The Rumour Mill

Baines to be a Chelsea target?

24/02/2013 |

Comments (27)

The Sunday People claims that Chelsea will target Leighton Baines as a replacement for Ashley Cole - despite the similarity in their ages.

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Reader Comments

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Kevin Elliott
063 Posted 24/02/2013 at 09:52:05

I hope he stays. If there is one player that I would keep above all others then it is Bainsie.

Stuart Eaton
088 Posted 24/02/2013 at 10:39:04

Cant blame him if he wants to go, with the lack of any investment in the squad in January is hitting home already.
If the board had backed Moyes and brought in at least 2 quality players it would have lifted the squad, you can physically see the team are flat and running out of ideas.
Fellaini and Pienaar don't look interested.

It will be sad to see Baines go but he deserves a chance of Champions league football and the possibility of a winners medal or 2.

John Keating
090 Posted 24/02/2013 at 10:55:11

Stuart, as much as I hate saying so, I think you might be right.
It is obvious that whilst this board are in place we won't get a penny to spend unless we sell.
I can see our two most sellable assets in Baines and Fellaini both going in the summer.
Whoever the manager is will more than likely not get more than 50% of the money to help add to our already threadbare squad.
The team look and play as if their knackered and with Moyes reluctant to play one or two youngsters it is imperative we get at least 4 new experienced faces faces for next season.
Under this present Board this, I'm afraid, is as good as it gets.

Gary Mortimer
091 Posted 24/02/2013 at 10:41:47

I agree Kevin, we've got to keep Bainesy.

After yesterday's performance I think we should cash in on Fellaini - if he was as good as he thinks he is then he should be bossing games against the likes of Norwich and not drifting in and out (which he does a lot)

Derek Thomas
097 Posted 24/02/2013 at 11:14:26

Baines is more likely to go than Fellaini, unless there is a ' breakeven offer' that allows us to get him off the wage bill.

Nick Entwistle
100 Posted 24/02/2013 at 11:34:41

Selling Baines and Fellaini are the only way we'll have new signings coming in by August. No doubt about that. And we could get in 4-6 players too.

Si Turner
102 Posted 24/02/2013 at 11:37:32

Why would any fan want to sell our best player(s)? Just because we could replace them with experienced players does not guarantee they will have the ability to give us the last push we need to become a top 6 side. With the reported £10 mill we had in January why not spend that on a striker to play with Jelavic? Moyes is obviously hanging around to see what funds he gets and I think BK knows it.

Thomas Windsor
135 Posted 24/02/2013 at 14:34:42

Sell to buy — thats all I can see happening and a ground full of obstructed views... Why do we still go in our thousands?

Sam Hoare
139 Posted 24/02/2013 at 15:07:38

£15m plus Ryan Bertrand?

No-one want to see their best players go but i'm not sure we can realistically deny Leighton a shot at Champions league football that looks likely to elude us for a while yet.

Think we might be seeing alot of change at Goodison this Summer.

Colin Evans
144 Posted 24/02/2013 at 15:22:47

Why would LB go to Chelski to play understudy to Ashley Cole? I don't think he is he kind of player who is just interested in money to be a bench warmer.

Rich Williams
148 Posted 24/02/2013 at 15:38:41

Jags might leave as well

Ray Roche
154 Posted 24/02/2013 at 15:48:18

Hasn't Cole just signed a new contract extension?

Phil Sammon
158 Posted 24/02/2013 at 16:08:27

Keep Baines. Sell Fellaini. At least Baines wants to be here and gives 100% every game

Andy Meighan
163 Posted 24/02/2013 at 16:14:05

There's not a club in the country who wouldn't take Baines.

As for Fellaini, I'm getting tired of saying this: there'll be no bidding war for him. The only player in that squad I'd be gutted to see go would be Baines. As for the rest, I wouldn't bat an eyelid if they sold the lot of them.

Moyes knew we needed players in January and to leave it as late as he did was shocking. If the Leroy Fer deal would have collapsed early in January, he'd have time to pursue other targets... and then came that ridiculous Negredo bid. Be fair did any of us really think they had £9 mil to blow? What happened to the modest budget?

Lee Browne
165 Posted 24/02/2013 at 16:18:50

I'd sell Felliani for no less than £30M. I can't see Baines going to Chelsea... if it was a toss between them and the Mancs, I reckon he would go to the Mancs, get £45-50M.

I can't believe I'm saying this bit but let Moyes go, and give a new manager the money. Who would I want as a replacement? I'm thinking...

James Flynn
283 Posted 24/02/2013 at 20:45:26

Well, if Moyes stays it'll be a shock. Everything points to his leaving; certainly this last transfer window. Kenright and them have been penurious throughout his time and weren't going to give money to a fellow who wouldn't be back next season. I'd love him to stay but believe him gone. And the players know it.

So it leaves "what's next" for Everton? My take is Fella and Baines will be sold. With their sale and the TV money for next year, EFC will have an 80-100 mil windfall. Their cut of the top, a lot of debt paid off (Thinking wishfully. This bunch might just pocket the bulk.), the new fellow in will have a fair budget to work with. So?

Fella leaving is no stretch. The surprise will be him in Everton Blue beginning next season. Baines, the model professional, is in his prime and any discussion of best LB in the world includes his name. Kenright etal are not going to offer wages commensurate to that. I think many other clubs can't wait to. The right offer comes in, and it will, Baines exits.

I say give Solskjaer a chance. He'd come. How about Sheedy? He's managing our youngsters and it appears we might a player or 4 already in the Club's system.

Phil Sammon
472 Posted 25/02/2013 at 12:01:52

Has anyone seen the football Molde play?

Sheedy's a legend and doing a good job...but I don't think Everton should be appointing such a novice.

BK plucked Moyes from left-field, maybe he'll suprise us again. Favourite has to be Martinez though. In fact I might stick a tenner on him being in charge on opening day.

Tony Draper
484 Posted 25/02/2013 at 12:42:53

Bainsey is the greatest performing player in Europe (statistics say so). We love him to pieces. His music taste is top notch. He's Proper BLUE.

But Moyes is a dithering tit. Sack Moyes now, win the cup, keep the squad.

Shaun Brennan
489 Posted 25/02/2013 at 12:57:29

Phil, BK didn't pluck Moyes from Left-field. Walter Smith made the suggestion to Kenwright.

I can see this happening. Moyes leaves, somebody comes in as care taker manager (insert none-inspiring name) & said care taker manager is offered the job full time.

Whilst Baines and Fellani leave in the summer.

Received a email from Everton today, Now do I really renew my season ticket for next season. I've had it for 18 years nearly, travelled from London for most home games a season & for what. I'm not actualy getting anything from Everton now, just the same old guff and uncertainty.

Phil Sammon
496 Posted 25/02/2013 at 13:36:37

Who appointed Moyes, Shaun?

Shaun Brennan
513 Posted 25/02/2013 at 14:54:53

It was BK I thought you knew that ;P

Phil Sammon
520 Posted 25/02/2013 at 15:22:44

Ha. Bugger off

Phil Sammon
611 Posted 25/02/2013 at 20:03:00

9/1 for Martinez.

Ian Glassey
621 Posted 25/02/2013 at 20:09:31

9/1 for Martinez might have a tenner on that as well Phil. I would be very happy to have him in charge, likewise Laudrup but as I have said I think he is inline for something big. Outsider Poyet..

Colin Glassar
708 Posted 25/02/2013 at 23:30:51

I wouldn't blame Bainsey if he left. With a lame duck manager and a brain dead chairman he'd be within his right to move on.

Harold Matthews
736 Posted 25/02/2013 at 23:59:48

Baines is a brilliant attacker and a terrible defender. Cut inside, away from his left leg, and he waves goodbye. Weiman of Villa and Snodgrass of Norwich made full use of this weakness and so will many others. Nevertheless, he remains my favourite Everton player and I hope he is not thinking of moving elsewhere.

Fellaini can go anytime he wants. Watching him trot around at half speed is beginning to get on my nerves. A perfect illustration of this was the focussed, sharp, quick, determined way he went after the Norwich guy who kicked him. Why the hell doesn't he show that kind of speed for 93 minutes.

I also wish Gibson would show a bit of speed now and again. He continually tracks back at walking pace while Osman races past to do his job for him. This has been happening in every match since his comeback and it always results in Osman being completely knackered for the last half hour and getting all the flak. Gibson, are so-called "holding player" managed just one single tackle during the whole of the Norwich game but fans think he's wonderful. They didn't even notice his pathetic slow motion attempt to close down the cross which led to their winner.

James Flynn
740 Posted 26/02/2013 at 01:27:09

Not Matinez. A first-rate pimp? Yes. Not what we need. Anyone but Martinez. He's the guy everyone loves when meeting. Good for him, not so good for anyone not him.

He's a pimp, gents. Of course, if wanting a master bullshitter and media-ready is your thing? By all means, Martinez. Be surprised even Kenright won't fall for this guy.

I've said before, ownership needs to sign Bruce Arena. Levels of magnitude above Martinez and the other usual suspects being mentioned in the press.

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