Chelsea target John Stones is going through a transfer saga that unfortunately for him is being played out like a soap opera.
Everton have rejected several bids in the hope of hanging on to their star defender, but the persistence of Chelsea has turned Stones' head and the allure of Champions League football forced the young English international to hand in a transfer request. Roberto Martinez confirmed that Everton had rejected the request and reiterated that he is not for sale, also picking Stones for a Capital One Cup match against Barnsley, which didn't exactly go to plan.
Stones was criticised for his defending as Barnsley took the Premier League side all the way to extra time before Everton won 5-3, and things only got worse for the lad from there.
Everton fans abused Stones and called him a "rat" as he left Oakwell:
#johnstones #Everton #EFC #football pic.twitter.com/82dktNMaWf
— BIRKSEY (@Sickmick123) August 27, 2015
Stones then had another encounter with Everton fans later on at a service station:
Stones and Naismith pic.twitter.com/oepa6Gf9b8
— joey (@joeydicko9) August 26, 2015
The above video doesn't show much, but tweets from the Everton fans suggest that they asked Stones numerous questions about his future, only for him to starting crying before eventually being pulled away by teammate Stevie Naismith:
Just seen Stones in the services there, everyone asking him whats happened and hes started crying. Madness.
— Jacob (@Jacob_1878) August 26, 2015
Mate was in the services with Stones. He said: 'We know it's the board and not you'. He started crying and was pulled away by Naismith.
— School of Science (@SOS1878) August 26, 2015
@PaulDaly90 yes and he wouldn't answer. Started crying and walked away. Naismith then said he's not aloud to say
— Jordan Ashcroft (@JordanEFC94) August 26, 2015
Chelsea want him, presumably to repalce John Terry, where he will play Champions League football this season and be in the picture for a Premier League title. Everton would in turn be receiving upwards of £40m, so to accuse Stones of being a rat is surely out of order. Look at the career Gary Cahill has carved out for himself, as since leaving Bolton he's won almost everything there is to win in European football. It's not like Stones wants a pay-rise.
It will be interesting to see if Chelsea can pry Stones from Everton, but if he does stay, then calling him a rat and chasing him into a service station probably isn't the best way to make him feel wanted.
Clips via [101GG]
