Report: Contract talks planned for Stones

Regards Stones, this is most likely protecting our asset. As much as I would like to for the likes Andy Gray to eat his words, I do think it is only a matter of time before he wears a new club crest... oh well we do have Mason Holgate to look forward to...

I like Oviedo but it's hard to see him getting much playing time with Baines, Garbutt, and Galloway around. He's adequate at playing left midfield but not really my first choice. Would hate to see him go for free but I'm not sure how much we can afford to pay him.

Besic has been great recently and probably deserves a new contract.

I’d offer Besic a new contract but not while his stock is at an all time high. Wait and see how he performs over a sustained period and evaluate it then.

We should be careful with the Stones situation. If we offer him new terms and he rejects them the media will get wind of it and press the issue even harder than before.

Besic, too

Stones put in a transfer request before. So we'll see there.

Why on earth would you not give a new contract? It is good business as it drives up the price any potential suitor has to pay the longer the contract remaining.

It is satisfying that young, talented players want to come to Goodison instead of signing for a top four club and sitting on the bench.

Have they, the Yanks, told us to get them signed up, before they buy or have they already pulled out or are we just rewarding our players for their efforts – of course that rules out Oviedo as we haven’t seen much of his efforts lately.

Either way, it makes sense to try and tie up both Stones and Besic at market rates.

He's a great prospect, but that's the point, prospect, his defending is not in the same league as his ability to bring the ball out. His prime job should be to defend (Martinez might like to think about that) and I don't think it's a coincidence that our best defensive performance came when he wasn't playing CB this week. Jags is a much more solid centre half.

If another club is daft enough to give us £40m+ for him, bite their hand off.

But it does mean more money for Stones's own back pocket.

I don't think the Yank owners will have put stipulations while in due diligence on the contracts of current players.

They may have a plan, pending takeover, to do just that. But to say, "we want you to do XYZ with this player's contract" before they've signed papers would fall on deaf ear I'd think.

It is possible they're so far into advanced negotiations and things are going so swimmingly that the current management team at Everton is comfortable acquiescing to requests? But if I were Everton I'd politely tell them we'd be running the Club the way we deem fit until they sign.

And then in a friendly fashion say, "but we'll take it under advisement and definitely look into it for you."

Who knows...

Besic is a class act and I hope he stays first choice even when McCarthy is fit again.

Stones, I can't see staying. Lukaku as well unless we are top 5/6 minimum which is highly unlikely on current form.

Agreed. Same can be said of defenders in general. If we sign Byram, we have Baines Stones Jags and Coleman as back four. Waiting in the wings Oviedo, Garbutt, Galloway, Holgate, Foulds, Browning, Pennington, Funes Mori, Byram, Kenny. Given that the starters are good for at least a few more years, we are keeping a lot of people on the payroll that can expect to get very little action in the next few years.

Similar story with strikers. RM doesn’t seem to trust anyone but Lukaku and Stones but he’s stockpiling players that based on their lack of first team involvement are quite cutting the mustard. McAleny, Byrne, Henen, Rodriguez, Duffus, now the Swiss lad.

Give Stones a contract at the very least it will mean we get another season out of him and who knows with investment we could push top 4 next season.

Besic is Besic, give him a new deal as he and McCarthy will become our CM pairing for possibly the next 5 years.

Not mentioned in the article but we have Osman, Pienaar, Gibson and Hibbo out of contract in the summer, what do people think on them? For me I would get Ossie for 1 more year and retain Hibbo as a youth coach, move the others out.

Stones? Don't know where we are with this lad. Does he prefer to move elsewhere? I knock his lack of urgency but his ability on the ball is second to none. Being unsettled is not helping his performances and he'll just have to try and block things out till the summer. Not easy for one so young and inexperienced. A higher wage will help keep him here but if he wants to move on we won't try to stop him.

Besic and Stones obviously have to command something lucrative as they are undoubted talents with many years to offer but anything can happen as Stones in particular may want a team ready to play in Champions League which Everton are not.

Well I like my centre back to have these attributes in this order:

Aerial strength
Pace
Muscularity
Organisation
Bravery
Leadership
Passing range
Two footedness
Intelligence

If he has all those things and he can 'bring the ball out' then fine, that's a £50m man but Stones doesn't.

What does bringing the ball out of the 18 yard box actually achieve anyway? Unless he's going to dribble the length of the pitch he has to give it to Barkley etc and I'd be happier with a fella who can defend and then pass it.

I think it’s more than just ’bringing the ball out’ that makes Stones appealing to the sort of clubs who can afford to shell out £50M. It’s his all round composure, confidence and coolness on the ball. The fact he wasn’t phased at all by making the step up to Premier League football. His young age, with centre halves usually improving as they gain experience and know how. The fact he’s also English inevitably whacks a premium on there as well. The sensible hair cut probably doesn’t hurt either.

He’s by no means the finished article, but it would take a brave blind man (think Daredevil, Rutger Hauer in that film where he uses a samurai sword, or Richard Pryor in See No Evil, Hear No Evil) to deny he’s got a very bright future ahead of him...

I know why he’s so well thought of and yes, I see it too but, apart from it being attractive to the eye, what does his composure (and sensible haircut) actually achieve?

He doesn’t do anything around the opponent's penalty area; his composure is on the ball around our area and, while it definitely sets him apart from other defenders, there is no significant value to it.

He doesn’t score headers or drill them in from 40 yards; he just doesn’t lose it or pass it when he has it at the back... That’s very impressive but not THAT useful defensively of offensively.

Don't get me wrong, I like him and think he has a great future but he doesn’t yet show the sort of composed DEFENDING that Rio Ferdinand used to.

Anyway, I hope he stays or we get top dollar.

Stones getting a new deal should benefit him wages wise, but should not include any sort of buy-out clause.

Besic should be massively tied down and treated with respect as he’s an asset for us going forward.

Oviedo is a good little utility player who fills in at right back and left midfield, he’s never really likely to regain the left-back slot as Baines is head and shoulders above him, and we have Galloway and Garbutt for the future.

Good point, well made.

I get frustrated how easily so many mark Oviedo as some sort of sicknote. Class player with massive versatility who took one for the team. Massive courage and desire to get back and still recovering. Sign him as we owe him and he will not let us down, awesome in all respects.

Either ways, given that all three of them – Baines, Garbutt and Oveido are attacking-minded, I don’t see why we don’t explore the option of having two of them play down that flank? It certainly beats having Kone there!!!

Pienaar is due to retire, and Osman will only do a functional job there. Cleverley seems to do well there, but he will do better in a central midfield. Oviedo could double up as a right back (as we have seen), so his contract is worth renewing.

Besic, on the other hand, is an essential element towards a really effective midfield and, to me, a must to retain.

In general, we are carrying too many players well past their best who are blocking the progresses of the next generation.

Quality on the ball and distribution on the main excellent once he’s mastered his positional sense will become world class. Regardless of a new contract he’ll be gone in the Summer.

For all his class and calmness on the ball, the defence he’s part of has been a shambles at home and I felt a good deal more confidence in the Distin + Jags partnership of a season or two back than Stones + Funes Mori.

Obviously I’d prefer to keep him, but I think he’s far easier to replace with someone competent at a lower cost than Rom.

Top class defender, we want to be top club so keeping him is a must.

Some people have said ’defenders are easy to replace’. I would say this is absolute nonsense. Look at Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd. They’ve had immense trouble in replacing their previous solid defences, despite throwing money at it. Look at Man City's difficulty whenever Kompany is out, despite having two £30 million plus defenders. Chelsea are loathe to drop Terry and know replacing him will be hard work.

Top class defenders are few and far between. Stones is still young, so of course is learning and improving and far from the finished article.

But some people are saying let’s sell because we have Holgate, Galloway and co. Christ, Galloway looks a good prospect, but not in the same league. Holgate is a reserve and we have no idea how good he is.

Jagielka is ageing and has never been a defender of the top bracket, he’s a good and reliable while not world class defender. Stones could be, and we should be aiming for Stones to become our future captain.

He is so vital to the style of play. Attacking, possession based football is not just about the midfield. He need of having a defender than is composed on the ball, can hold possession is huge.

The defender receives the ball, and the team is set up in a defensive manner. Having a defender who can win the ball, and then keep it in a composed manner allows the shape to change to an attacking one. It gives the midfielders and attackers time to position themselves, for the full backs to run forward.

If the defender simply receives the ball and immediately a) hoof it or b) make short pass, more often than not possession is lost rather quickly.

Stones is central to our future, and furthermore, keeping him is a statement of intent to our other young stars.

Brian Oviedo has got a heart as big as a lion as well as being a good footballer. Sometimes in life you have to back someone on a hunch against the odds. I think Brian Oviedo can be a great player for us. I think it is a good shout by Martinez to give him a new contract.

I think the last time we beat a Sky 4 team away from home was Man Utd in Martinez’s first season – Brian Oviedo scored the winner.

The greatest centre halves have been the likes of Beckenbauer, Moore, Maldini, Cannavaro (midget btw), Hansen (yuck, hated saying that), Ferdinand etc..... What is the common denominator? All of them were comfortable on the ball, all were supremely confident in their own ability, all had ice in their veins (unlike most fans), all became legends as will John Stones, at Everton or not.

Myopia is an ailment which can be fixed, stupidity and ignorance is another matter

Granted, Stones may/will become a much better defender with time but for now I just cannot see why any club would pay the kind of money Chelsea were offering in the summer, unless they are waiting for him to ’mature’. If we get an offer anywhere north of £30-35m I’d sell and look to the future and bring someone else in.

Besic needs to be signed up and Oviedo should be offered a contract with a pay as you play clause. Stones? Sell if we get a stupid offer, our defence has been a joke for much of the season as it is.

Stones may have huge potential but right now he’s not even on the same planet as these players, nevermind the same league! He has so much to learn still and his defensive game needs to improve a shed load.

Just for your info, Beckenbauer by the age of 22 was already captain of Bayern having taken them to the league title, a German Cup and a European title, nevermind finishing runner up at the 1966 World Cup. Maldlini made his Milan debut at age 17 and by age 20 had already been a first team regular for 3 years and had a league title under his belt!

I know we love to rave about Stones but there is no way this kid will be at the level of a Beckenbauer or Maldini – two of the best defenders the game will ever see. Let’s try to keep things a bit realistic at least.

Just because PSG paid £50M for side show Bob does not mean he’s one of the best defenders the game has ever seen...

I can't see a release clause being put into his new contract. Unless it's a ridiculous figure. Say £60 million.

I don't know about him being a new Beckenbauer but he has the potential to be a great player. He is quality goods and some Evertonians aren't arsed if he goes. Probably the same ones who wanted Lukaku to fuck off as he'd never learn how to improve his game. I do wonder sometimes whether I watch the same game as others.

Last season it was Lukaku and Barkley who were in the "shite, overrated, let's sell" category. This season it appears to be Stones. Oh, and Dennis the likes of Maldini, Beckenbauer, Moore etc...made mistakes, sometimes overplayed it, got caught out, fell on their arses, gave away penalties etc.... Sorry, I forgot, Everton players are expected to be perfect aren't they?

How many other 21-year-old centre-backs are there in the Premier League? He lacks strength and experience but so did every great centre-back at his age. He’s a bloody joy to watch and I wouldn’t trade him for any other centre-back in the league.

Players want success and Champions League. Sadly we cannot offer either.

£50 million for Stones, yes please!

I don’t like selling our best players but I don’t think we’re at the right level to accommodate him. If we were a Champions league outfit and had a settled winning team. All would be good. But unfortunately we’re not.

At this point in time I think John Stones is a luxury player who has too many mistakes in him. I think we look safer when Funes Mori is partnering Jags. I thought we looked better once Funes Mori came on... Even though we conceded the goal that should of never of stood in the 98th minute.

If this takeover happens and we raise our profile in the media. So we are no longer seen as plucky little Everton who have to look down the back of the sofa every time we’re linked to a player. We might be able to hold onto Stones if we have the investment to improve the squad without having to sell. Winning a cup will also help keep the likes of Stones and Rom.

That’s a lot of big ’if’s’. As things stand with this current board I think we have to sell and reinvest. £50m would buy 3 top players.

A good defence starts with the keeper, he is the organiser. Blaming Stones is idiocy.

Jags is getting older, slower and ever more unreliable. Our future should be Funes Mori and Stones, plus a new keeper (Robles is not the answer).

Stones: "Mr Kenwright, will Mr Martinez be in charge next season?"

Billy Liar: "Err... yes."

Stones: "Thanks but no thanks. I want to win stuff."

Repeat for about half the squad.......

By the way, the other four players were regulars under OFM with his now legendary, and mythical, defence. Would you think that, after all those endless hours of practice and drills, that they’d remember to do the basics? Of course not, it’s agent Stones who’s wrecked our defence.

The ’system’ doesn’t lead to schoolboy errors by supposed experienced internationals who were apparently impregnable under the previous regime.

I’m trying to get my head round the idea that overpaid professional footballers ’forget’ how to do their jobs because the new manger prefers a more open style of football, but I can’t.

Martinez’s big failing is his over-reliance on players who don’t cut it when it matters and his strange reluctance to play the players he brought to the club to replace them.

Fact is the kid has a long long way to go just to be a class defender, never mind comparing him to some of the greatest players the game has seen. At this time anyway, it’s ridiculous. He may mature into a class player in a few years but that’s not now and he’ll be long gone anyway if he ever does. If we’re offered silly money again I’d take it and reinvest in the squad. A decent keeper and a CB who can defend properly would be a good start.

Then again, if our manager doesn’t believe in defending a lead with a few mins to go, then Stones is definitely going to be gone sooner rather than later.

I actually think it is the opposite .. RM is why we attracted the likes of Del Boy and Rom... and all of the new young talent ...

We are not a champions league club and do not pay 120K pw wages

Unfortunately, in this day and age fans want immediate success and no longer seem to have the patience to watch, and appreciate, the development of a young team and young players. So let's sell our youngsters as who wants to wait until they fulfill their potential? Let's go down the Southampton route re players. And the rs route re managers! Who gives a shit about team building? Let's have a revolving door policy and become as shallow and superficial as the majority of teams in the prem.

Collin, your reply regarding the defenders made the point for the other side didn't it? Of the back line two years ago, who is the only change from a solid defense? Wait for it. Stones in place of Distin. So please tell me how he doesn't get the blame? One player has a huge effect in the back four. Look at Chelsea with its right back problems with Ivan the Terrible out of form early this season and teams running riot over that side of the defense despite a very good Belgian keeper.

With Stones in as centerback you better have LLoris as the keeper as he will be needed to fill the spot his defender should be in. Tell me how Stoens has improoved at all in positional sense and awareness or defending set pieces?

The comment by some poster as to the media loving the kid isn't qqquite true. Every game I watch over here, the English and Irish and maybe Scottish broadcasters talk about Stones being able to dribble and being composed but then mention as an aside that he needs to "tighten" up his defense. WTF? Shouldn't that be the first thing a defender in the spine of the defense gets right?

I rate Stones highly as a midfielder or right back but not as a center back as watching him avoid too many challenges on crosses, I think he lacks the "Stones" required of the position.

1. Does whatever he wants;

2. Goes wherever he wants on the pitch whenever he wants;

3. Appears immune from being dropped from the First XI for poor performance (both other "diamonds", Lukaku and Barkley, have been).

Other than higher wages, why would he want to get out from under Roberto’s managerial style?