Everton have completed the signing of highly-rated defender Mason Holgate from Barnsley for an undisclosed fee. Stones has not given any indication that he wants a move to Chelsea FC so if he has done so it was behind closed doors.
Advertisement
The Premier League champions have already had bids of £20m and £26m rejected for Stones, with a third bid for the 21-year-old rumoured to be expected anytime soon. Mason, already at 18, has played 20 games in League One, which shows his incredible potential.
Everton are adamant that he is not for sale, but former Arsenal player and current Sky Sports pundit believes Stones should make the switch for the good of his career.
Holgate is a product of the same Oakwell academy as Stones, who the Toffees’ signed for from Barnsley for £3million in January 2013. Personally Stones has impressed me with his composure, touch and tackling ability, and has plenty of potential to become a world class defender in future.
Chelsea and Everton are now embroiled in a bitter transfer saga over Stones, with managers Jose Mourinho and Roberto Martinez engaged in a war of words over the issues. John Terry still has at least two seasons of leading Chelsea after superb performances since Mourinho’s return to the hotseat, and has formed a strong connection to centre-back partner Gary Cahill, who has also established himself as England’s number one choice.
“He is very important player for us and we are looking forward to seeing the best of John over the next few seasons, not just the next few weeks”. He only made 22 senior appearances for the Reds last season!
“Another club is making a statement in the press so openly and I don’t think that is the way we would do it at Everton”, Martinez said.
Stones signed five-year contract with Toffees last year that will keep him at Goodison Park until 2019.
Still, if a player has made his mind up that he will leave a club then there is little that will stop him.
It’s certainly going to be interesting to see where the youngster is playing come the start of September….
Advertisement
Roberto Martinez says Mason Holgate’s has an “impressive future” after he completed a move to Everton.
