Martinez will fend off interest in Stones

We have made a £30m profit on transfers over the last 3 seasons. As a club made a profit and season tickets for next season look very good. This is the strongest we have been as a club on and off the field for years, the only players who should be sold are those surplus to requirements.

Can only see us buying 5-7 players this summer not selling any, especially now we have European football back at. GP.

If we could retain the 3 loan players from this season one way or another, bring in Colbeck from Sunderland as a cover player then we would just be short of cover for Seamus and another striker maybe. Surely doable if we make the top 4.

There is no chance RM would sell Stones in the near future. A class act; best young centre-back around.

As Roberto said, the lad is only 19 years old and has played less than ten games at centre back.

He has bags of 'potential' but that is all. He is not ready to take over from either Jags or Distin just yet so fans should temper their readiness to accept his as is. He will be ready to take over from Distin soon, but not this season.

We now have a lot of decent young players coming through but none are ready to take over completely apart from Coleman and McCarthy.

Barkley remains inconsistent and although he has loads of natural ability he needs Osman to rotate with him.

I would not rush Stones either just yet as he has a fantastic career ahead of him. We as a club will benefit in the future if he is brought on carefully.

I work with a bunch of Arsenal fans, and it is amazing their contradicting attitude toward their team. In five minutes they will go from, "Our team has been crumbling for years, we’re just satisfied with fourth, Arsene has gone stale-he needs to go." And then quick as a flash they arrogantly declare, "Of course Coleman and Stones will be joining Arsenal next season...why wouldn’t they?"

But for the first time in a long time; I feel the players want to stay, are excited about what’s happening and want to be a part of it.

Why can't the press give it a rest? First Barkley, then Coleman, now Stones.

Arsenal can’t afford any of our players anyway.

Says a lot about some of these club scouts. They had the chance last year but thgey seem more interested in only buying the near finished or finished item aka Brakley, Stones, Coleman, Baines etc,

Wenger is always sniffing around young players. He will probably offer us less than we paid for him the cheap sod.

One good thing about FFP is when we quote £30 million for prospects the moneyed clubs think twice about paying it now. The decline of United might be the best thing that has ever happened to us. Not only did it open up another spot, but this glittering destination for young English players under the guidance of Grandad Fergie 'it's only half an hour from ya ma's Wayne' offering champions league football with trophies guaranteed no longer exists.

They've been replaced by Liverpool who we would never sell such prospects to. City and Chelsea usually look foreign first and foremost and game time at either seems less certain than nailing down a slot in United's midfield might have seemed to Barkley.

If we can keep all of these brilliant young players together then they will create a spirit amongst each other and will not want to leave. If we can provide them with the platform to bring us success then they will stay. Fourth and getting past the qualifier would be huge in that respect.

There are few Everton players not attracting the attention of clubs in similar positions to us. It's great to hear such strong words from Martinez waving interest away. The question is: Who of the current playing staff is going to be deemed surplus?

Despite the TV money, bumper returns from recent transfer dealings and even possible Champions League windfall, we're still a sell-to-survive club.

I believe Mirallas is the highest profile player we could lose without significantly denting squad cohesion. Surprisingly though, there's been very little mention of him by other clubs, even last season when he performed better all round.

It's going to be an interesting transfer window, and for the first time in years, one I'm not going to be panicking over who is going to leave. I can't see more than four new faces joining though.

Conn

Mirallas has a good number of goals and assists. Why do you think he is expendable? He is a great outlet for us. Sure he makes some bad decisions, that is human nature. I would not sell him, but I would be tempted to play him more.

Interesting piece Lyndon. Can’t see Stones or Barkley going anywhere but certain clubs have been sniffing around Coleman and Mirallis.

Looking back to Rooney, Rodwell, Lescott, Arteta, Anichebe, Jelavic and Fellaini, we don’t shy away from flogging the odd decent player and I guess much will depend on our financial position when we hit the summer window and the length of the Martinez shopping list.

He’ll definitely put his foot down with Coleman and wouldn’t want to lose the pace and threat of Mirallas. If we have to sell someone, I wouldn’t know who. With United, Arsenal, Spurs and Newcastle slipping below their normal level we’ve managed to compile a fair number of points but next season will be a whole different story The bar will be raised yet again and we’ll need to be ready for it.

Young Stones got his opportunity to shine due to Martinez' willingness to play him and other younger players.

A fact I'm sure is not lost on John Stones.

I don't see him going anywhere. And he's an absolute gem on the field and seemingly off the field.

TY David Moyes. Great signing and TY also for leaving so the kid could actually play and show his talent.

Jamie, It is not fair to tip that particular bucket on Moyes. I can think of a few decent players who were signed by Moyes and others who got their first start under him.

And another thing that should not be ignored is that when he arrived he brought a sense of direction and positivity to a club that was a basket case going nowhere. His 'Peoples Club' may now seem dated yet at it gave us something, probably the only thing we had to cling to.

By time he left we did not fear anyone and were well respected by all the top clubs. I suggest he provided a solid base for Roberto work from. By the time he departed, I was a card carrying member of the MOB yet at the same time I do not believe that anyone should doubt what he achieved on next to nothing in funds.

I disagree that Stones isn't ready. On the contrary Jags and Distin's best days are all in the past, particularly Distin.

Sure they can still play decent games here and there but the best forwards will expose the weaknesses that come with age.

Jags is still a great competitor and still has some speed but is becoming error prone.

Stones will only get better and next season I predict he will become a full international.

Tom Bowers #173

"I predict he will become a full international" . Well that's right up there Nostradamus, where do you get such remarkable insight from?

I make that point just to demonstrate your view on Distin is complete shite. The guy is a freak. Despite his age he his as quick as he's ever been and this season has been his best. I suspect he still has two years as a top flight defender in him,

I know it's not too popular to praise Moyes but what a great buy.

If Stones continues to make such startling progress I suspect it may be Jags who is struggling for a first team place next year.

Dick -

I take your point. I recognize that OFM entered his position when the Club was in a very precarious position and stabilized Everton very well. I do agree that is something any supporter should recognize, appreciate, and thank Mr. Moyes for.

I would also point out that I am very sincere when I thank OFM for signing Stones - never mind Seamus, Arteta, Cahill, et al... David Moyes unearthed some gems.

But I think it is inarguable that he did not feel comfortable starting younger players. The basis of fact regarding that statement has been done thousands of times on this site so I feel no need to re-hash it. And I know you know the specifics I would site.

I would "tip that bucket" over and over again Dick. I'm sure you'd agree that Hibbo would have been slotting in at CB if OFM were still at the helm.

And therefore I am happy for John Stones that OFM is no longer at Goodison. I don't think stating as such minimizes OFM's positive effect on Everton Football Club at the time he came to sit on the throne.

Disclaimer - Mr. Moyes came to Everton before my time - I've followed the Club since 2007. So I'm no expert on this matter but be assured I've done my level best to be knowledgable about all things Blue despite my tender Blue age.

Martinez can sometimes be a bit long on the old corporate bullsh$t but one very true comment he made is that we should not see our players being talked about as transfer targets for 'bigger' clubs as a negative.

We should be a lot more worried if none of our players are talked about as transfer targets. That would indicate we are in the drop zone. I want our players to be the talk of the league.

And when those 'bigger' clubs come calling, if we want to keep who we have, then we can always remind them of a very basic truth, namely that the outcome of players leaving Everton is not the guaranteed glory hoped for. In fact, you can end up disappearing down the plughole a la Fellaini, Rodwell, even Lescott now. And after last week Arteta is perhaps also thinking he backed the wrong horse...

Firstly it is the Daily Star’s job to stir things up on behalf of their beloved teams Arsenal, Liverpool and Man U. Secondly if Barkley was to even contemplate going across the park it would be worse than Rooney going to United x 100000. But Stevie Me has been giving Barks career advice and we all know that Kop-ites never do anything unless it improves their situation and if it strikes a blow against Everton and its fans then all the better as far as they are concerned.

If any such deal happened Bill Kenwright’s last game at Goodison would have to be the City game as he would not be able to show his face ever again.

Interesting thought came to mind:

It’s kind of interesting that Moyes (perhaps/probably) bought Stones knowing he himself would be moving on. What to read into that, because of he rated him VERY highly, AND knew he was moving, would he not have waited to buy him for Man Utd. Vultures after Coleman are more likely than vulture after Stones.

Remy, Ba, Lukaku. I’d put money on one of those 3 ending up at Arsenal or Spurs.

Steven but he couldn't wait as Roberto had wanted Stones for Wigan so in a sense he had to buy him there and then. The lad is still learning his trade and centre-backs are a bit like goalkeepers they tend to improve with age. The problem with putting him in the side so soon is that he might believe it is easy and we all know that the Premier League is still a tough place to learn your trade. However, I have a feeling that Jags may not return to the team and even if he does he may well leave in the Summer, it's only a feeling but he doesn't seem to enjoy the type of football we are playing this season.

Every player has his price but for now, it seems the sky is the limit with the youngsters we got, so no way anyone can afford our valuation. I think we'll be able to do very good business with RM at the helm and the future looks bright with his willingness to try young players.

Patrick, we might want to sell him to mu then while we know they still have cash! My gut says he'd stay for a bit longer. I do agree with your sentiment and the style now seems to suit Distin more than Jags. But you'll never know. There is always a place in any team for a good veteran like Jags.

Looking back I can't help but smile at what a masterstroke it was to sell Fellaini. Not only did we get $27m to spend and disposed of a player I believe lacked motivation and character for this Everton team, it also showed the whole squad the grass isn't always greener. We can't know what it was that kept Baines with us, but he had a perfect example right there in front of him showing what might happen if he moved to a more glamorous side. Hopefully every single player in the club now sees this, including Stones.

Let's not forget that Roberto is also being touted by the 'meejah' pundit scumbags to take over from Whinging Wenger and for any other managerial position they are currently speculating about. The assumption they make of course is that Everton are merely a 'stepping stone' on the way to better things – just like TGT said we were.

Peter #218 with our current financial position, we will be seen as a stepping stone. The fact is if you want to compete regularly for top honours, you won't be doing that at Everton. What RM is doing this season, like his predecessor, is over-achieving in terms of budget spend (transfer more so than wages).

Our own owners operate us as a small club, so why should the media or anyone else perceive us differently?

Matt@ 219, your comment on "if you want to compete regularly for top honours" made me chuckle. Compete refers to the act of competition; competition also implies that teams participate on the basis of their inherent strengths and weaknesses ONLY. This though is not allowed in the EPL. EPL competition works as follows 1) FA darlings (RS & Manure) will have match officials and English media on their team & 2) non FA darlings will not have match officials on their team and will have tailored media coverage to "showcase the EPL as the best (sic) league in the world". For these non FA darlings to compete (sic) though they will have to be flush with oil money (Chelski & Shitty).

For the rest it's no competition I'm afraid; they will remain in competition to be the best of the rest...

Jamie C @ 176, My Everton journey began in the old 2nd Division in 1954 and, to use the old cliché, they really were the good old days.

On Saturday mornings, we would play for St Malachy's in the 9s, the intermediates, or the 15s. In the afternoon, it would be the Gwladys St Boys Pen or bone-shaking football specials to away games.

On Wednesdays, we would be hawking our togs around Sefton Park review field trying to scrounge a game in one of many teams that played in the Business Houses competition. On Sunday mornings, we did the same in the Social Leagues... Ah, those were Golden days, my friend.

You can imagine that I have seen lots of our club's managers from Cliff Britton down the ages to Roberto. Some were good, some were average, and a few were bloody awful. Allowing for modern-day financial restraints I would definitely place Moyes among the better ones.
By the way Jamie, I had rellies named 'Crawley'.

As both Conn Prossor and Matt Traynor indicated, in our current circumstances these stories are inevitable.

The fundamental weakness at Everton is in the Boardroom. It is well known that our financial strategy is based on a sell-assets-to-survive model. We're mortgaged up to the hilt, have a catastrophically weak commercial revenue stream with some of the lowest sponsorship deals, and the only assets left sell are players. Hence stories such as this. I hope that James Martin is right that we would never sell to the RS, but a selling club we are and will remain until we have new owners whose ambition for our club extends beyond their own ambition to remain at the helm come what may.

Here is one for the conspiracy theorists;

In some media outlets, SAF is quoted as saying that he knew he was leaving in December. If true, perhaps he had told OFM that he was "The Chosen One" at this time.

I do remember an interview that Roberto gave after the FA Cup draw saying something along the lines of he "knew he would draw Everton". Perhaps, he too, also knew he was our "chosen one".

Maybe – just maybe – Stones was bought under instruction from Roberto!!

Then again, maybe the Titanic didn't sink! Or there were two men on the grassy knoll...

Stones, Barkley and Coleman won't ask to go this summer. Other than City and Chelsea, who have very good right backs, who in the Prem would Coleman be in a rush to leave us for? The likes of Barca etc, IMO, would go for other options and would probably overlook him. As for Stones and Barkley, they are level-headed, modest young lads who have blossomed under a very good manager. They would be mad to leave after 1 season when they haven't started 38 games. I would not worry, for next season at least. Who knows where RM will have us the year later.

What did we do as a club do to the national media to make then hate us so much? That Barkley story is nothing more than made-up bullshit to try and create a distraction and knock us off course for 4th. I have seen nothing but an Everton witch hunt and RS love fest from the media the last 2 weeks. Makes me not even want to read a paper or online article. If I was as bad at my job as these journos, I would've been fired a long time ago.

Coleman, Stones, Barkley, McCathy, Mirallas, Baines, Oviedo are class players and the future of of the club. We should be looking to quality to them not dismantle our spine. Adding Lukaku or equivalent is the priority this summer.

Dick -

I have a massive amount of respect for you and all the life-long Blues on this site. Your Blue credentials are impeccable.

I value your opinion re Moyes. I hope you understand my opinion on his approach to playing youngsters in the time I have been "blessed" to watch.

Rellies named Crawley - clearly a reason to share a drink some day. ;0). I've often wondered how the "o" turned into an "a"... Or was it the other way around?

John Stones, David Moyes’s last piece of transfer business at Everton, may well turn out to be his best.

Jay, remember what Scudamore said about the "brand"? The establishment need their money making machines in the top competitions to further the "brand". If a team like Everton get in the CL, a team who doesn't have 533M fans worldwide like the RS (see Brenda's comments last week) then it means we won't sell the required amount of replica shirts the Prem needs.

The journos are part of the establishment and so work hand in hand with Scudamore and Co as they need the status quo to remain – it's as simple as that. Spurs are probably the only other team they would accept as many of them are Spurs fans, eg, Martin Lipton.
The rumours are malicious and are intended to cause disruption. It's all part of the evil plan. I just laugh at them now.