Everton manager Roberto Martinez has accused Chelsea of playing dirty in their pursuit of John Stones.
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After Jose Mourinho confirmed publicly he wants Stones, Martinez has let rip at the champions. With Chelsea hopeful of luring Stones to the capital before the start of the season and the champions appearing unperturbed by Everton’s “he’s not for sale” stance, the transfer saga is set to continue. “It is an open market until September 1”.
“I spoke to coach Klinsmann and we had opened lines of communication as recently as last week.”
“Next year we are going to make the first bid on the day after the window closes”.
Martinez said: “First of all, we pride ourselves in playing a certain way and educating our young players in a manner that means they are always going to get attention from elsewhere”. He has also said that he believes next season will be the toughest title race ever and we must be better next season if we are to retain the title.
The Chelsea boss said: “At the moment they say: “We don’t accept this bid”.
“I don’t have to say why I like him and I don’t like to speak about players from other clubs”.
The Stones could be the long-term replacement for John Terry at Stamford Bridge.
“And clearly I would say “no, you don’t go here”, or ‘yes, OK, you go here, but I want to negotiate with that club. I have never been unsettled by what was being said”.
With a second £32million bid seemingly imminent Mourinho has accused Everton of giving out mixed messages over the defender and insists Chelsea have behaved correctly.
Mourinho noted that John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic are past their 30th birthdays, so is keen to build for the future, in reference to interest in the Stones, but does not expect his captain to retire any time soon.
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Chelsea could easily meet Everton’s demands, but Mourinho’s unhelpful claims about Everton being a smaller club will not exactly contribute to a feeling of goodwill if talks comments over a potential transfer. He looks to play from the back and that can only be good for English football that the likes of him are coming through.
