Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
Martinez determined to keep hold of 'sensational' Stones
58 Comments 
Despite having twice told the Londoners that Stones is not for sale, media talk suggests that the Toffees should brace themselves for another formal offer in the coming days, with many citing a rather arbitrary £34m as the all-important figure. Two attempts from Stamford Bridge to prise the player away for £20m and £26m respectively have been knocked by the Goodison hierarchy.
Martinez admitted last week that all of the attention is affecting his usually unflappable centre half but he is confident that Stones loves playing for Everton enough that he won't be swayed by what is on offer in the Capital with Jose Mourinho and the reigning Premier League Champions.
“He loves Everton," the Catalan says of Stones in The Guardian. "He loves the club and the team and he is an incredible professional, so I don’t think you would ever expect him to sulk.
“He will always react professionally. John is an incredible leader. He will always give everything to the club.”
His value to the present Blues team is enormous but it's dwarfed by his potential role at the club over the next decade where he is seen by management and supporters alike as a long-term leader and captain. That has many wondering why the club would countenance selling him for a sum as low as £30-odd million now when is so important to the way Martinez wants his team to play.
"If I would like to highlight one key partnership in the team it would be John and Phil because you can take risks with those two. They will always find solutions and never get done,” Martinez continued, describing the 21-year-old's performance in the 2-2 draw with Watford on Saturday as "sensational.
"When I see him on the pitch, I feel safe.”
Test of character
Jagielka, meanwhile, says that while his protege is dealing with the press chatter and scrutiny "really well", he admits that it's a test of character for Stones. The ex-Barnsley man has acknowledged the role that his captain played in his development thus far and it will comfort concerned Evertonians to know that Jagielka is helping guide him through his first experience of national exposure and the lure of a big-money move.
"It's not an easy scenario, it is difficult for John," Jagielka tells The Express.
"I have told him to just keep doing what he does because there is a reason why people want to sign him. It is a little bit of test for him now.
"It is a test of character and we all know he has a good character. He is a level headed lad. It is easy for people to let it go to their heads or decide not to be totally committed.
"But if you look at his performance, then he is a good lad and these little tests in his career will make him stronger."
Mourinho mind games?
For his part, Mourinho was sticking to his assertion of last week that he is not thinking about further player acquisitions and refused to be drawn on the newspaper speculation regarding Stones following his own team's 2-2 draw against Swansea on Saturday.
“I know the market is open but the market is closed for me now," he said. “If ... I lose a player before the end of the [transfer] window and I get a new player then OK, but I don’t think about the market now.”
Reader Comments (58)
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2 Posted 10/08/2015 at 07:42:47
To be fair, that's about as unequivocal a statement as you're ever likely to get out of RM.
If we're positive about it, he's determined he stays, so he's really painted the board into a corner. According to this, not only does he want him to stay, but the player himself is not agitating for a move. I'd like to think he's done it deliberately.
Maybe then when he is sold late on during deadline day the fans will start to ask questions. Maybe that's hope more than expectation on my part.
3 Posted 10/08/2015 at 08:18:23
The point I wanted to make is that I see Mario Gotze is desperate to leave Munich and is being linked to Arsenal today. Well, well, well. The golden boy who turned his back on the club, and fans, who adored him for the riches of a "bigger club". I hope players like Gotze continue to rot on the subs bench. One day, just one day perhaps these morons will realise that the grass isn't always greener......
4 Posted 10/08/2015 at 08:24:03
5 Posted 10/08/2015 at 08:24:41
6 Posted 10/08/2015 at 08:56:31
7 Posted 10/08/2015 at 08:58:46
to be fair to Shearer, he did qualify his comment with the words "if, and only if, Everton decide to sell him" and I think that gives him the right to give his opinion. Others, like that slime ball Rio Ferdinand, and a raft of red top journos,bypassed any legitimate say EFC have in the matter, inferring it is solely a decision between John Stones and the suitor club,and that for me puts them in the gutter, where they belong, as it betrays their wish to agitate for the move.
8 Posted 10/08/2015 at 09:02:44
I've turned a new leaf. Normally this kind of comment would see me screaming for the nurse...but alas, I'm a changed, more positive man.
'Serenity now...serenity now.'
9 Posted 10/08/2015 at 09:10:39
Colin @3
You are so right with regards to Goetze, these players these days think the footballing world owes them a more than a lottery win, several times over. I sincerely hope this Shaquiri does not fall into that category, should we eventually get him.
It could be aother Samuel E'to'o, situation that disrupts training and the dressing room. I'l be glad when it shuts, (Transfer Window) providing we get a couple of quality signings in ourselves.
10 Posted 10/08/2015 at 09:24:20
11 Posted 10/08/2015 at 09:27:52
12 Posted 10/08/2015 at 09:34:04
I've never listened to Shearer and thought yes, that's good, never.
Thanks for telling us that Mouriniho is the best manager Alan, but can you tell us anything about the game itself? Jobs for the boys, has it ever been any different?
13 Posted 10/08/2015 at 09:40:06
If Stones is sold on deadline day it will be because he's put in a transfer request 'cos he's a greedy disloyal twat just like Rooney and Arteta before him.
And the board will get away scott free again.
14 Posted 10/08/2015 at 10:10:42
I'm inclined to agree with RM based on that alone.
I'm not so sure Stones will be off ... Just yet!
16 Posted 10/08/2015 at 12:06:43
He can get in and cement an England place playing well at Everton. There are only two things he'd vastly improve his chances of at Chelsea and that's winning trophies and earning a shed load more cash. We'd criticise if he went for the latter and as for trophies yes, who wouldn't like to win them but there have been plenty of players in the past who've stayed where they love (Le Tiss being the highest profile but Shearer himself at Newcastle and our own Tim Cahill spring to mind). He is also nailed on next Club captain at Everton if he stays.
18 Posted 10/08/2015 at 13:35:28
19 Posted 10/08/2015 at 14:01:23
But, as you seem to have an 'inlet' to club news (or possess an excellent crystal ball) - do you know if we have said - "We will not sell him this summer regardless of any offer". ?
And - is he happy to stay? He looked it after Barkley's goal.
And - have we actually bid for Shaqiri?
And (lastly) - who are we actually interested in signing (No 10, central defender, striker).
Sorry if you've been asked all or some of this before.
Thanks.
20 Posted 10/08/2015 at 16:05:53
Our defensive record is becoming a sensational problem! Stones may be sold, but he will not go until the last week of the transfer window. Chelsea know how it works with Everton. If stones is not for sale tell the manager to shut up and concentrate on the pending relegation battle coming up!
21 Posted 10/08/2015 at 16:09:33
More importantly, would you please bring in 3/4 top players now .
22 Posted 10/08/2015 at 16:16:33
23 Posted 10/08/2015 at 16:28:28
Stones is a decent player but not the finished article and I agree Everton's defending is not that good even with him playing.
It's easy to say that down the line he will be a dominant force alongside Jags. or whoever but that's pure speculation and optimism given what has happened to Everton last season and so far this season.
One hopes that RM has some sort of contingency plan if BK accepts a bigger offer ?
It appears Everton have nobody at the club who could step in right now although like Stones, Galloway and Browning have shown promise.
Distin and Alcaraz were let go and maybe that wasn't preventable but RM has failed to get experienced cover for the central defence.
24 Posted 10/08/2015 at 16:42:27
I don't think it's fair to blame Jagielka or Stones for some of the goals we concede based on the above. If anyone's at fault, it's the manager for sending out a team that lines up wide open to the counter attack at all times.
He did it at Wigan, and has no clue about how to send out a team to defend as a unit. All the best teams in world football defend first, and attached second - it's not rocket science.
If Stones goes, we need a defender with pace, otherwise we're jipped.
25 Posted 10/08/2015 at 17:42:25
Along with Mirallas up front (for his maverick, match-winning qualities), I rate John Stones as our most important player right now and would regard selling him as a hugely unambitious, retrograde, defeatist and small-minded thing to do.
Unnecessary too in the light of the £70/80m we allegedly get from Sky?
In very simple terms (and I know all sorts of other factors, such as wages have got to be taken into account), we've only spent £4m of it so far, so surely we do not have to sell any players to balance the books? And especially not the most talented man we have right now.
When Arteta and Fellaini were sold to kick-start the purchase of new players they were past their best and surplus to requirements respectively.
Stones, meanwhile, can be our totem - in the mode of Terry, Gerrard, Keane, Viera - for many years to come.
We cannot afford to let him go for whatever silly money we get offered right now - as, quite simply, he will be worth many more times that to us in the long-term.
The biggest statement of intent I can remember in almost 50 years of supporting Everton needs to be clearly made here.
John Stones is THE most integral part of any successful future Everton have any hopes of aspiring to.
26 Posted 10/08/2015 at 17:47:24
And we need a defender who can head the ball... I wouldn't actually mind seeing Fellaini back for his assured clearances from opposition corners.
27 Posted 10/08/2015 at 17:56:29
I can't help feel RM has said so much about how important Stones is to Everton and what he's trying to do here, that if he was sold, he'd look an absolute fool - surely behind closed doors his comments have been pre-discussed at board level? Surely?
28 Posted 10/08/2015 at 17:57:22
29 Posted 10/08/2015 at 18:10:41
Quite a delusion post there buddy. Moyes never put up a fight? Really? So there was no fighting over Lescott and City, Arteta for years. Jagielka when the likes of Arsenal were showing interest in him. Baines. Moyes never put up a fight, just gladly sold the players?
And who are these "sensational" young players that is all credit to OFM. Colmean, signed by Moyes. Stones, signed by Moyes. Barkley, Everton Academy under Moyes. Mirallas, Moyes.
I look at Martinez and I see Robles, never plays. Barry, plays 90 minutes every match and is old and slow. Alcaraz, just sat on the bench collecting paychecks. Kone, injured for 2 years and is not young. McGeady, never plays. Besic, never plays. Lukaku, always stuck up top on his own with no support.
Then you name Fellaini who Martinez sold to Moyes without putting up a fight.
30 Posted 10/08/2015 at 18:11:06
I hate this predatory market were the super rich clubs think they can just walk over everyone else and no one is allowed to build for the future. I know I'm a dreamer but I really wish that the poorer clubs could come together and agree on a transfer embargo against the filthy rich.
31 Posted 10/08/2015 at 18:21:42
That was awfully mean of you. Upon seeing Gotze's name, I half expected you to give one of your 'you saw it here first' comments.
Oh well, back to expectations Lennon, Gomez (that shite lad from wigan) and some overpriced Koldrup mark 2 on transfer deadline day.
Oh well
32 Posted 10/08/2015 at 18:37:58
Meanwhile all of the club's around us are signing players left, right and centre.
Harry Catterick once said. 'we talk big, we buy big, we are big. God knows what he would say now .
33 Posted 10/08/2015 at 19:18:52
My main gripe is lack of movement in the transfer area. Don't tell me we need to sell Stones to raise the money because I won't believe it. There are good players out there who could be had for buttons but Martinez and our scouts are not looking in the right places.
Shaqiri will be Stoke's 12th signing. The Baggies are about to sign a £15M striker who will probably be able to trap a ball. West Ham, Southampton, Palace, Leicester, Watford, Newcastle and Swansea are bringing players in from all over the place. Most of them are new to the various managers but the clubs are taking the chance. We ought to try doing the same.
34 Posted 10/08/2015 at 19:46:15
Saying this, Mirallas and McCarthy both just signed contract extensions, and I would of imagined that some promises were made on squad improvement. With both looking likely to leave last month (albeit media hype), there must of been something that enticed them to stay.
35 Posted 10/08/2015 at 20:08:55
immensely
world class
fantastic
very brave
magnificent
Now he describes Stones as sensational. Pathetic.
36 Posted 10/08/2015 at 20:17:47
37 Posted 10/08/2015 at 21:02:30
What's the good of keeping hold of players, if the team doesn't get reinforcements? What's become of us?
38 Posted 10/08/2015 at 21:07:45
39 Posted 10/08/2015 at 21:22:00
40 Posted 10/08/2015 at 21:32:20
As for the rest of your post - you absolutely nail it spot on for me - this lad is our Mainstay for years to come.
41 Posted 10/08/2015 at 21:33:31
The Whole Delph to Shity summed up many in football these days
I would like to believe Stones is of better character than that.
42 Posted 10/08/2015 at 21:42:17
43 Posted 10/08/2015 at 21:56:59
44 Posted 10/08/2015 at 21:59:32
He is no where near the finished article and I think he knows it , he is a young lad learning his trade and a big transfer to Chelsea would be massive gamble on his behalf it's just something he not ready for .
I believe he will stay because it's simply too early for him and his agent and the Everton board have a responsibility for his well being and career .
45 Posted 10/08/2015 at 22:14:35
Get the deal done sooner rather than later so we ain't left holding the baby on deadline day. We need some time to get in replacements.
46 Posted 10/08/2015 at 22:36:49
Still want Stones to stay. Excellent prospect who needs to play regularly.
47 Posted 10/08/2015 at 23:00:02
48 Posted 11/08/2015 at 02:32:04
What, that massive risk of sticking two defensive midfielders in front of them?
Come on Roberto, time to break up the Barry & McCarthy partnership and take that risk every now and again (from the 1st minute!)
49 Posted 11/08/2015 at 03:30:49
Or perhaps he's talking about other risks...such as not spending a moment on practicing defending corners.
50 Posted 11/08/2015 at 07:23:02
You couldn't make it up !
51 Posted 11/08/2015 at 07:27:21
He's pretty good now, and only going to get better. If, and the longer he stays, the bigger the "if" gets, if he decides to commit to Everton long term, he will become a legend.
Money's not everything, just about, but not quite.
52 Posted 11/08/2015 at 07:29:25
53 Posted 11/08/2015 at 09:05:34
There's two ways to get the point across if the player is not for sale under any circumstances:- 1. Say "Not for sale under any circumstances". and 2. Do what Palace and Swansea did with Bolaisi and Williams and stick a stupid price tag on his head. There was interest in those two players and they came out and said their value was £25m or something like that. Then it all went quiet as nobody would be willing to pay that. Martinez should have said something like "£100m and he's yours". If they was to then pay that then I'd drive him there myself and name the new staduim the "John Stones Stadium".
54 Posted 11/08/2015 at 09:48:53
55 Posted 11/08/2015 at 10:17:16
'You couldn't make it up !'
Actually I suspect that's exactly what the hacks at the Mirror have done
56 Posted 11/08/2015 at 10:18:40
But these days managers are but one piece in the jigsaw. If the money is right ( and that figure is agreed between the clubs ) and the player wants it, it's sure gonna happen.
The days of player serfdom went out in 1960 - blame Jimmy Hill and George Eastham if you like - but not Roberto in this matter, please !
58 Posted 11/08/2015 at 11:47:16
The Sterling situation was very different to our situation with JS.
Sterling had refused a new contract, signalling his intention to run his existing one down, and then, through his slime ball agent, embarked upon a deliberate campaign to draw LFC into a war of attrition. JS, on the other hand,has in the last 12 months signed a very long term deal at EFC, by today's standards anyway, and has thus far conducted himself in an exemplary manner(as he should) both on and off the pitch. Now I'm not so naïve as to claim that this removes all threat of us losing JS, but it does take away, at least until such time as the player changes his position, one of the main events that brings about a contracted player moving on, i.e. they force it through. In our own recent history, contracted players, Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini, BOTH asked to be allowed to go, and so it came about. Leighton Baines did not agitate for a move, so he stayed. I think two things could bring about Stonesy leaving.
1. EFC receive such an outrageous offer, that THEY persuade JS to enter in negotiations with Chelski or whoever.
2. JS comes out and says he wants to go. If he does that, EFC will undoubtedly start negotiations with suitor clubs in an attempt to kick start a Dutch auction.
There is little point in trying to keep a player who doesn't want to be with us.
I can't think of any recent examples where a Premier League club has been able to hang onto a contracted player who has asked to leave, apart from possibly LFC keeping Suarez for a year longer, but still keeping him out of the hands of an English rival.
59 Posted 11/08/2015 at 12:14:50
"The Baggies are about to sign a £15M striker who will probably be able to trap a ball."
That appealed to my sense of humour - please accept the TIC medal for services to the downcast.
It completely took my mind off the dreadful thought of us selling our best young player.
60 Posted 13/08/2015 at 10:01:21
I'm not sure if this was a re-hash of a previous broadcast but make of it what you will
61 Posted 16/08/2015 at 22:04:46
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1 Posted 10/08/2015 at 07:13:21
With such sensational first choice center halves and 2 holding players in front of them, Martinez should ask himself how we remain a defensive shambles.