Ex-Arsenal defender speaks out over double Chelsea transfer

Some of the club’s fans paid for a plane carrying a banner calling for the club’s long-standing chairman to make his exit earlier this month as protests against the lack of investment in the transfer market escalated, yet Martinez hopes Kenwright’s stance on Stones will soften opinion towards the club’s hierarchy.

“Every single Evertonian can be extremely proud to keep one of our most treasured younger players and make sure we build a winning team”.

Martínez, having informed his “mixed up” centre back that his transfer request had not been granted, is now faced with the challenge of ensuring that the distraction provoked by Chelsea’s interest has no lasting effect on the England Under-21 defender.

Roberto Martinez has announced that Everton are on the verge of bringing in defender Ramiro Funes Mori and after signing forward Leandro Rodriguez, per Sky Sports (via Daily Express). “I think that the authorities need to look at what has gone on”.

“It’s just a pleasure to play alongside players who have the similar mindset to me, they want to only test themselves against the best players”.

“We gave everything against a Premier League side”. John is under massive, massive pressure and I thought he was terrific.

“Today was a match day, the game was more important”. Changes at full-back – Bryan Ovideo was handed his first start since February and 20-year-old Matthew Pennington his debut – did not help Everton’s defensive stability and they suffered midway through the first half.

The Blues have a history of signing players only to ship them out ahead of future sales, so it remains unclear as to whether or not Linpeng will ever be a Stamford Bridge first-teamer.

While Stones had one of his worst games for some time against his former club the performance of half-time substitute Gerard Deulofeu, in particular, was one of the major positives at Oakwell.

A powerhouse second-half comeback restored parity just before the hour mark, courtesy of fine strikes from Kevin Mirallas and Steven Naismith, but after the latter’s equaliser came the immediate sting. “It was a really good display”.