It is now time to switch to a new Money AM football blog as the world cup is now over and we all look to the future.....World cup 2010 is over, Bravo Espana, and Forlan, once again and bring on the new season !.....I never expected the last thread to be such a success...thanks all.... so this new one might go on for years without the need to edit the title...we shall see...

Like Kane, Stones should stay for at least 2 more seasons; he looked poor in his last couple of games - can bring the ball out but has a lot to learn re defending. He can do that at Everton, including more playing time. He'll still be wanted in 2 years providing he doesn't stagnate and is injury free, will still be young, and because of experience he may be better placed to make a decision re staying or going - rather than grabbing the first chocolate bar he sees at the checkout. If he decides to leave, Everton will have had some service and receive a fee at the same level or more - reduced contract time v better player.

---

Women's football shouldn't exist, it should just be football; the same with tennis - no Men's/Women's/Mixed just singles and doubles, athletics etc.

Cheers,
KidA

Yes - same with the showers! :-)

Didn't Blatter suggest that?

Cheers,
KidA

Missed the World Cup draws completely...England have a good group....difficult but they should get at least one of the two top spots.....in fact I would expect them to win the group....Scotland will not be easy to beat though !....Spain and Italy in the same group ?...nuts....France, Holland ,Sweden ?......I think England have done well to avoid that lot .......really Fifa are going to have to look at the way draws are being made : because this is crazy putting such strong soccer nations together....the Europeans are dominating the world cups yet this is what they come up with.....promoting the beautiful game (as Pele might put it) across the world is one thing but putting formidable football countries in one basket with only one outright qualifier is bonkers....

The Epitome of integrity!

FIFA passes resolution offering full support for holding 2018 World Cup in Russia

'He deserves a Nobel prize...' - comedy gold.

Meanwhile, the No Balls prize looks to be on its way to Di Maria.

Cheers,
KidA

Reports: Everton reject another Stones bid from Chelsea
29/07/2015 150 Comments [Jump to last]
"Sky sources" claim that Chelsea have made another official offer of £25m for John Stones and that Everton have rebuffed it.
If true, this second bid would still fall well below Everton's valuation of the player and the £34m - £38m figure that the media seem to have agreed between themselves would seal the deal.

Some of the national media are suggesting the Londoners' new offer is £26m, however.

Roberto Martinez was adamant earlier this month that the 21-year-old is not going anywhere and that has been reflected in a later tweet from Sky whose sources report that Everton have twice told Chelsea that Stones is not for sale.

Quotes or other material sourced from Sky Sports

Reader Comments

Second Stones bid rejected.

£25m apparently.

£25m is clearly designed to unsettle the player. He will go if they bid £30m or over

London Standard reckon they will offer £30m + add-ons. We want £34m apparantly. If there's a compromise and they pay £30m with add-ons that figure should be approaching a further £8-10m IMO.

Money aside, that would properly shaft our defence.

Take £25m plus Remy, spend it on a CB and No 10.
I see Diego Costa has a hamstring injury so presumably the Chelsea medics/trainers are crape too?

Far too much over-reaction at this point -- relax and give the squad a chance before going in hard on them!

This story has dominated the close season. I guess that if the lad wants it, he will go for c£34M as forecast.
I don't think the club has done much wrong in how they have handled the situation although the longer the uncertainty goes on the more difficult it will be to sign a decent replacement.

Most Evertonians I speak to are not enamoured of the Evans answer to the problem !

I would think that Stones, Lukaku and McCarthy will be here this season, or at least till January. Almost guaranteed they won’t be here at the start of the 2016-17 season unless we start acting like a club that wants to win things. The upside to selling them in 2016 is that we will probably get over £100 million for them.

Breaking News. Officials at Everton inform Chelsea Stones not for sale.what did Maureen say, when Everton say the player is not for sale, we won't bid again. Fuck off mourinho!!

That's scared him

but why are we even targeting a player like that (at that price) ?

Joe - Crazy money I agree. The irony is John Stones is a Man U fan, if the lad himself does have his head turned, pure press speculation by the way, chances are he will end up at Old Trafford LOL!! I won't be laughing if Jonny Evans (again press speculation) is mentioned in the same breath.

Andy Townsend grew up as a Chelsea boy and now look at him

Turncoat - and bitter with it

Still he's one of only a handful of ex-players to hold that view - most become lifelong blues once they've been with us

Twice Maureen has done that now, thrown his losers medal away, class or blatent disrespect? Don't you just love the arrogant twat (not). Reckon Arse will give them a run for their money this season now they have finally learned how to defend. LOL!!!!

Who remembers losers ?

And the reason he threw it in this time was driven by some jeering and throwing of objects by the gooners (possibly having mistaken Jose for their own manager a la railway station incident)

But I do agree - its Arsenal most likely for me to give us a run for our money

I think Chelsea were thinking of windows 10 as they got a player sent off !.....not a good start !....

When Dinosaurs Walked the Earth!
By Dean Adams 11/08/2015

According to Sky Sports, football began 23 years ago with the start of the Premier league. Since it began, this league has been dominated by the clubs with the biggest wallets. The rest of the football clubs in the league have absolutely no chance.

It never used to be this way, every season would unearth a new contender that nobody would have expected. It made the league season unpredictable in some small way, but that has long since become an extinct distraction.

When I was a lad we were a giant in the football world. We actually were one of the big boys and nobody pushed us around. The likes of Chelsea and Man City were “wannabes”. Football was played by men who were happy to talk to the fans; they were down to earth and were paid well, but not the ridiculous wages of today. Fans could relate to their heroes. Today, the money that is paid to players is totally obscene. The league is full of prima donnas.

It has been so long since we were successful that my son who is 18 next month has never witnessed us winning a trophy. It is his generation who I pity because they have to contend with us “old buggars” constantly reminding them of the “glory days” when we were the biggest beasts strutting about as Champions and Cup winners. That of course was when dinosaurs walked the earth. That was a time when Preston North End were winning the league, even Sunderland, both Sheffield clubs and Villa.

Those days are long gone, but we are still clinging to our history, where others have lost their grip? It is over 100 years since both Sunderland and Villa won their 5th league title, something Chelsea have only just achieved and Man City have only 4 titles to their name.

Our chances of winning silverware have been extinct for years, just as many others from a bygone age. They are like the dodo, just some mythical thing from the past. We cling to our memories desperately, like alcoholics wanting just one more! We tell them that football was so much better before Sky came along and expect them to believe us without really showing them the “bigger picture”.

We are Everton, I hear from our fans. “If ya know yer history”. The problem is, with each passing year Sky are re-writing the history of football, to the point that many now believe that football actually did begin 23 years ago.

Well, if that is the new gospel I have good news for you all. That number is significant to Everton and some fans will already be reminiscing at the thought of what comes next. In my world, Everton win the league every 24 years, or at least we used to when it was the football league and I for one am hoping that the football gods haven’t gone senile watching this boring team in this boring league. ( I know that that all changed when in 2011 we did not manage to add to that run, but it is all becoming clear now. Counting stopped, re-configured, beginning again in 1992-3).

So cheer up fellow ToffeeWebbers, it is in the stars. We will win the league, not this season, but next. It is our destiny. I realise that for many of you out there it will be almost impossible to believe. Of course, it could mean that Roberto is one step ahead and is already planning for next season. It would explain our slow start again and the lack of transfer activity, simply because he is waiting for the stars to align. (Of course it would be useful if we had some!).

Our wonderful crop of youngsters will take the league by storm, Stones, Barkley, Lukaku, Mo Besic, Deulofeu, Browning, Garbutt, Galloway and McCarthy will be awesome! Some cry, “where’s the money gone” but Bill has been saving for our big push! The board have been saving for years to take us to the biggest and best stadium in the land (oh, that was Goodison!). We can all dream, it’s all we have left. Get your singing voices ready, we’re gonna win the league!

1890/91, 1914/15, 1927/28, 1931/32, 1938/39, 1962/63, 1969/70, 1984/85, 1986/87, 2016-17?



Reader Comments
Dean, unless the players start showing how good this side could become and continue to struggle against relative mediocre opponents, we may well win the Football League in 2017 or whatever it is called these days as our chances of becoming Champions of England are as remote as any of us winning the National Lottery and the Euromillions in the same week.
We'll still turn up at Goodison in our thousands, we'll still berate the manager or owner or whoever else is in the firing line, but unfortunately Everton and a few other so called 'big' clubs won't be hoisting the no.1 flag over their grounds for a good while yet. It has become a cartel in England, just like it has in Scotland, Spain and other countries if your team isn't a member of the new elite already, the chances are it never will be.

Those of us of a certain vintage can remember the glory days, but the younger element within our support base are highly unlikely to witness anything more than the odd trip to Wembley.

If Everton win the league, then brace yourselves for what will happen.
One time we won the league then World War started. One time we won the league then World War 2 started. And One time we won the league and English clubs were banned from Europe.

So that's 2x we had Championship winning teams that were unable to defend their title. And 2x we had a championship winning team that couldn't compete in Europe.

Then they wonder why Everton fans are pessimistic.

Martinez rejects notion that Stones has requested a move
by Lyndon Lloyd | 21/08/2015 58 Comments [Jump to last]
Boss not drawn over Yarmolenko; Mirallas fit for Sunday

Roberto Martinez says he is unaware of any decision on the part of defender John Stones to hand in a transfer request in the face of three rejected bids for his services from Chelsea.
The manager was again asked about Stones at his pre-match press conference ahead of the home clash with Manchester City on Sunday after baseless claims about the 21-year-old's intentions were made in The Sun newspaper.

The tabloid claimed that the centre-half, for whom Chelsea have reportedly bid £20m, £26m and £30m in recent weeks, is "set to" request a transfer from Goodison Park, the latest galling attempt from the gutter press to push the Barnsley-born player away from Everton.

"I'm not aware of any transfer request [from John Stones]. The only focus is on Man City on Sunday. I have no problems picking John for that game," Martinez said.

"The Southampton game has given us a feel-good factor and shown what we can do. The performance showed a level needed to win games."

The Catalan said that Kevin Mirallas is now "100% fit" after he was left on the bench during the win at St Mary's last weekened.

Martinez refused to be drawn on the intense speculation surrounding Everton's interest in Andriy Yarmolenko for whom the club have reportedly agreed a £14,25m fee.

"We will use the transfer window in our favour," is all the manager would say when asked about the Ukrainian as he repeated his desire to bring in quality additions to the squad.

"In terms of transfers I like to be involved all the way through. Players must fit a profile that we look for."

"When we announce a player, our fans will be the first to know."



comments

If Stones handed in a transfer request, Martinez would be the first to know. Therefor, he obviously hasnt. Im confident in Stones staying with us.

..and you can't exactly believe what's written anyway. Below is a report on Sky Sports which contradicts itself within a matter of several lines.
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Everton have agreed a £15m deal to sign forward Andriy Yarmolenko from Dynamo Kiev, according to Sky sources.
It is believed the Ukraine international, who scored in Dynamo's 5-2 win over Everton in the Europa League last season, has a buy-out clause in his contract.

Sky sources understand contact has been made between the clubs over a transfer but no deal has been agreed

Lukaku's latest soundbytes are music to Everton ears
by Lyndon Lloyd | 22/08/2015 40 Comments [Jump to last]
Romelu Lukaku has publicly urged John Stones to ignore any lure from Chelsea and stick with a club that has "massive potential" while also vowing to "dominate" Manchester City's defenders in tomorrow's big match.
The Belgian striker spoke from his own experience at Stamford Bridge when he warned his Everton teammate that the grass isn't always greener at a club like the current Champions and expressed his belief that he is better off where he is at Goodison Park.

Apart from the usual under-handed tabloid gossip, there have been no indications that Stones is even contemplating handing in a transfer request before the transfer window – in any case, Roberto Martinez says it would be pointless as it is too late – but Lukaku's words are timely and welcome all the same.

“John is in a good situation at a good club which believes in him,” Lukaku said in The Telegraph. “He is playing and is learning from Phil Jagielka. He’s been here two years now but this is the year where he really needs to confirm he is the top player he can be.

"This club has massive potential, with the players we have and ambitious manager. He is in a good place. He’s in a good situation. He needs to keep on doing what he’s doing. He has the Euros coming up, so why go?

"When you go to Chelsea at young age it’s up to you if you want to survive. Do you really want to fight for your place? You get maybe one or two chances, and if you take them you will continue getting them. But sometimes it depends on the situation too. It’s really up to you as a player.

“I made a decision to leave, because in my mind, I thought: I am 21. What’s going to happen now? I chose to go to a project where there are young players trying to develop into top players and win titles along the way. I could easily have stayed at Chelsea to fight for my place. But you never know.

“Here, the plan was clear. Bring young players over, grow them into top players and win titles. I was seeing myself as part of that, so that’s why I signed here on a permanent deal.”

In terms of his immediate prospects, Lukaku is clearly in bullish mood following a diligent pre-season fitness programme and an impressive brace at Southampton last weekend and though his sights are set on the visit of Manchester City this weekend, he is again talking of his ambition to be as good as the very best strikers in the modern game.

“If you want to be one of the best you have to look at the best,” Lukaku continues. “For me at the moment that’s men like Diego Costa and Agüero. Costa because he has that combativity. He terrorises defences just with a look in his opponent’s eye.

“Costa plays on the edge. I’m not on the edge but if I get the ball and start running, just get out of the way because you’ll be on the floor.

"I’ll try to dominate [City's defence] as much as I can. I’m taller than them, I’m bigger than them so I’m not scared. If I win the physical battles I know I will have a good game.”



comments

Great thoughts from Rom - some of the perpetual wingers & conspiracy theorists will be stunned by this, although they'll probably manage to put a negative spin on it.
What a great boost for Roberto - one of the best endorsements of his dealings with players we've seen. I've been a big fan of Rom since we first saw him in a Royal Blue shirt, although there are clearly short-comings to be addressed. Fitness permitting, I firmly believe if he gets good service, from quick tempo moves with the ball played in front of him, he'll score a good number of goals for us.

Made up with Rom! I think John Stones wants to stay anyway. It's pissing off those hacks from the National Press who can't believe that "a small club like Everton" can possibly turn round and tell the so called big boys (spoilt little rich boys more like) he's not for sale.
Made up with Roberto too, a class performance in contrast to the spoilt brat dahn sarff

John Stones: Everton must make a statement by keeping hold of wantaway defender
19:48, 25 AUGUST 2015 UPDATED 19:59, 25 AUGUST 2015
BY PHIL KIRKBRIDE


Roberto Martinez is up for the fight of keeping John Stones at Everton

“It's always the same question and always the same answer.”

It was only at lunchtime on Tuesday, just before the Everton players arrived at Finch Farm for training, that Roberto Martinez was at pains to reinforce the club’s stance.

The message remained clear: he is not for sale.

Soon after Martinez had spoken, John Stones handed in a transfer request.



And so now, after the young defender has had a change of heart and decided to force through a move to Chelsea, Everton’s resolve will truly be tested.

Martinez, in public and private, has been adamant about Stones’ future, and said last week that the submission of a transfer request would not change that.

Let’s hope that Everton are as good as their word.

Two fingers to Chelsea
Forget tying James McCarthy up to a new deal, bringing the Catalan Kid Gerard Deulofeu back or landing any other signings this summer, telling Stones is he going nowhere would be the best bit of business Everton will do.

It would be a statement.

It would be two fingers to Chelsea who have behaved with arrogance this summer, believing Everton would roll out the red carpet and be thankful for their interest.

It would also be a sign to the supporters that Everton are determined to build a team with Stones right at the heart of it.

But the Blues have to stand firm, resist the wishes of Stones and stand by Martinez, who has fronted their defiance from day one.

You can fully understand why Stones, a future England captain, has been attracted by Chelsea’s interest and would want to go to the Premier League champions.

He wouldn’t be human if he wasn’t.

But what is best for his career, right now, is to stay at Everton. With the European Championships coming up next summer, Stones needs to be playing regularly, Premier League football every week. That’s what he will get at Everton.

It’s near enough guaranteed but at Chelsea, despite what they may be telling him, that is far less certain.

Would Mourinho be as forgiving as Martinez?
Stones is emerging into a wonderful defender, a classy, cultured centre-half in the modern mould.

After being brought to Everton by David Moyes, it has been under Martinez that the 21-year-old has flourished and become the most in-demand defender in the country.

But after less than 50 appearances in the Premier League, Stones is still learning the game. As he did last season, Stones will still make mistakes. Martinez will continue to encourage his risky style of play and accept that mistakes are part of his development.

Will Mourinho be so forgiving? Would he think twice about dropping Stones? This, after all, is a man who substituted his captain at half time in a recent game.

That is not an environment he needs to be going into at this stage of his career.

He obviously feels differently. Not that he’s shown anything less than full commitment to Everton since this sorry saga began.

But now, all that matters, is how Everton feel.

They have been absolutely certain about Stones all summer. If they remain this way - and we hope they do - then Stones stays put.

It is disappointing that Stones has felt the need to hand in a transfer request but both he and the Blues can move on from this.

The question hasn’t changed but the situation has. The answer must remain the same.


(Personally if the Everton Board don't back Martinez in his stance reckon the Everton fans will be hiring the Red Arrows to fly over Goodison with banners) Latest betting is 1-6 he goes to Chelsea. This isn't over in my opinion bidding war will probably break out now, Stones is a Man U Fan if they show any interest my moneys on him going there.

Anywhere but Chelsea!!!

Everton FC will reject John Stones transfer request, says Roberto Martinez






23:31, 26 August 2015
By Neil Jones


Blues boss determined to keep defender and fires warning to Chelsea that money can't buy everything


Roberto Martinez says Everton will reject John Stones' transfer request on Thursday - as he reiterated his desire to keep the defender at Goodison.

Speaking after the Blues' 5-3 Capital One Cup second round win at Barnsley, Martinez confirmed the club had received a formal request from the 21-year-old, who is keen to push through a move to Chelsea.



Stones' request is yet to be officially rejected, but Martinez says the matter will be dealt with “in the morning” as he called on the footballing authorities to do more to protect players from becoming unsettled by transfer approaches.

Asked if Stones' request had been rejected, Martinez said: “Not yet. Today was a match day and that's a priority. We will reject it in the morning and get on with our business.”

Martinez insisted that chairman Bill Kenwright would not be forced into doing business with Chelsea despite reports of a fourth bid, which could be worth as much as £40m.

“The situation with John is very clear,” he said. “We care about him, we will protect him and give him everything we can to allow him to enjoy his football. During this tough period, we are going to be there for him.

“We have great ambition, great desire and great plans for John.



“We've got to a point now, in life and in football, where money can't buy everything. That's going to be a very strong statement from Everton; we want to be a winning side, and clearly John is a big part of the future.

“We are a football club with ambition and incredible history. We have a chairman that will do the right thing for the football club and for the team.

“And as a true Evertonian, we are clear that he (Kenwright) will not be easily influenced into taking the money and into doing things that will make our team weaker.

“This is not a moment in the campaign where we can use money to make us stronger. I feel really let down by the football authorities in this. We should look after our players.”

Asked if he was surprised to receive Stones' transfer request, he said: “I was not surprised. As a young man, you are under massive pressure and you are going to get influences.

“Where that influence came from, I don't know, but we will look after John, understand him. We need to give some value to contracts. There needs to be a more serious touch about making sure contracts are important.”

Martinez then turned his attention to the “footballing authorities”, reiterating his stance that the transfer window should close before the season gets underway.



He said: “I'm repeating myself, but I will say it again. I think it's wrong for the footballing authorities to allow the window to be open when there are important official games being played.

“We shouldn't put our players under that massive pressure, where it becomes a bit of a circus.

“I had no doubts about selecting John tonight, not at all. But it's an example for the football authorities. They have to do something about it.

“We're going up and down the country and every dressing room has the same situation.

“What do we end up with? We allow players to feel bad about themselves, not to be proud of representing their colours? It becomes unsustainable, and it needs to be changed.

“Players are human, and human beings deserve the time to think about the next step in their careers. But that can not happen when there are official games, big games, chances to go to Wembley.”

On the pitch, at least, Martinez had reason to smile; Everton fought back from a 2-0 half-time deficit to win 5-3 after extra time, and will now travel to Reading in round three next month.

Club Statement: From The Chairman




27 August 2015 17:45




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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.

Bill Kenwright
Chairman, Everton Football Club

Is anybody getting the betting right ?.....apart from ManCity....can't be 100% right on anybody...