James mccarthys grow on trees
Was only a matter of time before those links surfaced but do find it a bit amusing that it is from Matt Law - he seems determind to sell Stones for us!http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...er-United-in-John-Stones-transfer-battle.html
Barcelona join Chelsea and Manchester United in John Stones transfer battle
Exclusive: Barca scouts were detailed to watch Stones play for England against Spain, and Gerard Pique named Everton defender in his World XI
John Stones is wanted by many of Europe's biggest clubs Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Matt Law
10:30PM GMT 18 Nov 2015
Barcelona scouts were detailed to watch England’s friendly against Spainin Alicante last week and while there was intrigue over the possibility of seeing the Leicester City striker who is the Premier League’s top goalscorer, it was John Stones they wanted to study against their nation’s best players.
As it turned out, neither Jamie Vardy nor Stones played against Spain, but the central defender’s display in Tuesday’s victory over France will ensure Barcelona continue to monitor his progress.
John Stones impressed for England against France on Tuesday
Just days before facing England with Spain, Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué named Stones as the only Englishman in his World XI in an exclusive interview with The Daily Telegraph.
Piqué’s high praise of “one of a new generation who understand football not just as a defender” is not seen as a coincidence. It is a technique of all of the world’s top clubs to enlist players and staff to try to turn the heads of targets and Piqué’s words certainly served to highlight how highly thought of Stones is at the Nou Camp.
• Pique includes Stones in world dream team
When Everton manager Roberto Martínez informed Stones, 21, that the club would not accept Chelsea’s bid of well over £30 million during the summer, he added that he would one day move somewhere better than Stamford Bridge.
With Chelsea having comfortably won last season’s Premier League title, it was hard to know where Martínez was referring to but it may well be that he had Barcelona in mind – especially given the good relationship that has been fostered between the European champions and Everton over Gerard Deulofeu.
Stones remained at Everton last summer despite bids from Chelsea
Moving abroad so early in his career might be a step Stones is unwilling to take. Another obstacle in the way of Barcelona’s interest would be his fee.
Having seen off repeated bids from Chelsea, Everton will demand over £40 million when they eventually agree to sell and Barcelona do not traditionally pay the biggest money on central defenders.
• Messi is still Barcelona and world number one, says Suarez
Chelsea will almost certainly make another play for Stones, in January or at the end of the season, but they also face major competition from Manchester United.
United have long held an interest in Stones but decided against being drawn into a bidding war with Chelsea in the summer. That will now change, however, with the player moving higher and higher up their list of targets.
Gerard Pique has been very impressed with the Everton defender
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho still blames many of the difficulties his side have encountered on the failure to sign Stones. The Portuguese believes a ball-playing central defender would have relieved the pressure on midfield duo Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas, and given the team a better balance.
Stones again demonstrated his ability on the ball against France and made it clear he would not compromise by simply playing safe when faced with top opponents.
• Berahino added to Chelsea transfer targets
“You’ve got to keep doing what you know and not go into your shell,” said Stones. “That’s the only way I’m going to improve, by taking risks sometimes, and the France game was a great opportunity to do that and to showcase myself.”
Mourinho will now be concerned that Chelsea could have missed their big opportunity to land Stones as United are capable of outbidding them and the summer saga has left a bitter taste in Everton mouths.
Jose Mourinho was furious Chelsea didn't sign Stones in the summer
Despite handing in a transfer request to try to force through a move to Chelsea, Stones has proved with his performances that he remains happy at Everton and there is now a feeling that he will be best served by seeing out the season at Goodison Park.
There is also no prospect of Stones letting all the interest go to his head before next summer’s European Championship.
He responded to Martínez’s claim that he would one day captain England by saying: “I smile at first and probably forget by the next day. That’s a good thing because it doesn’t play on my mind as much as it could. It’s so humbling to hear that from my manager and from a lot of peers that say it as well and, hopefully, in the future that can come true.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...er-United-in-John-Stones-transfer-battle.html
Barcelona join Chelsea and Manchester United in John Stones transfer battle
Exclusive: Barca scouts were detailed to watch Stones play for England against Spain, and Gerard Pique named Everton defender in his World XI
John Stones is wanted by many of Europe's biggest clubs Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Matt Law
10:30PM GMT 18 Nov 2015
Barcelona scouts were detailed to watch England’s friendly against Spainin Alicante last week and while there was intrigue over the possibility of seeing the Leicester City striker who is the Premier League’s top goalscorer, it was John Stones they wanted to study against their nation’s best players.
As it turned out, neither Jamie Vardy nor Stones played against Spain, but the central defender’s display in Tuesday’s victory over France will ensure Barcelona continue to monitor his progress.
John Stones impressed for England against France on Tuesday
Just days before facing England with Spain, Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué named Stones as the only Englishman in his World XI in an exclusive interview with The Daily Telegraph.
Piqué’s high praise of “one of a new generation who understand football not just as a defender” is not seen as a coincidence. It is a technique of all of the world’s top clubs to enlist players and staff to try to turn the heads of targets and Piqué’s words certainly served to highlight how highly thought of Stones is at the Nou Camp.
• Pique includes Stones in world dream team
When Everton manager Roberto Martínez informed Stones, 21, that the club would not accept Chelsea’s bid of well over £30 million during the summer, he added that he would one day move somewhere better than Stamford Bridge.
With Chelsea having comfortably won last season’s Premier League title, it was hard to know where Martínez was referring to but it may well be that he had Barcelona in mind – especially given the good relationship that has been fostered between the European champions and Everton over Gerard Deulofeu.
Stones remained at Everton last summer despite bids from Chelsea
Moving abroad so early in his career might be a step Stones is unwilling to take. Another obstacle in the way of Barcelona’s interest would be his fee.
Having seen off repeated bids from Chelsea, Everton will demand over £40 million when they eventually agree to sell and Barcelona do not traditionally pay the biggest money on central defenders.
• Messi is still Barcelona and world number one, says Suarez
Chelsea will almost certainly make another play for Stones, in January or at the end of the season, but they also face major competition from Manchester United.
United have long held an interest in Stones but decided against being drawn into a bidding war with Chelsea in the summer. That will now change, however, with the player moving higher and higher up their list of targets.
Gerard Pique has been very impressed with the Everton defender
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho still blames many of the difficulties his side have encountered on the failure to sign Stones. The Portuguese believes a ball-playing central defender would have relieved the pressure on midfield duo Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas, and given the team a better balance.
Stones again demonstrated his ability on the ball against France and made it clear he would not compromise by simply playing safe when faced with top opponents.
• Berahino added to Chelsea transfer targets
“You’ve got to keep doing what you know and not go into your shell,” said Stones. “That’s the only way I’m going to improve, by taking risks sometimes, and the France game was a great opportunity to do that and to showcase myself.”
Mourinho will now be concerned that Chelsea could have missed their big opportunity to land Stones as United are capable of outbidding them and the summer saga has left a bitter taste in Everton mouths.
Jose Mourinho was furious Chelsea didn't sign Stones in the summer
Despite handing in a transfer request to try to force through a move to Chelsea, Stones has proved with his performances that he remains happy at Everton and there is now a feeling that he will be best served by seeing out the season at Goodison Park.
There is also no prospect of Stones letting all the interest go to his head before next summer’s European Championship.
He responded to Martínez’s claim that he would one day captain England by saying: “I smile at first and probably forget by the next day. That’s a good thing because it doesn’t play on my mind as much as it could. It’s so humbling to hear that from my manager and from a lot of peers that say it as well and, hopefully, in the future that can come true.”
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