According to reports in talkSPORT, Roberto Martinez had confirmed that Merseyside club Everton will reject John Stones’ transfer request. The England international featured in the Toffee’s extra-time win over Barnsley on Wednesday night and was at fault for the opening goal. Further, the 21-year-old superstar himself handed in a transfer request on Tuesday, as he looks to complete his move to Chelsea though Everton confirmed on Twitter that it won’t be happening anytime soon.
Also, Martinez had previously said, “We have not rejected the transfer request – yet. We will do it in the morning.” Stones was really poor, as the Premier League outfit found themselves 2-0 down at half-time at Oakwell, as goals from Kevin Mirallas, Steven Naismith and Romelu Lukaku help them seal a 5-3 win. Martinez added in his post-match press conference, “The situation with John is very clear. We care about him, we will protect him and make sure we give him everything we can to allow him to enjoy his football.”
“Clearly we have got to a point – in life and football – when sometimes money can’t buy everything and I think that is going to be a very strong statement at Everton. We have a chairman [Bill Kenwright] who will do the right thing for the club and for the team and we are clear he will not be easily influenced in taking the money and accepting things which will clearly make our team weaker. This is not a moment of the campaign when we can use any money to get us stronger.”
Further, Bill Kenwright confirmed that the defensive superstar’s transfer request was rejected and a club statement read as, “Everton Football Club has rejected a transfer request from John Stones. Since the start of the transfer window, we have resolutely turned down offers from another Premier League football club for our player.John is not for sale and he will remain a highly valued member of our first team squad.”