsh get on and do their jobs.

Jay Harris
10 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:01:56
Same sentiments here why keep a player who quite obviously didn't want to be here after Mourhino turned his head and Joe Hart told him how wonderful Man City were.

I certainly wont miss his erratic defending and unrest in the dressing room. Good value for us and part of the rebuilding that needs to be done.

James Watts
11 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:03:21
Woo hoo! Finally found our mythical war chest. Buried underneath a pile of stones and not at the end of the rainbow afterall.
Peter Gorman
12 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:09:50
One step backwards to catapult us many more forwards.

Mata alone would leave me satisfied, we'll have 3 or more solid pros in with change.

Or, of course, we won't and TW can justifiably go apoplectic.

Rahul Sreekumar
13 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:09:50
No! I was always in the minority of TW voters wanting him to stay. If nothing else, just for the fact that he did pre-season with us and that it's too close to season start. And of course, that thing about his limitless(?) potential...

And logic dictates that Guardiola's guide was Koeman, so Stones would've had better guidance under Koeman...

None of this changes the fact that I'm so sad right now.

Iain Johnston
14 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:10:35
Swansea agree £12m for Williams...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37024172

Alex Jones
15 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:12:01
Rebuilding ha don't make me laugh. Sticking a cork in a sinking ship is not rebuilding. Neither is signing old cart horses.

I'm utterly bemused by what's happening at Everton. Worst window ever and it was supposed to be the best.

Mike Hughes
16 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:14:32
Barnsley get something like £7.5m based on the sell-on fee I think.
That makes a profit of around £36.5m for a player who may or may not make the grade at City. I'm not entirely convinced by Stones.

More importantly, I don't think his heart was in it here due to his head being turned.

A good deal for us in my opinion.

Rather than 'one for the future' I'd prefer our investments to hit the ground running - i.e. Williams from Swansea. Two or three more of those combined with what we have being coached more pragmatically should hopefully see us top 7 this season.


James Stewart
17 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:14:53
Sold cheap. £47.5m is less than the Sterling deal and that was before the market imploded. Pogba and HIguain should have been the benchmarks. The fee looks even worse considering £7.5m went straight to Barnsley.

I don't blame Stones at all for wanting out we have not shown any ambition. Had we signed the likes of Witsel, Williams, Milik, Mane quickly before any exits the mood would have been very different around the club. I highly doubt we will have a net spend at all which would raise massive questions as to what is going on behind the scenes.

Denis Richardson
18 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:15:27
About frigging to me!

Been in the cards for three months!

Pete Edwards
19 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:20:50
Alex, would you really want to keep a player who has wanted away and been responsible for conceding more goals (by mistakes) than any other single player in the league for the last 12 months?!?!

Like it or not, football is a business and we have sold a player who wanted to go who we bought for £3m for £47.5m — thats forty-seven and a half million pounds!!

We need defenders who can defend now, not in 1 or 2 seasons time... Once we have that and we make progress in league placings, then we can and probably would have to go out and sign £40m + players but right now those types or that quality doesn't want to know; this is Martinez's doing on the whole.

Good deal all around in my eyes. Stones will not improve their shaky defence but by selling him gives us the perfect chance to improve ours!

James Hughes
20 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:21:00
Good money for a player who wanted to leave and I will be sorry he's gone as he is the best defender on the ball I have seen for many a year. He wanted to go and we made lots of money from his short stay so thanks John you have made a big contribution to us in more ways than one.

I haven't understood the posters on here wishing him gone. This was a young defender who played for a manager who didn't practice set pieces or believe in winning 1-0. So we never got to see if he would throw his body on line blocking etc..

Carl Sanderson
21 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:21:11
Extremely disappointed to see him go, but it will be a good deal for us, if - IF - we use the money well.
Jack Convery
22 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:21:15
When Alan Ball left Goodison my Dad said it was his worst day as an Evertonian. I now know what that feels like – absolutely appalled at this decision to let him go. He will be world class, I have no doubt about that and City will benefit a lot more than the fee they have paid for him. He will end up in Spain for over £100m.

Last season is not a season to judge Stones on – they were all crap – Goodison was on pins because of RM and is ineptitude to manage at this level. Jags and Baines were England internationals when that idiot took over, now they are behind Smalling and Rose !!!! The effects of RM will be felt for some time to come.

Selling Stones only makes sense if the £100m we are supposed to have does not actually exist. The £40m we get will pay the £1m for Stekelenburg, £7m for Agueye, £12m for Williams, £18m for Kone and leaves £12m for one more. We still need a goalkeeper and a Striker and you cant get two class players, which is what we need for that sort of money – ffs Niasse cost £13m.

This is EFC all over. Selling the best we have and I thought we'd stopped doing that – gutted gutted gutted.

Moshiri show us the money!! I for one would dearly welcome it.

Ciarán McGlone
23 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:21:44
Will make a great defensive midfielder eventually... But his head was turned and he is best out.

However, we're rightly left scratching our heads at our lack of progress this summer.

This could be Kenwright's biggest con job yet!

Karl Jones
25 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:27:51
Typical Everton ...Sell big to buy small. I fully expect Lukaku to be on his way to Chelsea within the next few days. Nothing has changed. Is Moshiri a new Peter Johnson?

All we have is empty promises so far. So glad I didnt renew my Season Ticket as all I can see is a season of discontent and fighting relegation ahead.

Ian Horan
26 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:27:53
Suprised at the negative comets on this. Barnsley's 15% was based on any profit EFC made — not the full transfer fee. So the 15% is off the £44.50 mill; Barnsley's share is £6.75 mill. A fair deal all round. At least it didn't include Bony which is a huge bonus in itself.
Craig Walker
27 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:29:11
He was great on the ball at Anfield when he passed straight to them and gifted 'em their 3rd. Good riddance. It was like he was playing for City in the semi final already. Or did he have an upset stomach?
Steve Guy
28 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:31:12
Jack @22. Alan Ball should never be mentioned in the same sentence as John Stones. No comparison on ANY level. Understand the disappointment, but come on!
Hugh Jenkins
29 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:33:09
Stones was good, but, dare I say it? I think Holgate will be better.
David Chait
30 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:34:12
If we end up only spending this money then it's been a typical Everton summer.. I'm not writing it off yet.

For me we need to splash the cash on a creative midfield source. As Peter above Mata would give me something to smile about in terms of player personnel.. But blow as much as possible to feed Lukaku.. And keep Lukaku.

Fran Mitchell
31 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:35:02
Why will Holgate be better Hugh? That would be great but what is this based on? On in the end, why does it matter? We'll just end up selling him to Man Utd in 2 years if he's any good.
Mark Frere
33 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:38:28
Doesn't say anything about Stones putting in a transfer request... so I take it he gets a slice of the fee as well As Barnsley. he should've been made to put in a transfer request if he wanted to leave. All this loyalty bonus malarkey when footballers are paid obscene amounts nowadays should be done away with!
James Hughes
34 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:39:08
You're right Craig, Pep G must be a mug plus Jose M tried to get him lasts season on the cheap, they must know fuck all. I mean what have they won compared to vast football expertise available on here!!

Raymond Fox
35 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:39:14
He was a liability in defence last season, there's no way I would fancy him starting in our defence. Oh, he looks nice going forward alright but he's a central defender!

£47.5m, we have the best of the transaction, cant be good for a teams moral when he wanted away early doors last season.

Dave Williams
36 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:40:04
Steve (#28) spot on – like comparing a donkey to Nijinsky.

We have sold a very promising footballer but we haven't sold a centre half; maybe he will become one but not at this point.

We will be much more solid with Williams and his leadership will be worth the fee on its own.

Kone for Jags plus cash works for me too; get rid of those too used to losing especially at RS and get some blood and guts into the team.

Fran Mitchell
37 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:40:08
By the looks of it, come September we will have bought 2 defenders decent but nit great having sold our best one.

Then we will probably have sold our best striker in 25 years and replaced him with some 'decent, good enough' striker.

Maybe with the proceeds we'll sign a couple more decent, not great, players.

We'll have a net profit and fans will claim accountancy is more important than football.

Beginning to think Moshiri wanted a manager with experience of getting through a wholesale without crumbling nor complaining, rather than offering a manager the chance to make the next step.

Everton, from the people's club to the sellers club.

Alan McMillan
38 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:41:05
His pre-season form was a continuation of what we saw last term – at least 2 mistakes in him every match. His heart does not belong at this club, pimping himself out to the likes of Chelsea and City.

The lad is 23; at this age, and for that price, he'd want to be more than just potential. Williams on the other hand is in his prime; 3 or 4 more seasons at the top left in him. Great piece of business. Just think what Mason Holgate will learn from him and Koeman.

Tamhas Woods
39 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:41:19
Guy (#5) - The way Stones played at times last season, you'd have thought we WERE playing on marzipan.

Good riddance to the lazy git. Not even worth half of £47.5M – we've done City big time here.

Eugene Ruane
40 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:41:30
Jack (22) - Losing Stones for you is like losing Alan Ball was for your dad?

Link

William Cartwright
41 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:41:34
James @20,

Simple, straight to the point, well balanced and 100% correct.

Richard Reeves
42 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:41:54
Disappointing but inevitable.

He's a good lad and I think will be a great player. He has been nothing but respectful to the club in his silence and trying his best during the past year since he put in his transfer request. Best of luck to him (except against us).

Hugh Jenkins
43 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:45:35
Fran (31) – because Koeman is acknowledged as being one of the best CB's the world has seen. He has seen both Stones and Holgate play in pre-season and in training and has elevated Holgate to the first team squad, at a younger age than Stones was introduced to the first team squad (admittedly under a different manager).

I have no inside information nor anything other than this to base my opinion on.

I believe that if Koeman thought that there was no one within the club that would grow into the role originally earmarked for Stones, he may well have put up more of a fight and an effort to keep him.

However, having seen both Stones and Holgate play in pre-season and on the training ground, he has elevated Holgate to the first team squad and agreed to let Stones go.

Michael Kenrick
44 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:45:36
Another very sad day for Everton as we say goodbye to a tremendous player – someone who could have become a star leading us forward to a new era.

Instead, it confirms (as if it was needed) that, despite all the hope (more like hype) surrounding Moshiri's arrival, Everton are as far away as ever from re-establishing themselves among the leading clubs in top-flight English football.

Nothing will be the same... indeed.

Fran Mitchell
45 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:46:19
What Everton have sold is one of the most promising defenders in world football.

In the meantime we have a few quid to spend on some players who will be 'decent, ok, good enough, solid'.

When we got a new investor the thought was 'we would make the step up'. Keep our best players and add to them.

Well, so far we have replaced Howard with a similarly weak goalkeeper. Sold our best defender, will probably sell our best striker and signed a defensive midfielder.

In the meantime fans start celebrating our current account as if they are all accountants. Football is shit.

Mike Gaynes
47 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:47:59
Jack (#22), I don't really understand your grief. The lad couldn't even keep his place for us last season, because for all his talent and pace he's just not that good defensively. He marks poorly and isn't physical enough to win anything in the air... Jags wins far more headers and he's five inches shorter.

We've done a fine bit of business today. City are going to find they've overpaid because, without the addition of a bit of steel and a whole lot of muscle, Stones will never be a world-class central defender. I'd guess he'll eventually find his place as a deep-lying midfielder.

Andrew Presly
48 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:51:12
Small-time Everton yet again. Very very sad.
David McKee
49 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:52:12
Will he be behind Jack Rodwell at Sunderland in 2 years... playing for Moyesie?
Micky Norman
50 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:52:25
Forgetting the money, if we sign Williams, as is being reported now, we'll be a much better team. Maybe that's what Koeman is being paid to produce.
Winston Williamson
51 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:53:19
To me it's all about chemistry.

As good as Stones is and may develop into I have been concerned about the overall chemistry at the club.

This cannot be helped with instability, players not committed and a constant cycle of will he stay will he go – every year!

It's clear from pre-season that EFC are lacking. Most disturbingly in team chemistry and togetherness. How much of this is down to players not wanting to be at the club?

A fresh start is needed and for this we need new players who have not be infected with Martinez's softarse approach.

As good as Stones is or may become, he was in the too nice brigade as far a central defenders are concerned.

Frank McGregor
52 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:53:50
Glad to see him gone — a player who did not want to play for the club. We may now have a more stable dressing room. Hopefully we can also get rid of Lakaku... PLEASE!!!
Andrew Rimmer
53 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:54:08
Well put, Hugh (#43). Stones was a fair defender but I don't think he would in any way be head and shoulders above many others to lead us to better things. Holgate looks good briefly I know, but let's let Koeman (a solid player) do what he sees necessary.

I like ball-playing defenders but I admire more defenders who are tough and make no-nonsense tackles and will, if in doubt... you know.

John Francis
54 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:54:16
£25 mill Bolasie. It's done.
James Morgan
55 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:55:33
Please elaborate John Francis.
Ian Burns
56 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:56:07
Michael (#44) – my sentiments exactly. This is a really sad day and whereas I don't blame Stones (I wish him well) it says a great deal about our so-called new status – I think we have come too late to the party.
Colin Glassar
57 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:56:14
A day that will live in infamy.

Like Michael, Fran and a few others I feel like something has been lost. Holgate, Kenny, Davies et al – you may as well start looking for the highest bidder as potential has become dirty word at Everton.

Mark Tanton
58 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:58:26
They all have in infamy Colin. I just hope to hell that this isn't our usual sell-to-buy, hand-to-mouth plan, and is instead just the club waiting for outgoings to fall into place before moving on the incomings.
John Francis
59 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:58:33
Palace fans posting that the bid's been accepted. Twitter's lit up with the news. All over GOT too.
Pete Edwards
60 Posted 09/08/2016 at 16:59:42
Fran, are you seriously suggesting Stones was our best defender!!! Wow!
Liam Reilly
61 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:00:51
For all saying that we should've kept him; he wanted to go and did you catch him pre-season? Everyone else did! No heart at all.

The only thing crazy about this is that he''s the 2nd most expensive defender in the history of the game.

Read that again; mental.

James Hughes
62 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:00:56
Mark T. Very good first sentence! :)
Mike Powell
63 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:02:02
To tell the truth, I'm glad to see the back off him. I don't care good he is, he doesn't want to be here. He wanted out last season and as been sulking ever since, so good riddance.
Peter Laing
64 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:02:21
Michael @44 – is this the first demonstration of discontent voiced by ToffeeWeb concerning Farhad Moshiri since he acquired a 49.9% stake in the Club?

There is still 20-odd days till the close of the window but I would agree with the growing sense of impatience as our pre-season transfer activity has been wretched. There have also been rumblings from fans along the lines of 'meet the new boss – same as the old boss' which is evidently a bit premature.

Although, to be honest, Kenwright – despite his loss of shares infuriatingly still seems to have his paws well and truly still on the train set.

Colin Glassar
65 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:02:38
Oh, and I wish John all the best and look forward to see him gracing the likes of the Nou Camp, Bernabeu, Allianz Arena etc...and to becoming a future Barcelona and England captain.
Fran Mitchell
66 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:03:00
Now you mention it Colin. Davies, who the fuck is he some blonde twat is all I see. potential...fuck that. Maybe we can swap him for Delph.

Dowell, he can fuck off too the lazy git. We could surely get a decent, first team ready 33-year-old for the money we'd get for him.

And if we do spend half a Stones on one Bolasie, well then end of days. Who wants to win anything anyway, the fun isn't in the winning, it's in the profits.

David Hayes
67 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:03:57
We haven't signed any body yet, oh sorry, Fulhams reserve keeper and a relegated midfielder, with the hope of a carthorse from Swansea City. Is this the greatest asset-striping con job of all time or am I missing something?

Rom next, with the hope of a Man City cast-off if we are lucky. This makes me sick and very angry. "Wait and see," we are told... well, what I've seen so far is appalling, on and off the pitch.

Jack Convery
68 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:05:29
Ball, Lineker, Rooney all sold by our wonderful club. Stones will be compared to them eventually.

Alan Ball is a legend and in the EFC all time XI. I happen to think Stones would have ended up as an EFC legend too and been in the all time XI.

As they say, it's all a matter of opinion.

Linda Morrison
69 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:05:51
I just don't understand the messages about it being a sad day for Everton.

Stones has made no secret at all for some time now he wanted to leave. He put in a transfer request to try to force the move to Chelsea last year. There is no point keeping him if he does not want to be here.

Players in the EPL to do well need to play as a team and also give 110%. I am afraid that last season Stones failed on both counts.He has gone now we have lots of young players who want to be at our club and will now get the chance.

If Lukaku goes then as ling as the money, plus the £100 million is reinvested I don't care. At that price, Stones will be expected to prove his worth at Man City. Let's see how he does. If he shines, we will know last season was down to attitude, not skill.

Alex Jones
70 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:06:24
Great, as if the day couldn't get any worse. Do we not have scouts out of England?
Francis Hogan
71 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:06:54
Why keep a player that no longer wants to stay? We done that last year with Stones and his heart wasn't in it! See ya!!!
Dave Williams
72 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:07:53
Sold our best defender???? I must have been watching a different team the last two seasons – how many goals did he cost us?

Still a selling club??? What are we meant to do when he has been desperate to leave the last two summer windows? He couldn't give a stuff for EFC – no problem with that as he ain't local but move him on and rebuild but give the new management some time!

Fran Mitchell
73 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:08:40
If Lukaku goes, then, as long as the money, plus the £100 million is reinvested, I don't care.

Never gonna happen.

Tony Hill
75 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:09:18
It's a bit soon to couch all this in apocalyptic terms, isn't it? I liked Stones a lot and recognise his gifts but he wanted to go and we have a fair price for him. I wish him luck and hope he completes his development.

There are 3 weeks left of the window and we haven't kicked a ball in the Premier League under Koeman. Steady on.

Mark Morrissey
76 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:10:06
i would have really liked to have seen Everton finally shake of the shackles of being known for selling our better players and have said to Man City "Sorry, we don't sell our better players, go to a feeder club." Then to have seen Stones come out and say "I'm going to improve under one of the game's greats in Mr Koeman" ... but alas it's the same situation at Everton. Selling the family jewels, that's all this is.

Anyone who thinks it is good business is warped... UNLESS of course there is no £100 million war chest. If we have had to sell to release funds, then fair enough, because then it makes sense. A grumpy prick who wants to move on, then yes, get rid... but I thought we were now minted? Clearly not, UNLESS of course we make some big signings between now and the January window.

Time will tell, we'll all have to wait. Lukaku must now stay otherwise the huge war chest story was and is an urban myth, and the new ground story was a conversation that was spun out of control.

James Watts
77 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:11:15
Wowsers, I was desperate for new players but just reading we've agreed £25 mill for Bolaise. You are kidding, right?!? £25 mill??

We might have ripped off Man City for Stones but, IF this is true, we have been completely mugged. Can't get my head round this one.

Sean Roberts
78 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:12:35
Personally I think the club have done good business. Yes, Stones has the potential to become a footballing great and possibly a future England captain but it's been clear to see for over a year that he doesn't want to play for Everton.

I believe like others have said that Ronald Koeman has seen his squad and believes we can afford to lose Stones or we would have seen more of a fight to keep him as we have so far seen with the Lukaku saga. I hope I am right anyway!!!

Colin Glassar
79 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:14:36
So Phil Walling was right then?
Was there ever £100m to spend or was that just the Sky money?
Is the Sky money going to be even touched or will player sales be used to buy lesser replacements?
What happened to reducing our average squad age?

I could go on but I won't.

I have to believe in Moshiri but he does have Kenwright (aka Svengali) following him around 24/7. Don't let me down, Mosh.

Jimmy Salt
80 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:14:52
Do you think that writing his name on a piece of paper for Man City will guarantee him an England starting place???...isn't that how it works???

Good luck anyway, John; time for change at Everton. Patience, guys – we're on the up.

Richard Leeming-McHale
81 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:15:15
I liked this from the BBC website:

''Criticised by some Everton supporters and former players such as Sol Campbell for making mistakes, Stones made the joint most errors directly leading to goals in the last season's Premier League season — three.
Only former Everton team-mate Phil Jagielka, Southampton's Maya Yoshida and West Ham's Aaron Cresswell made as many.''

So now we should only be making half as many errors at the back!

Matt Muzi
82 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:16:10
I feel something that's been building for a season has finally come to fruition last night.

Stones has been off pace since all the Chelsea shenanigans last year, his head was turned and he clearly wanted out for some time. That coupled with the Martinez effect and what appeared to be a toxic dressing room last season has left him open to clubs such as Man City tempting him.

Yes we are losing a player with a lot of potential. I'm sad to see him go, but what's the point of trying to hold onto a player who doesn't want to be at the club. If he did tell the club after the Euros he wanted to leave then he had to be sold.

I'll be happy with Williams, not only is he a solid defender, but he is a leader – something we've been lacking for some time on the pitch in my opinion. If we can get Kone in as well then it could well give us a solid base.

I, like others on here, have heard Holgate has more potential than Stones. Whether that turns out to be the case or not we'll have to wait and see, but the fact he's been put in the first team and will be coached by Koeman can't hinder his development. It also may be the case Galloway goes on loan to the Toon under Benitez for a season that could well help his development and give him regular football. So potentially next season we'll have 2 top young defenders at the club, with Koeman as manager and us moving in the right direction.

If the Bolasie rumours are true then that is a step in the right direction. If we could get Mata as well then that is another step in the right direction and leaves a new first choice goalkeeper and another forward to sort out.

Terry Farrell
83 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:17:02
John Stones gave one of the best centre-back displays I have ever seen when we beat Chelsea at home last season and he has played well on many occasions, including in the semi final at Wembley.

The England defence will be built around him from now on. Those who go on about a few errors are blind to the many positives. I read ToffeeWeb everyday but never write in so that's how strongly I feel about this. He was also a good lad with a good attitude and if you've ever had the shits whilst playing football and been 3 times at halftime then you know he had to go off — or would you rather an Everton player mess his pants live on TV?

On a more general note, I hope this season sees a sea change where we give Koeman and all our players wearing the shirt a chance to improve. We need the bear pit back and general all-round support as Goodison. Too many in the crowd say nothing unless it is a negative. COYB.

Jimmy Salt
84 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:17:06
Colin, if we are serious about a new stadium, there has to be money put aside for it from somewhere. Moshiri isn't going to just buy it himself.
Kevin Rowlands
85 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:20:48
Fran, here we go again – it's all Everton's fault that he left, no ambition bla bla bla.

His head had been turned, he himself wanted out, there's absolutely nothing to gain by making him stay and play for us knowing he doesn't want to be here.

When Suarez, Ronaldo, Bale and others were sold, were their clubs being unambitious? No, the player had told them he wanted to move and they accepted it, cashed in and moved on. Kinda like we have just done with Stones and maybe Lukaku if he wants out.

Steve Guy
86 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:21:09
I too would have wished Stones to stay and learn under Koeman. However, it's so much guff to start saying "same old Everton". For at least this season the new management is in Catch-22.

We aren't currently successful and can't demonstrate we can be without the right players and some trophies in the Cabinet. But we can't get all the right players (or, in this context, keep the better ones) until we win stuff. But the odds of winning are harder without those players. This isn't Moshiri's fault. 20 odd years of under investment can't be cured overnight.

Frankly Stones is a luxury player for us in the immediate future. We need a team that can get back in European contention. Maybe that way we will keep the next John Stones and also bring in some top players, kicking on from there.

John Stones has behaved very professionally throughout the last twelve months. He's 22 and has an opportunity to set himself up for life financially. Hopefully he will make a great career for himself. Best of luck. Now move on.

Mark Tanton
87 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:23:16
If the Bolasie thing is true, it would fit in with Koeman's strategy of beefing up and finding more aggressive players – Bolasie is like Frank Bruno on crack. And he's torn us up more times than I want to remember in the past.
George Li
88 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:24:38
I still cannot understand the whole logic about a dribbling defender who can't defend being touted as the next big thing. Perhaps we could convert all young dribbling midfielders who can't pass or tackle or head into a defender and we get all the Stones we want for sale.
Brent Stephens
89 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:25:59
Stones is a work-in-progress. £40m odd for a WIP who didn't want to be with us. A bit sad as he "looks" classy. But very poor tackle and clearance stats last season, near bottom of the class in the EPL a la Sky stats.

But not sure about Holgate just yet - even more a WIP. He got skinned a few times against Manure last week (although it was Zlatan who did him!). But I do like his reassured manner. Confident. Oh dear, that was John as well!

John's gone now so just let's make the most of the dosh.

Andy Codling
90 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:31:02
From the Echo "For many Evertonians, he may have been up there with the most naturally gifted players they had ever seen in the flesh but at least now, this Everton manager, can bring in new players, quality players too, to fill in the gaps."

Have I been watching a different player the last two years? It is Stones we are talking about?

Les Martin
91 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:32:19
I wish him well as he is an English prospect for the national team, but I say prospect... as we at Everton are mainly not convinced he will reach the actual hype. Caught out several times last season and at City he may get found out, although I hope I am wrong?

£47.5M is a massive gamble and a great fee for us to re-invest on defenders that can actually defend! Goodbye and let's move on.

Lukaku will be next so the excitement is not over just yet, with several players still to move in I feel.

Barry Williams
92 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:32:36
I feel that there is too much negativity here at the moment, I can understand it, but for me I think we have to look at things logically. We have just got on board a major investor and to a certain extent restructured the boardroom, we have a new manager and a new structure with a director of football. All this in a short period of time.

Stones didn't want to stay and we got top whack for him, imo. Koeman, I believe – and this is only an opinion – obviously thought that this was good business and would have been planning for this outcome.

On top of this, do you think an ambitious man like Koeman, who has eyes on the Barcelona job, would have accepted the Everton job without certain assurances, one of these assurances being based around finances and the amount of money available to himself? We still have 3 weeks or so until the transfer window shuts and we haven't kicked a ball in true anger under Koeman yet!

Those who mention selling certain players, I for one remember Everton having much better seasons after selling both Rooney and Lineker. I am not saying that they improved because of the sales, but it shows that you can replace one player with a better team dynamic and improve considerably!

Come on folks, let's see what transpires in the next couple of weeks before thinking the same old, same old!

Kim Vivian
93 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:34:18
Where are people getting the Bolasie dope from?
Steve Brown
94 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:35:11
I think this deal makes sense, even if the £100 million does exists. Not sure who said it was that much, but it can't just be the Sky money as Koeman made clear that he took the job partly because of the significant investment in the squad Moshiri was willing to make. Soton after all are getting TV investment the same as us.

Structurally, Koeman needs to sign 6-7 players to rebalance this squad. He also needs greater leadership and experience in a very callow team. Transfer prices are rocketing which means £100 million might buy 3 or max 4 decent players; we need more than that. The additional £47.5 million lets him make the changes he needs, provided he can offload one or two.

Then there is the fact that Koeman like players who do their primary role well. He wants defenders who can defend, and Stones is not that good a defender at the moment. Poor positional play, lacks judgement, not great in the air, and loses concentration. Koeman is desperate to keep Lukaku but I never got that sense with Stones.

So I back the manager and the new owner. Good luck to Stones as his move is good for him and good for us.

Alan Bodell
95 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:36:10
Good player, sorry to lose him and he kept his mouth relatively quiet about a move unlike our lazy Belgian lump but time will tell if the path he has chosen to the oil money will see him go the way of Lescott and Rodwell, hopefully it will now he's gone.
Chris Corn
96 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:38:37
Kim 93, it's in the Croyden Advertiser. The mecca of all things Premier League.
Paul Thompson
97 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:40:34
Do any of the posters decrying worst day/decision etc actually think that we could have persuaded Stones to stay or that he would have given us his best if we'd denied him his wish to move again? Thought not.

Get over it and get real. Business has been underwhelming so far, but let's judge Koeman and Moshiri at the end of the transfer window, eh?

Barry Williams
98 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:41:37
Oh yes, and after 2 years of under-achieving, how are Everton going to attract top players with true ambition?
Stale Haverstadlokken
99 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:44:51
Good business for the club. Stones can be one of the best in PL, but time will tell. What we need now is one new CB, that can go straight into XI and improve. Holgate and Galloway need another year to learn
Barry Jones
100 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:53:31
One down, one to go. We need to sell Lukaku now. –100M for the two of them is good business. In football, nothing stays the same. Time moves on. No player is indispensable or irreplaceable. They both wanted to leave and they will be unhappy if they stay. Sell and invest in better value.

Moshri has put together the basis of an excellent management structure. I have faith that this management will make good decisions in building a competitive and attractive Everton team – emphasis on team, not a bunch of individuals wearing the same shirt.

The negativity has to end. It's time to place some trust and faith in the new ownership and management. "Based upon what?" you may ask... Only my intuition, but I feel that we are better equipped to handle these issues at this point in time than we have for many, many years.

Mike Hughes
101 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:56:21
This is nowhere near Alan Ball's situation (as referenced earlier in this thread) or even Rooney's departure either for that matter. Is it even on a par with Lineker leaving? Should I mention any of those players in relation to what happened today?

Let's be clear – Stones was not an Evertonian (unlike Rooney) and, as far as I can tell, did not want to remain here (unlike Ball). And he had far less impact than Lineker. Perhaps his leaving can be compared more fairly to that of Franny Jeffers – someone who was young, seen to be talented, attracted a high fee for the time – but who ultimately fell short. The same comment could apply to Jack Rodwell.

I'm not comparing their attributes with Stones – just their relative situations.

If we are to keep or attract top players, we need to be competing for honours again – winning silverware, being CL candidates etc. With the current crop of players – including Stones – we were going backwards - mainly thanks to that snake oil salesman of a manager.

As a result of that, Koeman has a massive rebuilding job to do. This not only includes investment, it includes unlearning the bollocks that was coached into them previously.

If he invests wisely, I expect to see us steadily moving towards those higher goals over the next 2-3 seasons. Then we can expect to attract and retain the so-called elite.

Glass half-full, I see Stones's departure as a potential step in that direction.

Regarding criticism of Moshiri (also referenced above), I'm holding fire on that. He got rid of Martinez and has invested wisely (IMHO) in the management team – including DoF. That was 3 boxes ticked as far as I was concerned.

Moshiri may just be taking a solid, measured analysis of the situation with a more attainable, longer term view of success rather than a couple of headline-grabbing impulse purchases to 'keep-up-with-the Joneses'. The transfer window is still open for the next 2-3 weeks so let's see what materialises. We clearly do need a few more players in this month.

Kieran Kinsella
102 Posted 09/08/2016 at 17:57:26
If you add the £41 million we got from Man City for Lescott and Rodwell then on balance we can't complain about the fee. However, more important than the money is the continuation of the theme that we can't keep our best players. All this talk of war chests and new stadiums but nothing to back it up.
Paul Andrews
104 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:00:52
As bad a loss as Alan Ball? The best player to wear an Everton shirt in my opinion against a player who can't head a ball (Per Koldrup?). Can't read a game, loses his man repeatedly and ball watches.

Merson is a dope who talks shite 99% of the time. His opinion on Stones was the one out of a hundred he got right. I was saying the same about Stones a long time before Merson voiced his opinion.

John Stones's defensive capability is obvious to anyone who wants to see it. Those that don't want to see it wont see it.

It's not personal, it's football opinion. A good footballer, a poor defender.
Zachary Tanner
105 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:00:58
Sad day. Was he the finished product? Not by a mile, but he has fantastic potential, and I would have loved to watch him grow alongside Ross and the rest of our young team.

Price inflated by his homegrown status, which arguably is more valuable to City than us. Can't blame the lad for wanting to work under Pep (and probably a huge pay raise), but think he could have learned a lot from Koeman.

Williams is probably the better defender in the short term, but I hope that this doesn't signal Koeman's short term vision for the club (before he's on to the next thing in 2 years?).

David Israel
106 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:01:34
I have mixed feelings on this one.

True, John Stones appears to be a player of great potential, and, along with a few of you around here, I'd lay most of the responsibility for his inadequate displays over the last couple of seasons firmly at the feet of you-know-who, who is best not mentioned.

And this sort of deal gives all the wrong signs to the football world and its assortment of leeches and parasites, as well as to any potential reinforcements, especially established names.

On the other hand, I'm afraid I was more disappointed when Jack Rodwell or Francis Jeffers were let go, or when Dan Gosling walked out – to say nothing of Wayne Rooney, of course (the fact that Jeffers, Rodwell and Gosling all proved disappointing is irrelevant here). In those days, we didn't have the sort of money needed to invest properly, and those cases highlighted our plight. Not so now. Contrary to what I have seen here, I don't think for a minute that Moshiri is another Peter Johnson. Does anyone think Ronald Koeman would have come if that were the case?

Finally, John Stones has been wanting to leave for a year now. There's no point in hanging on to a player whose heart isn't in it. Even Man Utd had to let Cristiano Ronaldo go in the end. And Arsenal have had their fair share of disappointments in this area (think Nasri, Van Persie...).

John Francis
107 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:02:02
Sporting CP in for Kone.

Don't panic... it's Arouna they want.

James Potter
108 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:03:07
He wasn't our best defender, in fact defending was his weakness!

He wanted to leave, so off he goes. In the meantime, we'll buy defenders who can actually defend first, pass or play the ball later. He didn't want to stay and we got a huge fee for him.

Let's look forward to seeing Williams, a natural leader, marshalling the back 4 at Goodison at the weekend.

Paul Tran
109 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:04:13
As I said several times this summer, I think Koeman got the job was because of his record of selling/losing 'top' players for top whack and replacing them with better ones, cheaper. So I'm neither surprised nor disappointed at the moment.
John Francis
110 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:05:00
SSN now reporting the Bolasie deal agreed. My birthday today wanted to chill all day, no chance. Bring it on haha.
Mark Tanton
111 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:07:45
Bolasie will be a really astute addition. He's everything we haven't got, fast strong and direct. And yes it's stupid money but is the Stones deal.
Eric Holland
112 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:08:06
Give it 2 years and he will be at Sunderland with Davy boy! If he is still in the job that is.

City will not tolerate the mistakes he made for us last season and he will be under immense pressure to perform.

Great bit of business for potential!!!

Jamie Crowley
113 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:08:19
Don't know if it's been said but...

Thank you David Moyes! What a signing and what an amazing ROI.

Sam Barrett
114 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:11:27
How much did Moshy pay for his stake in Everton? You can take £40M off that figure now!
Terry Bolger
115 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:11:39
What a farce... he was given the 24 shirt at Man City before he signed for them!

When will Everton be honest with the fans? We have never really been the People's Club and we never will.

David Israel
116 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:12:57
Good point, Jamie (#113). As a matter of fact, we made a couple of fine ROIs on Moyes's acumen with Lescott and Boy Stones.
Eric Myles
117 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:14:01
Hopefully he fulfills his potential as it's always sad to see a young ex-player fail, just so long as he concedes a hat full against us.
Mark Morrissey
118 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:16:16
Just seen Stones talking on Man City TV via Sky. First time I have ever seen him smiling. I honestly think he's going to struggle under the intense City spotlight.
Dave Hall
119 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:17:52
Love the Bolasie move – finally a nailed on starting left winger!!
Jamie Crowley
120 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:18:36
David – toss in Coleman. Even though we've not cashed in his valuation, what we paid is insane.
Mick Davies
121 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:19:15
I'm really baffled here: most Evertonians were belittling Liverpool's win over Barca, saying "it's only a friendly". Well before Everton have kicked a competitive ball for Koeman, our season is being written off by some TWers saying how badly we're going to be! FFS get a grip.

We've finally ended the Stones saga that started a year ago – it's not worth keeping a player who doesn't want to be here, as we saw with his 'displays' last season and Lescott before him. How many lamented the loss of Rooney and predicted relegation? What happened was a team playing for each other, rather than relying on one ego.

Stones is a disaster waiting to happen playing with 'calamity Joe' in goal. The lad has gone and we have a good manager in charge, so let's all get behind him and let him build his own team, then judge him. We aren't kopites claiming one swallow makes a summer, so don't say the club is finished because one 23-year-old mistake-laden 'defender' has finally achieved his year-long dream... to sit on City's bench like Lescott and Rodwell before him.

John Daley
122 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:19:43
"She was a classy girl alright. Could recite the complete works of Geoffrey Chaucer whilst reclining on a garden swing in nothing but a split crotch G-string, looked absolutely stunning sashaying her way down the catwalk but, goddamn, she was shite at knocking up a sheperd's pie. Ditched her and bagged off with a dirty big dinner lady who looks like a beef Monster Munch blown up to man size (even has the same artificial meat aroma about her) but at least she knows how to slap a bit of mash and mince together."

"Couldn't you have just bought her a cook book?"

"Fuck off. I'm hungry now."

-----------------

Under an attentive coach who can be arsed to address areas of weakness and work at strengthening them, rather than ignoring them and dismissing such fundamental stuff as a load of old wank, basic defensive skills can surely be drummed into almost any player not born with the name Bramble.

Williams and Kone may be better at the 'meat and two veg' stuff than Stones is right now, but they possess nothing that can't be taught and picked up over time (apart from, perhaps, pure physical strength). The non-ten-a-penny natural attributes Stones brings to the party, on the other hand, can't be pulled out of players not blessed enough to possess them to begin with, no matter how many times you bang their heads together, how diligently you instruct them, how hard you work them or how often you drill them.

If his heart was set on going, then an exit was probably best for all parties, but I don't really get those celebrating the fact and proclaiming his loss to be 'lovely stuff' (to be said in your best Alan Partridge).

It's like the guy out of Street Hawk saying "fuck you Street Hawk" to Street Hawk simply because Street Hawk skidded and he fell off a few times... and ditching his sexy 'hyperthrust' capable cycle (called Street Hawk) for a steady scooter and side car (called Safebut Shite).


David Smith
123 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:21:21
I for one am glad to see him go, overrated.
Iain Latchford
124 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:22:12
Sky Sport News reporting fee agreed for Bolasie. Could rise to £30m.
James Watts
125 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:23:49
Bolaise ... please ... please ... *on my knees begging* NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!! please NO!!! Please be bull shite. PLEASE!!!!!

Fast & direct. Yes. But completely and utterly crap in most games. I have a couple of Palace fans and friends and they are pissing themselves laughing at us for buying him.

Quote "Bolaise?!? 25million??!!? HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Can't wait to get rid of him."

What an Idiotic buy.

Tony Dove
126 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:25:25
A sad day but I wish him well. As for Bolassie is he really a step up from the four wide men presently in the squad? Not in my view at that price.
At least he will be able to keep Gueye company on the flight out to the African nations cup.
Brent Stephens
127 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:26:53
Sky reporting Bolasie deal agreed and fee could rise to £30m. Hmm.
Paul Hay
128 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:29:15
Let's face it - he wanted to go.

Keep the faith.

Dave Pritchard
129 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:29:48
Calm down James. The good old repeated No post. All we need now is someone to say I will drive (insert crap player currently on our books) to (insert team interested in him) there myself.
All transfers are a gamble and it will be interesting to see how Stones gets on as well as hoping our signings, which at least now seem more likely to happen, play for us.
David Israel
130 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:30:59
Yes, Jamie Crowley, good point! What was it? £ 60,000?
Jamie Barlow
131 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:31:08
Who have we got that's better on the left Tony?
Nigel Munford
132 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:33:03
Best bit of business so far this window. £47.5 million for a player didn't want to play for us, that struggled to get in our starting eleven towards the end of last season and didn't start for England in the Euros, I think we've mugged city.
Jamie Crowley
133 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:33:38
I ducking love Bolaise. James you're off your rocker.

Sign him up!

What a day...

James Watts
134 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:37:10
Guys, trust me. The guy is useless. You don't believe me, fine. I've been to a few Palace games (not v Everton btw) as a casual observer and he is shocking most of the time. 30 million completely down the Niasse drain. Believe me. One of the worst pieces of business in the window if it goes through.
Mike Green
135 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:37:18
If we signed Bolasie we will have significantly changed the face of the team today - no more Mr Nice Guy indeed Mr Koeman
Dave Lynch
136 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:37:57
I wish him fuck all, like I wish every other non-Everton player.

I don't care if that sounds mealy mouthed, he is not an Everton player anymore so stuff him.

As for the club? We are fed another load of bullshit with regards investment, plans, future...

Fuck the stadium, we need a team first and foremost, there are plenty of big stadiums in the lower leagues.

Lewis Barclay
137 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:45:41
Glad the Stones nonsense is over. Too much of a distraction. Happy to have Williams as a replacement for the next few years.
Mike Green
138 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:49:08
The bottom line is Koeman isn't here for the beer, and neither is Moshiri.

They both want results quick and that means winning football matches. At this point in time John Stones isn't the answer to that, his stock is probably the highest its going to be in the short term, he wanted to go and we got £47.5m for him - replacing him with someone far more likely to win football matches for us over the next couple of years than he would.

We have to build a successful team first before we can expect the likes of Rooney and Stones to stay with us - it was the case 12 years ago and its the case now. We need pro's who can do the business for us now otherwise we'll forever be pissing in the wind.

David Donnellan
139 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:55:46
Great player on the ball, a joy to watch when he was on song carrying the ball up the pitch. Great talent! But, lets get real, he couldn't defend for toffee (excuse the pun), his positioning was terrible, not fantastic in the air & he has the bravery of a rabbit. The Anfield debacle was truly bizarre!
He certainly wasn't the best defender at the club last season, he cost us way too many goals. He wasn't much better in the England games he played in, in the build up to the Euro's.
Yes, he has the potential to improve & could well go on to be something special, but then again he may not realise his potential. It is a bit of a gamble for both City & Stones himself. Do any of us think he will get the patience to make mistakes at City, as Martinez gave him at Everton? He could end up a very expensive squad player at City, time will tell. The grass isn't always greener.
I am firmly in the camp that hates seeing our great club being a selling/feeder club for the Sky favourites & selling are best players. However I think they had little choice, he didn't want to be here & I think he would have been a liability had he been forced to stay another season with us. The money was astonishing that was being offered for him, I personally don't think he is worth that much, but there you go.
David Milner
140 Posted 09/08/2016 at 18:58:38
Bolasie will be a good addition if it all goes through, rumour is Palace are willing to take Niasse on loan with a view to a permanent deal.
Steve Smith
141 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:01:00
So, have we got £100m to spend on the squad ?
It smells like our usual had to sell to buy or, is it just a coincidence that we're about to spend every penny that we've just got in for Stones ?
Great business for us regardless imo.
Amit Vithlani
142 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:01:54
Pretty peeved at Stones departure. A player who was not given the proper platform because we were managed by a clown over the last 3 seasons.

The manner of his departure was a little comical, but personally I don't care once he had signed up with Citteh.

Stones departure is a direct consequence, and legacy of Martinez manure filled tenure.

Koeman is doing the right thing in my book by targetting proven premier league performers such as Williams.

The FM loving wankmeisters who would have us buy unknown unproven players from other leagues underestimate how important hitting the ground is. The club has experienced significant upheaval this summer and lost staff on and off the pitch.

Their replacements, at least this window, have to be those who know their way around the Premier League.

Gary Mortimer
143 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:02:25
Bolasie?

Another Match of the Day player. Does a few nice things each game that turn up on the highlights - the rest of the game strolls around disinterested. Much like our big Belgium centre forward.

Anything more than £10m is way too much!

Jamie Barlow
144 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:03:06
Probably why he cost so much David@140. We've had to pay Palace a couple of million to take Niasse off us for a season.
Damian Wilde
145 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:11:53
Ha ha David, as if.

Q) If Stones is 'one of the best defenders in the world' why was it that last year he couldn't even make the starting line-up?

Jags and Mori were ahead of him, does that mean they are the best centre backs in the world?

Stones looks better than he is. People see him stream out of defence and play a great pass and think 'wow, not many centre backs can do that' and it glosses over his defensive deficiencies.

He became billy big b*llocks, do people want that attitude at Everton? Decent money (though we should have tried to rinse more out of them...should have said 50 million or no player, they'd have paid it) and good riddance. Get over it folks, he's just a ball player, don't firget how many goals he cost us last year.

Darren Hind
146 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:17:23
Sick as fuck

What has happened to this club ? people who have been hammering away at him ever since the half witted Merson told them he was no good (there wasnt a peep out of them before then) now saying his heart wasnt in it . .no fucking wonder !!! He was blamed for goals nobody could prevent. even goals when he wasnt playing. The park end panic merchants rejected class and composure because they want the fucker hoofed. This boy was not welcome by the philistines and they let him know it. Now he will be striding around Europe for a club who will appreciate him and the snipers now have the temerity to blame the lad for wanting out !

I really do wonder what has happened to this club, we sell a fantastic young talent and replace him with an arl man . . and they rejoice.

Williams is a fine player but he is thirty fucking two . .Do those who think this was a good days business not know what happens to thirty two year olds when they get an injury ? they take an eternity to recover and are never the same again . .one bad turn or tackle and Williams will be sitting in the seats that have been occupied by Pienaar, Hibbert and Ossie for the past three seasons.

A fine days business ??? It was for City and Swansea.

David Israel
147 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:18:56
Just watch Niasse become the fever of South London!

PS Whatever happened to Mike Trebilcock?

Paul Tran
148 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:26:17
Darren, what's happened to this club is that we've sold a cracking young player who has clearly decided he's better off developing around better players with a top notch coach in the Champions League.

We're paying for the fact that the last manager let things slip. I think that turned his head as much as City did.

I would love to have seen Stones develop under Koeman and alongside a leader like Williams.

When they've spent a year saying they want to leave, they're ultimately going to leave, aren't they?

Tony Draper
149 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:34:46
I have mixed feelings about this whole issue, mixed at so many levels.

Stones may become a breathtaking CB, one with style, panache, vision,foresight and tremendous positional sense. A player worth double what we have just sold him for.
But, I'd begun to seriously question the talented lad we bought from Barnsley's performances. Dozy defending, farting around with the ball in his own 18 yd and even 6 yd box, some bizarre times to display his skill. Seeing us concede goals and squander points because of his overconfident yet naive play.

Then, our new "structure", Moshiri, Koeman & Koeman, Walsh. OK so I was gathering momentum, felt that we were being gradually persuaded that "forget the recent lot, things are different now. Different chart on the map-table, different hands on the tiller, different understanding of the weather, tides, currents and very different routes to entirely new destinations.

But, unless I'm much mistaken, this looks, feels, smells all so familiar with the last time I "was taken on board". Tastes like Chang.

Right now, I'm saying, OK so eighth in EPL, quarter final of the LC and FA Cup; that's this "Brand New Land" just over the horizon.

That's what I'm going to be served up, isn't it ?
In Goodison Park with some new cladding.
That's it ?
You see, that's precisely what the Widow Twankey did two decades ago ... and I hate it.

Mixed feelings ?
ERM, no.
I lied about that.
You see, I learned how to lie about Everton through being fed utter bullshit repeatedly.

So cut the crap.
Cos' right now, I see no joy, I see only sorrow, I see no proof of our Bright Blue Tomorrow !

Ray Jacques
150 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:36:43
Second most expensive defender in history John Stones. Wow, just think about that one, how can it not be seen as good business?? The lad has wanted out for 12 months and despite the appointment of our new manager nothing changed. All teams with possible exception of Real and Barca lose their best players (even Man u) at times so the selling club moan is bollox. However, I do agree we need to reinvest big time and that is where the complaints should be, not the sale of an unhappy player.

Good luck to him, but at present due to the defensive negligence of our last manager we now need to build our team from the backline and stop conceding stupid goals and giving away points from winning positions before we look any further.(remember the frustrations last season) We don't have the luxury of a player like Stones making silly errors each week whilst he "learns how a £50 m centre back should defend". Let City sort that out with their other fine defenders such as Mangala and Otamendi.

To those comparing this day with the leaving of Lineker and Ball well when these two were sold they were respectively:-

Ball- world cup winner, established England international for 5 years and widely recognised as one of the finest midfielders in the world.
Lineker- top scorer in First Division and top scorer at that seasons World Cup.

Both were players performing on the world stage.

John Stones- cannot get into a poor England team, a member of the worst Everton defence in memory and eventually dropped , dodgy stomach ailment.

The time is right for him to go(could have been a Lescott situation this Saturday, remember when we were done for 6 by Arsenal), we need to stop complaining , replace him, improve our systemof play , get over it and move on.

COYB

David Hallwood
151 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:38:00
I'm glad he's gone TBH; great ROI, and to my mind he blindsided people because a) he was easy on the eye, not a lumbering carthorse and b) his mistakes have been put down to naivety, and as he gets older(so the theory goes) he’ll stop the overplaying.


But in between these two bookends there’s a ‘defender’ whose positional play is appalling and leadership and organisational skill non-existent. I’ve said this before on TW, but I would sit down with any Evertonian with a DVD of the last 2 seasons (where we shipped 100+ goals BTW) and just watch his positioning and his failure to track runs.

Watching Chiellini of Juve and Italy in the Euros makes you realise how far behind Stones is from world class CBs. OK Chiellini is 10 years older and vastly more experienced, but he’s been at the top of his game for the last 10 years. Just admire the measured calm he brings to the centre of defence.

And finally I never heard Koeman praising Stones calling him a world class defender etc-and this from (or not in this case) a ball playing CB who WAS world class.


Kevin Rowlands
152 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:40:35
Darren, your nearly as bad as Fran, now you've heard of Liverpool, Utd, Spurs and Juventus right? What do they have in common? They all sold their best player and world class superstars, why, because the player told them they wanted to fucking Leave! Stop blaming the club and the fans for this, the lad has made it plainly obvious he wanted to move on, we basically swapped him for Williams, Gueye and Bolasie in terms of fees payed, personally I believe that makes us a much tougher and better team.
John Atkins
153 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:41:26
Why do people say he's one of our best players?

Don't agree, he was a liability at times and was victim of believing the hype because he was young, English and liked to carry the ball out ! what a load of bollocks

I cant stand players who don't want to play for our club so do one Stones, you were not good enough for England and yes i'm bitter, I don't wish any former player good luck, hope you fail big time son

Money and the likes of City are continuing to ruin football so I hope both he and they fail


Frank Crewe
156 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:52:49
RK said he wanted to see more aggression from his players. Plainly he has given up on seeing it from the current bunch of players so he's buying some new ones.

Williams, Kone, Bolasie are all aggressive players. We need more but it's a start.

Peter Morris
157 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:53:59
Bye Bye Stonesy.
I'm afraid I went off you after your "calm down" antics, so I hope you find Jack Rodwell's seat warm enough for you, and you enjoy being surrounded by players who keep telling you about the 'project' and being the best in the world, and if you genuinely think Guardiola can help you fulfil your potential, then the best of luck to you.
Colin Glassar
158 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:55:08
I'm with you Darren 100%. Kevin and what was the common denominator between Suarez, Bale and Ronaldo? All their respective teams tanked after they left and it's taken them years, and different managers, to recover. Watch Juventus go down the toilet as well post-Pogba.
Kevin Rowlands
159 Posted 09/08/2016 at 19:55:30
For the naysayers if the deals go through and it looks like they will, we have basically lost Stones, but added Williams, Gueye, Kone and Bolasie for about a 20 million quid layout give or take. How anybody cannot be satisfied with that is mind boggling, absolutely fantastic business from the club and to top things off and con Palace into taking Niasse and therefore paying part or all of his wage the next year, therefore reducing the Bolasie fee, it's turning out to be a fucking top day.
David Johnson
160 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:00:03
Like many I am sad to see him go as I really thought given time he could be another Pique and with the right coaching who knows. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum is the motto and to be the best you must want to play for us. Sorry whatever your name was you are not the best Bye Bye.

Lets move on and upwards.

Brian Mahoney
161 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:04:02
Kev (#152), spot on, mate. He's wanted to leave since last season hence the crap displays and woeful cock-ups. Howard was crucified for a lot of mistakes but Stones contributed to a lot of these.
Kevin Rowlands
162 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:07:49
Colin, that has got nothing to do with it, what are teams supposed to do, make an unhappy player stay who because he is unhappy won't perform to the best of his abilities, run down the contract then get peanuts for him or let him walk for fuck all at the end of it, Everton and the fans are not to blame here.
Colin Malone
163 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:12:15
Some moaning on here, isn't there...

Let Koeman do his job, ffs. Remember the last time Everton signed older players? Reidy and Andy Gray. Great signings, not only on the field but in the dressing room.

Darren Hind
164 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:15:10
Kevin

you have heard of Ronaldo, Bale, Suarez and Pogba right ? They all moved on to bigger clubs, for more money, Now here's the thing. None of them were slaughtered weekly by their own supporters, they were able to make their decisions purely from a football point of view. see the difference ? they did not have factions of their own supporters criticising them after every game.

Like most on here I'm a life long Evertonian, but we now have a section of our fanbase who wouldnt recognise risk taking entertainment if a guitar playing magician telling jokes landed on the fucking heads after sky diving 5,000 feet without a parachute . . .I wouldnt want to play for them either

Chris James
165 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:18:01
Absolutely amazing deal.

Stones is a good player who has the potential to be great (or if you like inane parlance 'a top top player'), but that's just what it is potential. £47.5M for early 20s potential vs £12M for early 30s proven performer is a deal I'd take all day long right now when the concept of 'long term planning' for most teams is 'next season'.

To be fair we've not regretted too many 'potential' sales aside from Rooney who we knew was the real deal but just needed the money right now. The likes of Rodwell and Jeffers both proved great business and the loss of Gosling is hardly lamented for instance.

Jay Harris
166 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:20:21
Cant understand the stupidity of saying we are a selling club when it was made clear for over 12 months the lad did not want to play for us. Because we sell one player, we are now a "selling" club???

I am more outraged that we put up with Martinez for 3 years and Stones's inferior performance for 15 months.

Now we get a proper board and professional management team who have only been in the job for 5 minutes and posters are upset we haven't turned into CL standard already.

FFS boys give it some time and patience.

And BTW, as Lyndon pointed out in another thread, we couldn't go ahead and make major buys until we got some massive income in not because we are skint but because of the Financial Fair Play rules so let's please let the professionals get on with doing their job.

Daniel Lawrence
167 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:24:17
I'm struggling to see how Williams on a 2-year deal and Bolaise are worth effectively swapping for Stones once we've paid Barnsley off. Madness.
James McPherson
168 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:25:01
School of Kenwright 1 School of Science 0.

Shocking day.

Not just because he's gone. More the shoeing we are giving a classy footballer who's leaving because we want hoof ball. As has been said, this club, its ethos, its prestige, its lustre, its roots – all the things that made us great – being dispatched to the bin like a half-eaten kebab on a Sunday morning. Truly sad.

Brent Stephens
169 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:25:14
The attraction of Williams is that he'll contribute to solidity at the back, not taking chances where it's not necessary. Let's build from that, let others create and thrill us and contribute goals.
Hugh Jenkins
170 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:28:22
Colin (57) - not quite as bad as Pearl Harbour.

Fran (66) - There is a substantial difference between a club selling a player with potential who wanted to stay at the club and a club selling a player with potential who didn't want to stay at the club.

If the club starts to sell off Davies, Holgate, et al against their wishes then I would agree - it would be a disgrace and a real indicator that the club had no ambition.

Stones wanted to go however and said so publicly, over two transfer windows. That, in my view was far more damaging to the clubs reputation than the club actually finally selling him.

I think the successful pursuit of RK, Walsh and now Gueye, Williams and apparently Bolasie is indication enough that the club does have ambition and that this season will be one of rectification and consolidation, before finally moving on from the Moyes era.

However, only time will tell.

Jamie Crowley
171 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:29:02
I'm with Brent.

We can lament letting go of one of the brightest young prospects England has seen in a few years. It's natural.

But the boy wanted away, we got one hell of a sum for him, and RK seems to be putting his stamp on the team now.

This is all positive.

Terence Beresford
172 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:32:57
The thing that's keeps bugging me is him asking to come off against the RS.
Hugh Jenkins
173 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:34:13
James (62). I have no wish to steal Mark's thunder – but that line appeared in the 1960s film "Carry on, Caesar". It was spoken by Kenneth Williams who, as Caesar, following the stabbing scene cried out, "Infamy, infamy, they've all got it in for me".
James McPherson
174 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:36:08
Jay, would these be the same highly regarded professionals who did the Kings Dock deal, The Kirkby deal, the NTL deal, kit bag deal, the shirt sponsorship, the commercial promotion of EFC? - for pity's sake.

Sometimes I think we deserve everything we get – naive beyond naive. Kept the idiots afloat and on board. I would remind you that Elstone has been promoted to the board since Moshiri arrived.

Fintan Spode
175 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:50:07
The problem with Stones is that he is another of those hyped up players that we seem to specialise in at Everton. He is a player that people who do not support Everton think is top class, but who Everton supporters have real doubts about. He is a Rodwell and a Jeffers and as with both of them, we are wise to cash in on the illusion.

There are others of this type still at the club and if you don't know who I mean, just ask yourself – do we really carry the threat that a team who are led by a genuine £75m striker should have?

Jamie Crowley
176 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:55:43
Did anyone run this by Hibbo before we sold Stones?
Kevin Rowlands
177 Posted 09/08/2016 at 20:57:45
"Gutted", "best center half I've ever seen play for Sunderland", "can't believe we're only getting 18 million", "better than Stones". These are some of the comments I've been reading about our new center half on Sunderland forums. I think we are going to be fine.

Keith Harrison
178 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:00:54
Today will prove to be a pivotal day in our modern history. We have lost a young ball-playing centre-half 'with potential' who loses us a goal on average every two games or less. He is caught in possession, puts team mates under pressure, has little spatial awareness (watch the Defoe goal against us at home last season) is bullied off the ball. Not a very good header, and is not very aggressive. Does not pose a threat in the opposition box, Man Utd excepted - season before last.

History may go on to prove that he was so far ahead of his team mates, that he needed to move to City to have better players round him. If so, good luck to the lad. He never stirred it in the press, played when he was asked to, and didn't have big mouth agents or parents agitating.

In return, we have got at least one beast of a centre half, top blocks last season, bullied Lukaku twice, is aggressive, and is a leader of men. Personally I would give him the armband right now.

Kone may also be joining us, or Bruno Martins Indi. I would have both, and let jags go to Sunderland as part of the Kone deal.

From watching the friendlies, Mason Holgate is going to be a more accomplished defender than Stones. He just needs some physique work, and will be tutored by one of the finest ball playing centre halves in the world, Ronald Koeman.
Moshiri's millions will not bring in the Draxlers etc we yearn for, as the club, much as we believe we are the best in the world, needs to make strides over the next couple of years before we are that proposition.

Let's try the "Slowly slowly catchee monkey" method before consigning RK et al to the rubbish bin.

We certainly didn't play School of Science stuff under Moyes, and if you would rather watch that often turgid shit Roberto had us serve up, you really don't know what the School of Science was.

Colin Glassar
179 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:06:22
Fintan, so Guardiola knows FA about football and football players? The same goes for Jose Mourinho, Ferdinand, Rooney etc . and virtually every pundit in the land? None of them have a clue about this boys natural talents but the brains on TW do? No wonder he's smiling like a Cheshire cat today.

On another point, Stones said it was Joe Hart who helped him change his mind while with the England squad so, wtf was Ross and Rooney doing? They should've told Hart to do one.

Chris Corn
180 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:07:00
James MacPherson (#168), I wouldn't mind if Stones was like a Southall or Watson who kept us afloat in poor sides when the glory days of the 80's were gone. The fact is Stones was a major part of an inept defence that conceded daft goals and threw points away for fun for two years.

You wax lyrical about lost virtues, but they were all gained by teams who had defenders who did just that, defend.

If fans just wanted hoof ball they would have had no issues with retaining Martinez. That said, the manner in which that transfer was announced was nothing short of shocking.

Kevin Rowlands
181 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:07:30
I hope, Fran, Darren and Colin don't read your post Keith, their heads will fucking explode, btw you are 100% correct sir.
Andy Crooks
182 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:11:00
I am trying to take a positive view. Perhaps we have strengthened, and short term I think we have. However, in my gut I feel that City have done the best days work. In the right team John Stones will be a very special player- Bobby Moore with pace- I would like us to have been the right team.

I have always advocated pragmatism for Everton so I can't complain. I did, though, for a while, feel that a new swashbuckling era might be upon us. I isn't, but I I still have high hopes.

Keith Harrison
183 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:13:15
Colin, Pep won the Bundesliga with a team that's been the equivalent of Celtic in the Scottish league. He never won the Champions league with them. Mourinho got sacked last season, and sold us a stiker a couple of years back. Bought sold and bought Matic. Sold De Bruyne.

I'm not saying they are shit managers – they just don't get everything right. Jose obviously didn't fancy Stones now!

£47.5 mill for an as yet unproven talent, converted into a number of needed players at Everton represents good business to me mate.
And Hart himself will be out of Shiteeh shortly. What goes around comes around.

David Chait
184 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:15:07
I'm done with this thread. How anyone here believes they know better than Pep about the merits of Stones is beyond me. Everyone is entitled to their opinions on I guess.. Based on these comments thank goodness Stones left! He certainly doesn't need us! Darren has it spot on! I'm honestly disappointed.
Keith Harrison
185 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:15:29
Kevin, love Darren and Colin to bits, but I think this is a good day for Everton.
Dave Ganley
186 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:15:30
Good I'm glad the whole thing is over and done with. The lad didn't want to be here so let him go. He may go on to.be a superstar he may not, what isn't in doubt imo is that it was yet another cog that helped destabilise what little teamspirit that exists in the dressing room.

The recovery period has started and hopefully Koeman will think long and hard as to what kind of characters he wants to foster a great teamspirit. Something our predecessor seemingly didn't have the slightest fucking idea what that meant. Keeping a so called superstar, prima donna or whatever you wish to call them is not necessarily a good thing especially when they don't want to be here.

If Lukaku doesn't want to.commit then get rid also. We have had enough of players only playing when they feel like .it's part of what's got us in this mess in the first place .that and that fucking idiot Martinez.

Simon Bates
187 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:15:50
I for one am more than happy with this. Stones's errors could possibly cost Man City the title this season, whereas Williams's leadership qualities will no doubt add a much-needed calming influence.

Has anyone else noticed what we appear to be doing here?

The needs have been identified, it would seem, and our solution whilst at first glance seems underwhelming, when you look a little closer, is really quite ingenious!!!

We are totally rebuilding the spine of the team with, it would appear, Koeman's and Walsh's ideal players, all picked with proven EPL experience and all stand-out performers at their respective cubs.

Expect a keeper and playmaker next; then I would say that's more like it.

Roger Helm
188 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:16:55
Stones is a very talented player who can pass well and is composed on the ball. But as a CB is his positioning good? Is he a leader and organiser? Is he a team player? Is he commanding in the air? Has he got the physical presence and nastiness to dominate opponents?

There's more to CB play than picking out a pass. I think it is good business by the club, given that he didn't want to be here. Stones may be promising but he is no Moore or Beckenbaur, and we have seen plenty young stars leave us and not fulfil their promise at other clubs.

Keith Harrison
189 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:17:37
Andy (182) your missus isn't still looking for me after the teacher jibes is she? Haven't left the house since June!
Fintan Spode
190 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:20:28
Colin Pep and Jose are a couple of gobshites who built their teams with money, in doing this both have made plenty of mistakes. As for Ferdinand and Rooney .well If you are quoting the intellectual giants how can I answer?
Keith Harrison
191 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:26:08
Succint, Fintan.
Dave Pritchard
192 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:29:08
Keith, all those lazy teachers are off at the moment although of course they're effectively on holiday all the year round. Nearly as easy a life as PL footballers and their agents.

Seriously though I think you may turn out to be correct about this being a good day for Everton and if it turns out that Stones is a world beater then I'll happily eat humble pie.

Colin Glassar
193 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:31:23
Fintan, I agree with you that they've bought titles with their respective teams, over the years, but they know talent when they see it eg Cech, Essien, etc hardly household names at the time.

Remember they also have worked at clubs where a DoF and/or owner do most of the buying so they work with what they have. Fuck it mate, I'm just gutted we've lost a massive, IMO, talent. I honestly don't give a toss about Pep or Jose.

Keith Harrison
194 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:33:19
Colin, while we are here, whatever happened to the Glasstradramus? I've not seen one incoming or outgoing you've mentioned mate, and you used to be THE barometer for comings and goings.

Maybe this 'shit' new Everton does things - relatively - on the quiet, gets all the building blocks in place then starts making noises. I hate it - it's so frustrating trawling for news and not knowing what's going on - but I love it. Real businessmen running a real club. Roll on the Docks!

Damian Wilde
195 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:35:00
Colin Glasser:

"I'm with you Darren 100%. Kevin and what was the common denominator between Suarez, Bale and Ronaldo? All their respective teams tanked after they left and it's taken them years, and different managers, to recover."

The HUGE difference here is that the players you mention were HUGE players for their clubs, making an enormous contribution. Are you saying Stones was as influential as Suarez? Madness. Difference is we're losing someone who cost us goals; we'll probably be better.

Christy Ring
196 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:38:40
A bit of mixed feelings over selling Stones. Could be an outstanding player, but Martinez ruined him last season, and he wanted out. Williams will strengthen our defence, and I hope we get Kone, a powerful centre half.

Bolaise deal nearly done, but I 'm a bit sceptical. Why are we suddenly buying players on the same day we get £47.5m for Stones? >I'm probably paranoid, because that's how BK did our transfer business.

The £100m Moshiri promised? Will it be used for another striker, midfielder and keeper, or will Lukaku be sold to fund more deals? I hope it's just my paranoia.

Keith Harrison
197 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:38:58
Dave, are you still on the market if our £75m CF goes as well? LOL

Can I also offer (slight) apologies to teachers. I was looking after my Grand-daughter's 5th Birthday day out on Saturday 10.30 until 4.30. All 27 of her class mates and my 2-year-old grandson was there. I was fucking demented when I got home.

Fintan Spode
198 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:43:16
Colin...I think the pain your feeling is understandable we have all suffered over the years and are looking for something positive to make us feel we have turned the corner. The current window has been very frustrating and it will probably go right to he wire before we get the "big" signing.

Keith is right though, we all used to look to you for the first clue about what is really going on and you invariably had your finger on the pulse ...have you lost your magic balls?

Colin Glassar
199 Posted 09/08/2016 at 21:48:13
A cheeky bid for Joe (cradle snatcher) Hart and Juan Mata will be our next moves. After signing Williams, Kone and probably Bolasie (hope not).
Keith Harrison
200 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:03:44
Apparently Shitteeeh fans have penned their own version of the John Stones song. It goes like:-

The Scousers said 'he's not for sale',
But that just wasn't true,
Cos Sheik Mansour clicked his fingers
And now he is a Blue
We've got fucking loads of money
Money to buy John Stones..."

And my riposte is:-

They offered us Guardiola,
But we thought he is shite,
We went for Ronald Koeman
Just because we know he's right,
We mugged you for 50 million,
We sold you John Stones.

Sold you John Sto o ones,
Even though he can't defend,
Sold you John Sto o o nes,
He's a big Bell - end.

Ad finitum

Colin Glassar
201 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:06:02
Oh, and we might throw in a bone for a Bony.
Andy Crooks
202 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:21:29
Keith #189, SHE knows you haven't left the house. But...at some stage you will.
Damian Nolan
203 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:21:35
"Park End panic merchants" — sums that part of the ground up perfectly. Many of them can multi-task so they are adept at slating Barkley too.

We will come to regret the loss of Stones. History will show this to be the true legacy of Bill and Roberto.

Finally, I thought Stones showed real class over the whole thing, unlike some. Having met his parents it is genetic.

Ian Riley
204 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:22:13
We had to let him go. He wanted to go. We have not got time to wait one or two years for a finished product. Koeman has bought experience in and ready to go.

More to follow ..

Ian Cowhig
205 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:29:20
Not sure why there is lots of surprised comments that Everton have let him go. He was odds on to go. Don't believe Everton had any choice based upon the fact he had asked to leave. The only option they had was to get the best deal. Which in my view they have.

The lateness of the deal has not been caused by Everton. More City's hope that they would get him cheap @ £40million. The champions league registration has forced their hand. They managed to save some face by not going the full £50 million on initial fee. And Everton will get that value on add-ons.

My view is Koeman knew right from the start that Stones would be going, and had an idea of what he wanted as replacements. I am happy for him to get on with it. Don't forget the players that are leaving are part of the group that have been awful for two seasons. Poorly marshalled by Martinez, granted. But he wasn't to blame for all of it.

Colin Glassar
206 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:29:24
Damian I agree with you but he's gone now and we have to move on. This deal has split the fan base so it's time for some closure. I will continue to follow Stonesy's career as he rises to the top with a tinge of regret at what could've been.

Let's get behind the new players and look forward to the new season. IRIT, COYB and all that.

Tony Draper
207 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:36:50
You've handed us fuckin silly money
But John Stones can't defend

We'd have clung on to that kid John Stones
If he wasn't a bellend

We had your kecks with Rodwell n Lescott
When will you fuckin' learn ?

You just won't learn, no
You just won't learn, no
No, no, no, no !

Peter Gorman
208 Posted 09/08/2016 at 22:55:45
Boo bloody hoo - I am frankly astounded at the whinging from posters I normally have a hell of a lot of respect for.

By all means lament the sale of a young potential star but blaming the club? They can't keep a want-away player, we tried it last season and he was shite.

Speaking of shite, most of this team are. We need a lot of fresh blood, this sale finances it. We should be stronger for the sale in the coming days. This is a good move by the club even if Stones goes on to captain Barcelona, the team is always more important and it currently is pure shite.

Have none of you watched 'Moneyball'?

Keith Harrison
209 Posted 09/08/2016 at 23:04:40
Andy, I'm not leaving the house this weekend. I won't be travelling down to Goodison. I won't be in the Winslow, and I won't watch the match from the Park End. And I'm deffo not a panic merchant.

Unless she has a rifle, of course.

James McPherson
210 Posted 09/08/2016 at 23:08:48
Those people citing the idiocy of people lamenting the departure of Stones, whilst simultaneously saying we now need to rebuild for the future. Really? Do you not see the absolute contradiction in your argument? We are a club that doesn't build. We are a club that develops young talent with a view to selling them in their early / mid 20s (latest).
Peter Gorman
211 Posted 09/08/2016 at 23:16:31
No James I don't see the contradiction - we need strengthening all over and selling this dubious asset helps finance it.

One player departs, probably three arrive, team is stronger.

All of the lamenting is moot when the player wants to leave as he proved last season he is a liability in such a mood.

But nobody can stop you lamenting away, it is your perogative.

Brian Wilkinson
212 Posted 10/08/2016 at 01:00:49
Top class replacement in Williams, I think we have a more reliable centre half for less the money, twice now Stones has asked to move, great business getting that amount to let him go.

Now for a top class goalkeeper.

Jim Hardin
213 Posted 10/08/2016 at 02:21:39
Based upon the comments I have read, I am wondering why my first post was smothered by the editors? Oh well, in two moves, I think that Everton has saved the team at least 11 points this season and created a solid defensive line.

Odd as it may seem, I do wish Stones luck and a long career. Hopefully, he will find both courage and heart to defend properly to go with his footballing brain. Cue the music, flying monkeys (wearing Liverpool kits), and munchkins waving and dancing about as scene pulls back on a skipping Stones on his way to Manchester along the yellow brick road, actually the A580. Then fade to black, music ends, and a cackling Pep Guardiola suddenly appears with a green face and in full witch costume, riding his Etihad broom across the screen, dropping 20-pound notes as he does.

Darren Hind
214 Posted 10/08/2016 at 04:23:27
Keith (#178), me old China plate. Long time no speak.

I read your post twice and I cant make head nor tail of it "cost us a goal every two games"? Are you sure? He has been here three seasons and until his form dipped. (Pretty much in the same way EVERY defenders form will dip under the tuition of Martinez.) He was lauded by all. now it appears he was never any good and cost us a goal ever other game? ... What?

Ashley Williams is a great pro. A fantastic example of a limited player who kept believing when nobody else did, but I had never heard of him 3-4 seasons ago. I could be wrong but I don't think he even played in the Premier League until he was about six years older than Stones is now... He is not in the same league. He's a fantastic pro, but he miles away from Stones in terms of ability.

Ask yourself why nobody else stepped in when Swansea turned down £10m for him? He's 32, fffs, not even the "gobshites" Jose and Pep have that sort of money to blow. We're back to Square One, bringing in seasoned old pros like Gough, Weir and Stubbs. Not bad buys when taking into isolation... but how the fuck is that progress? We'll be very lucky to get 2-3 years out of him... What then? Another seasoned pro?

I simply don't get all this rejoicing about selling Stones to offset the cost of incoming players. I thought we had moved on from that. We are meant to be rich, why are people celebrating the continuation of our seemingly eternal sell-to-buy policy?


If I don't catch up with you soon, I hope Andy Crook's missus does...

Craig Fletcher
215 Posted 10/08/2016 at 05:44:45
Darren, Ashley Williams will be a stop-gap solution for a couple of seasons, maybe three, but if we are thinking in the long-term Holgate and Galloway will be the answer. In no way should signing Ashley Williams be seen as a parallel to the late 90's / early 2000's when Gough, Weir and Stubbs arrived. If anything it's more of a parallel to Distin arriving.

How do we know another club did not enquire after Williams? Shock, horror, but maybe Ashley preferred a move to Goodison from the options on the table?

And getting back to the topic of the thread, it's simples - all the indicators are that John saw his future at another club, that seemed pretty clear from about this time last year when Chelsea came calling. His head was turned, he wanted to move on - good luck to the lad. From that point, it's then only prudent for the club to then get the best possible price for a player who did not want to be here. Would it have been better to have kept a player at Goodison when his heart certainly didn't seem to be in it?

Paul Ward
216 Posted 10/08/2016 at 07:55:49
I find (Mike Hughes #101) one of the more balanced posts on this thread. Sentiment has clouded the logic of many who like myself are sorry to see Stones go.

John Stones was a great find, he brought a cultured brand of play to the team and looked outstanding when we were winning. When we were under pressure and trying to hold on to a lead late on, he was often left wanting.

It has been obvious for at least a year he did not want to play for Everton, so I can not understand why so many fans wanted him to stay.

Joe Edwards
217 Posted 10/08/2016 at 09:33:09
Well, the good ship Stones has sailed away and it has to be said that, although the transfer was protracted, it is good business for the Blues.

We needed a large transfer fee to boost our turnover for the new Financial Fair Play rules regarding increasing your wage structure by 20%, so Stones's wages / fee will start the domino effect of signings.

Now just get rid of Lukaku for mega money, bring in Bony, Kone, Dann, Witsel and Mata and I will be one extremely happy Evertonian.

Joe Clitherow
220 Posted 10/08/2016 at 11:02:11
Some real drama queen comments on here.

Mercenary footballer signs for mercenary club after stating he wanted to leave for the past 15 months (for the second mercenary club after interest from first mercenary club and original mercenary club manager apparently cooled after mistake ridden season). Shock horror!

Seen it all before, and I think we will be just fine. Shocked and confused after Ball left when I was a very small child, gutted after Lineker left, resigned when Rooney left (we were definitely a selling club for Rooney), but older and wiser. All three of those, including Rooney, delivered for both Everton and England, John Stones has done nothing except looked good coming forward in the odd game.

Stones may well go on to be all the things being talked of him here, given his fine skills on the ball which plainly suits Guardiola's style (which is basically to spend so much on players that are so good they always keep the ball so you don't really have to defend - genius! Genius?), and yes there are certainly things in his game that can be improved with good coaching, since, he, and every other player we have went backwards under the idiot in charge of football for the past three seasons.

But personally I doubt it.

The much missed Harold Matthews was not a fan and got quite a bit of criticism on here for pointing out basic flaws which have still not been addressed. These were primarily poor heading ability, turning away from the ball and lack of concentration. Even last Saturday in the friendly against Espanol he just passed straight to the opposition under no pressure at all.

I also used to think that these faults could be coached out of him, but after several seasons I'm not so sure because I think the lad lacks the one thing that can't be coached and is vital for a CB: Heart!! For me there are real questions over his temperament.

He wanted to go, he's gone, get over it. The Club will go on as it always has done. The future is finally bright for me after nearly three decades of underperformance and false dawns.

Onwards!! Upwards!!

Michael Polley
223 Posted 10/08/2016 at 16:44:55
Had to laugh when Stones said that Joe Hart and Stirling convinced him to join City. Stirling can't get a game for City and his career has stagnated since joining them. I wonder if Stones career will follow the same path.

Quite a few have joined City thinking the grass is greener only to find they are squad players that eventually disappear off the radar.

Anyway he is gone. Good luck to him. Our club will move forward. Think we've done well out of the deal.
Stan Schofield
224 Posted 10/08/2016 at 20:43:20
Jack @22: Like your dad, I felt it when Alan Ball was sold to Arsenal in 1971. I was 17, Ball was my hero basically, and I just wanted to turn the clock back to 1966. I'm disappointed that Stones was sold, but I agree with other comments that say this is nothing like Ball leaving.

Just to put this into context, the fame of Ball, Harvey and Kendall is not exaggerated. This midfield combination was, in my opinion, the best in the world at the time, even better than the fantastic Brazil midfield of the 1970 Mexico World Cup. I was always puzzled why they weren't chosen as England's midfield. Ball was an England regular, but Harvey played only a few times (and was in Mexico), whilst Kendall was never picked for England astonishingly. Harvey is my reference point for great ball players, and he's called the 'white Pele' for a reason.

Although Stones is in many ways a cracking player, he has significant shortcomings. In comparison, Ball (and Harvey and Kendall) had none that were notable, even at the age that Stones is now. So, as an old Evertonian, although I'm disappointed that Stones is gone, in the big scheme of Everton things, it's not such a big deal.

The job of Koeman at this moment in time is to produce results, to address the shortcomings of Everton that he's identifying, and produce a better team that hopefully will be a basis for success. Stones' transfer is just a cog in that wheel.


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