Chelsea told to break transfer record for rising star

The Premier League champions have made contact over the possibility of signing Stones, but Everton are adamant he will not be sold.

The Daily Mail are reporting that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho sees Stones as a natural successor to ageing captain John Terry who will turn 35 next season. John Terry – despite being one of Chelsea’s star performers last season – isn’t getting any younger and won’t have many more years at the top left. That is why they have been able to resist bids for Leighton Baines, Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy over recent months and years. However, Stones’ impressive return shows he is capable of performing his defensive responsibilities with aplomb. Friday’s first session saw Kenedy added to the first-team group with his club Fluminese giving the 19-year-old permission to join up with the champions ahead of an imminent £6.3million move to Stamford Bridge.

“That is not the way we would do it at Everton, we would not speak of a player who is registered at another club and there is no issue from our point of view – John Stones is an Everton player”.

Stones, who has four senior England caps, played for his country at the European Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic in June. Having been on the Three Lions’ standby list for the 2014 World Cup, a solid campaign on Merseyside could see him guarantee a place in the 23-man squad next summer.

Stones is a wonderful talent but it is questionable whether Chelsea is the right move for him.

Indeed, seeing a tweet from an Everton supporter suggesting John Stones should remain at Goodison Park for another season in order to develop his game, Marsh responded by suggesting it hasn’t done Ross Barkley any favours. Everton fans will now look to take comfort in the youngster’s words.

Asked about the flood of reports yesterday that Everton had knocked back a £20m offer for the talented 21-year-old, the manager expressed his disappointment with Chelsea’s conduct.