Sometimes we reach a tipping point during a transfer saga and it then seems inevitable that the deal will go ahead.

Whether Everton like it or not, I think we’ve reached that stage in the long running John Stones to Chelsea story.

The player himself seems set on moving to the Barclays Premier League champions, with the young versatile defender handing in a transfer request this week.

That move from the England international puts the club in a tricky spot. They obviously don’t want to be seen as a selling club and want to keep talented young stars like Stones, but can they really reject a huge transfer fee for a player who has now put it on the record that he wants out of Goodison?

We’ve seen at Manchester United and at West Bromwich Albion with David de Gea and Saido Berahino, that the players heads get turned and that they are then not in the right frame of mind to play on for their current employers, when interest arrives from other sides.

Now Everton could hold Stones to his contract, he has four years remaining on that deal after all, but will he play with the same attitude or commitment?

Even if he does, a few mistakes and he’ll be hounded by the fans for not caring and for wanting out. The trust is pretty much gone. Even teammates will look at him differently now.

I feel for the Toffees, I really do, but I cannot help but think they’ll now be better off just getting rid of the international defender and banking that vast transfer fee.

Reports to suggest that Chelsea are set to make a fourth and final offer of £40m for the centre-back. I think that is the price tag that should see Everton bending to the players will and selling the twenty-one year old.

Surely Toffees boss Roberto Martinez will have already earmarked possible replacements with the Merseyside on the verge of bringing in Argentine central defender Ramiro Funes Mori from River Plate. You’d imagine that another centre-back with European experience or at least a defender with Premier League pedigree will also be brought in.

The money from the Stones deal would also help the Spaniard find that new exciting number ten, that he seems desperate to sign this summer!

Let’s face it, getting £40m for a defender is still huge for any club. John Stones is good but we really don’t know if he’s worth that.

So at the end of the day, Everton should do business with Chelsea and get rid of a player who clearly now wants to leave. Then spend that cash and improve the whole squad!

These days the football players have most of the power and when their heart is set on going, teams are better off getting as much money for them as possible and saying ‘Ta-ra’.

 

Posted on August 26th, 2015 by scott
Filed under: Article