Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
Martinez aims to keep Stones and add three more

Stones was in typically impressive form against Manchester City today in the Blues' otherwise disappointing 2-0 defeat and the Goodison Board have no intention of selling the defender so close to the deadline.
Director Jon Woods was asked by a fan whether Everton would definitely not be selling Stones and he said: “I won’t sell him, Bill won’t sell him, because there aren’t many days to go.”
Martinez was similarly insistent that Everton will not be allowing the 21-year-old to leave saying after the game: "That's the plan. We have enjoyed his development and the way he has grown in the last two seasons.
"He just puts a smile on your face when you see John Stones defending. He is an incredible footballer and to be able to organise the way he does and control things at such a young age shows the type of footballer he is. I thought he was outstanding."
Martinez still needs defensive reinforcements following the departures of Antolin Alcaraz and Sylvain Distin earlier this summer and he is hopeful of finalising a deal for Ramiro Funes Mori who is waiting on a work permit before he can put pen to paper on his contract.
"This is a player who has won the Copa Libertadores with River Plate," Martinez said after the match against City. "He is 24 and a left-footed centre half with a winning mentality who will fit the squad extremely well.
"You don't get many opportunities to bring in a player who has won the Copa Libertadores. We are well advanced with that deal otherwise we wouldn't have permission to have him at the game."
"It's not done. He's here, we have to meet over the next 24 hours and see if we can conclude a deal with his club.
“I expect a couple of signings to happen. But there is no news in anything specific, because nothing has been concluded. I expect to complete three signings before the window closes.”
@EvertonArentWe that Leandro Rodriguez was sat next to me today with his 2 agents pic.twitter.com/LI5iJ1jSRo
— Alex Downing (@AlexDowning1) August 23, 2015
The second signing is expected to be striker Leandro Rodriguez who was also in attendance at Goodison Park today. The 22-year-old, who holds an Italian passport so would present no work permit problems, is expected to cost around £1m from River Plate Montevideo in Uruguay.
Big question marks remain over the marquee signing Evertonians were hoping for this week, however, with the Liverpool Echo posting a report 15 minutes before kick-off today suggesting that Everton have pulled out of a deal to sign Andriy Yarmolenko from Dynamo Kiev.
A deal was believed to have been agreed between the two clubs but the final negotiations over payment terms could have stalled if this report is to be believed. The Echo claim that Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian play-maker Bernard could be the new target, while also suggesting that Adnan Januzaj is back on the radar.
The Daily Mail blame late interest from Roma for the breakdown in Everton's talks over the 25-year-old's proposed move but Ukrainian sources say this isn't the case.
Reader Comments (69)
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2 Posted 23/08/2015 at 20:57:48
I'm still hoping for the Yarmolenko deal to be salvaged, although I'm not holding my breath and also depending on Stones, if he goes I want Van Djik in.
I'd also not complain about Lennon and a decent goalie like David Marshall or Tom Heaton of Burnley to take over from Howard.
I think you can now add a left back, even on loan if necessary to that wishlist.
As I say though, holding my breath I certainly won't be!!
3 Posted 23/08/2015 at 20:59:38
5 Posted 23/08/2015 at 21:12:40
6 Posted 23/08/2015 at 21:16:20
There's no way Ashley Cole would come back to the Premier League, certainly not up North, not unless it was City or United offering him silly money.
7 Posted 23/08/2015 at 21:24:40
And can we keep Stones? I would love him to be lining up against Chelsea in a few weeks time. But has his head been turned? Who knows what really is going on at Everton?
Sorry people, showing my age here, but I'm still unhappy we sold Alan Ball.
8 Posted 23/08/2015 at 21:29:44
9 Posted 23/08/2015 at 21:34:26
10 Posted 23/08/2015 at 21:38:25
What a load of shite!
11 Posted 23/08/2015 at 21:39:23
12 Posted 23/08/2015 at 21:48:41
For what it's worth, the Echo are now saying we are after Januzaj, but they don't seem to have a clue and are just throwing names around like confetti today.
13 Posted 23/08/2015 at 21:54:37
The Echo, rumours, failed bids for guys we had no hope of getting, from Shaqiri, to Yarmolenko to being favourites to sign Charlie Austin, it's all just dying on its feet.
We will be lucky to add anymore after these two River Plate lads.
14 Posted 23/08/2015 at 21:59:20
16 Posted 23/08/2015 at 22:03:48
17 Posted 23/08/2015 at 22:11:44
I'm not even going to build my hopes up we bring him in now. I remember Moyes trying to get a permit for a young African player, a winger if I remember right, on loan from an Italian club, possibly Inter Milan, and he had more caps than Mori but we failed to get the paperwork and green light to sign him.
18 Posted 23/08/2015 at 22:13:33
19 Posted 23/08/2015 at 22:13:56
20 Posted 23/08/2015 at 22:20:25
This club really is farcical at times.
21 Posted 23/08/2015 at 22:26:57
22 Posted 23/08/2015 at 22:35:23
Newcastle have spent 㿞 million so far without any money coming in. Villa have taken in 㿔 million but have spent 㿨 million so far. Most other clubs are over Â㿀 million and even newly promoted clubs have spent much more than we have.
I agree about the Yarmolenko deal, it was probably all about selling Stones. So BK has told Roberto that if he wants to keep Stones then it will be just a pittance to spend.Who on earth is this Uruguayan? We could have gone for Ayew on a free and he is known.
As a long-standing Evertonian I despair at the club’s amateurish ways of doing business. I am embarrassed that a club of our size is reduced to picking at whatever bargain basement dross is left. BK will be asking for change soon. :(
23 Posted 23/08/2015 at 22:44:00
Jon woods on John Stones
"I won't sell him, Bill Kenwright won't sell him"
#efc pic.twitter.com/qFDGeUfwOx
— DeulOviedo (@deuloviedo) August 23, 2015
24 Posted 23/08/2015 at 22:46:06
25 Posted 23/08/2015 at 22:49:35
26 Posted 23/08/2015 at 22:54:34
I'm pretty certain we will keep Stones this season with the Euro's coming up. After that he will be able to pick his next move as I'm sure Man Utd will join the chase for him one of these days and you would think that as a supporter they would be a more attractive proposition than Chelsea. I know they haven't had the best of times since Ferguson left but they're still one of the biggest teams in the world and in the Champions League every season. They really could do with someone like Stones too. Of course my hope is for Everton to have a cracking season and make it in the CL so that he doesn't want to leave, but I'm realistic enough to realise we may not hold onto him indefinitely.
I think a move to Chelsea would be premature and could risk his place as a starter for the Euro's. Everyone at Everton seems intent on keeping him and Stones himself has made no noises about wanting out. If he really wanted to go he would have made spoken out by now! The lad doesn't strike me as cynical in any way and I can't see him suddenly dropping a bombshell on September 1st.
The nightmare scenario is no Yarmalenko and a Stones exit on deadline day followed by the last minute arrival of Evans. I think there would be real unrest then and I can't see the board allowing that to happen. We're not desperate for the cash and we will spend some of the TV cash on at least one big name. I just hope that it's not the case that Yarmalenko is demanding a wage structure busting deal and the wrangling is over his fee. If the transfer fee is the sticking point I'm sure we are just driving a hard bargain, but will pay what is necessary to get it over the line, even if we have to take leave it until the deadline.
27 Posted 23/08/2015 at 23:06:42
29 Posted 24/08/2015 at 00:39:14
(1) Get right away from the Premier League and find someone who is a complete stranger to RM.
(2) There are good players in obscure leagues all around the world. Let's find one or two.
30 Posted 24/08/2015 at 03:31:25
A very creditable performance against a 300m quid outfit at the top of their game; Stones still onside (screw the tabloids), Mirallas back fit ready for next game?; Howard played well (near post blooper aside); good camaraderie in the ranks, back-up centre-back of promise close to signing; Potential gem unearthed (note potential as an acknowledged strategy we have to accept); Yarmolenko deal not quite dead in the water albeit seemingly so (therefore we have to write off the dealbrokers without knowing the state of the discussion); Roberto still in pursuit of his stated goals (the doom merchants still giving premature negative messages).
Look on the upside please and be patient.
31 Posted 24/08/2015 at 04:01:57
32 Posted 23/08/2015 at 07:31:37
We need to be patient, support the team and I do believe that we will have 5 new additions to the squad who will all be international class to add to this squad over the course of this window. We already have two very good acquisitions.
The strategy is clear, leave space for the youth to come through, be creative with loans etc and then splash out on a Rom or similar one per couple of transfer windows.
Even if you have Champions League football £60M burning in your pocket, you cannot get the players you want that easily. Ask Arsene...
The two South Americans fit and add to the squad nicely in the context of the squad and team showing progression again yesterday, against what I see as a runaway Champions elect; it will all be over in 2-3 months of this season if Silva keeps fit.
The Squad after 5 Windows with RM is shaping much younger and some great potential promise, if we keep right behind this manager, this team and (dare I say before I have to get my tin hat) the Strategy and calm persistence of BK and the board.
33 Posted 24/08/2015 at 09:22:07
34 Posted 24/08/2015 at 09:37:35
We shouldn't be looking at two lads from South America for answers; one of whom is playing at the equivalent of Championship level, and the other one lower than that. Our manager is that arrogant, he thinks that we are Wigan and he can try and replicate what didn't work there at our club.
I am actually disgusted in the players we are linked with (Yarmolenko aside). And we all knew that wasn't going to happen, didn't we?
35 Posted 24/08/2015 at 11:51:21
37 Posted 24/08/2015 at 12:54:24
38 Posted 24/08/2015 at 14:52:14
Our 1st eleven is pretty strong at the moment with Cleverley, Kone and Barkley being creative and not losing possession in the final third.
Lukaku needs a back-up in case of injury. He didn't fare too well against City and their organised defence but put in a good shift. I've given up worrying about his dodgy footwork. It ain't gonna change. He'll still bang a few in.
People are screaming for Howard to go and they may be right. He could be faulted with the goals but so could half a dozen of his team-mates. He did manage one or two amazing saves. One with his face. Okay, he's very scary with time to think but RM will stay with him.
The left back situation is a serious temporary blip. With Baines, Garbutt, Oviedo and Galloway on the books, we're not likely to sign anyone which would rule out shouts for Ben Gibson and Andy Robertson. We'll just have to keep our fingers crossed.
So, as you have noted, who is this guy who will come straight in and improve the 1st team? Easier said than done. Certain RM players are set in stone. No names needed. They will not be moved to the bench.
For me it can only be a younger, more skilful version of Kone. Funny thing is. Leandro Rodrigues is exactly that. Granted, he'll need strengthening in the gym and brought up to speed but I'm very hopeful.
I can't have Bernard or Januzaj, who is a nuisance to his own team-mates, which leaves Yarmalenko, a player who would improve most teams. Goodness knows where he would play. The LB position is vacant and Kone doesn't mind the bench. Everywhere else is fully occupied. Maybe he can play in goal.
39 Posted 24/08/2015 at 15:48:47
STONES LATEST
Regarding any potential arrivals at Stamford Bridge, we are still waiting to see if Chelsea will go back in with a fourth bid for Everton defender John Stones by the way folks, but we will keep you updated on any movement with this deal...
Hardly worth typing really.
40 Posted 24/08/2015 at 16:49:13
41 Posted 24/08/2015 at 17:11:22
Well said. It is.
42 Posted 24/08/2015 at 17:30:22
Hmmmm...
43 Posted 24/08/2015 at 17:56:21
44 Posted 24/08/2015 at 18:10:38
They say he has neither the physicality nor the mentality to play in the Premier League.
Happy days.
45 Posted 24/08/2015 at 18:12:51
47 Posted 24/08/2015 at 18:48:13
49 Posted 25/08/2015 at 03:20:15
50 Posted 25/08/2015 at 04:54:59
I am afraid he makes Ossie look like a carthorse.
I only wish we were after and could afford a "David Silva"...
51 Posted 25/08/2015 at 13:06:16
52 Posted 25/08/2015 at 13:25:19
Even the lesser-spotted Jon Woods was apparently asked by a fan about it at the weekend, and said "We aren't selling".
So now the only mystery is just who are we going to buy? In the meantime, the press are getting ever more desperate to be able to run their "As we exclusively told you... " line and sell Stones...
55 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:25:36
56 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:26:24
57 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:29:26
58 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:29:30
59 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:30:13
60 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:30:29
61 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:31:04
62 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:31:51
The lure of the big money, big club and Champions league.
I say do the deal now and let's move on as he will be no use to Everton in this frame of mind.
63 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:35:31
If's it even true that is... the media have seen it as a personal front to their big 4ism that Everton even had the nerve to turn down the earlier bids.
65 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:35:52
66 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:39:56
67 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:41:09
68 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:43:07
69 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:43:51
I say tell him no and honour your contract. He'll fall into line.
70 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:44:36
71 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:45:51
72 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:46:05
I agree he has no loyalty to us but then why call him a little prick and talk about people being proud to play for us?
73 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:49:16
The England defender informed Roberto Martinez, the Everton manager, last week that he wishes to join Chelsea if possible, but the Merseyside club have maintained a firm stance that he is not for sale. Stones is now contemplating whether to go a step further by officially requesting a transfer, even though Martinez has stated publicly that such a move would make no difference.
So there.
74 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:50:15
76 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:53:04
77 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:53:07
78 Posted 25/08/2015 at 16:53:12
Of course you would. Loyalty has nothing to do with it.
82 Posted 25/08/2015 at 17:25:15
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1 Posted 23/08/2015 at 20:49:32