Roberto Martinez: ‘John Stones is not for sale’

Chelsea have had several bids for Stones rejected and Toffees manager Roberto Martinez has been adamant the last few days about keeping the talented English defender.

The manager is determined to keep the 21-year-old at Goodison Park.

“I have said before the player is not for sale and that is the end of it”, he said.

Chelsea are interested in the defender as John Terry isn’t getting any younger at 34-years-old.

Rising star Mason Holgate thanked Barnsley yesterday for his “incredible years” at the club as a move to Everton finally happened.

The England centre-back has been the subject of intense speculation over a move to Chelsea, with the Blues launching three big-money bids in attempt to land the young England worldwide, with the most recent reportedly close to £30million.

Martinez told the club’s official website: “With Mason, an opportunity came up and we didn’t want to lose out”.

‘Mason, at 18, has already played 20 games in League One and that shows the potential he has, ‘ he said on Thursday morning.

Holgate has made 22 senior appearances for Barnsley since making his debut last December.

Roberto Martinez insists Everton are not a selling club and won’t be pressured into selling John Stones.

However, if Everton do agree to sell it will be interesting to see if Man Utd step-up their interest and decide to rival Chelsea for his signature. Of course, he had just suffered relegation with Wigan, but only after winning the FA Cup for a club whose subsequent demise says much about their essential over-achievement.

“Whenever you come up against a team that has been promoted that has confidence in themselves and in each other, it’s an important chemistry to the side. It gets drilled into them from an early age and Mason is the same, very comfortable on the ball and able to play off both feet although he’s naturally right-footed”.