There have been murmurs about the Blues’ interest in the highly-rated 21-year-old throughout this summer, and it appears Chelsea FC have made their first real move to bring the Everton centre-half to Stamford Bridge
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Despite John Terry’s consistent brilliance throughout last season – both in terms of his football and his fitness – the Chelsea FC legend is on the wrong side of 30 and the club would likely be looking for a long-term replacement for the centre-back. To that effect, the Blues have allegedly made an official bid for Everton youngster John Stones.
Everton turn down A?20 million offer for Stones
According to the very reliable English media outlet Sky Sports News, Chelsea FC have had a A?20 million bid for John Stones turned down by Everton.
Everton have rejected a A?20m bid from Chelsea for John Stones, Sky sources understand: http://t.co/6FQRnts8sw pic.twitter.com/VJq3NqWoPZ
a Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 17, 2015
The 21-year-old had a breakthrough 2014-2015 season with the Merseyside club, cementing his spot in the starting line-up alongside compatriot Phil Jagielka at the heart of the Toffees’ defence. His impressive form at club level has also seen him earn a call-up to Roy Hodgson’s England squad, for whom he made his d but in May last year.
Stones a potential replacement for Terry at club and international level
Chelsea FC have been the beneficiaries of John Terry’s enormous talent for over a decade now, but finding a long-term replacement for the former English captain is something that would likely have been on the club’s agenda.
John Stones could potentially be just that. The young centre-back is fast, athletic, technically sound, and exceedingly comfortable on the ball. The Blues already have Kurt Zouma on their books, who could – with a player like Stones – form a formidable partnership at the heart of Chelsea’s defence for years to come.
The former Barnsley defender is also seen in England as the future captain of the national side, with the youngster having already made four appearances for the Three Lions. It is quite certain that he will go on to make many more, and a move to Chelsea FC could help take his career with the national team to the next level.
Transfer fee likely to be stumbling block
Although Everton and Chelsea FC appear to have good relations, with a lot of transfer business conducted between the clubs recently, Stones’ transfer fee is likely to be the most significant hurdle for the Blues to clear.
The Toffees have handed their star talent the iconic no.5 shirt and clearly expect him to play a big role in the coming season with the first-team. As such, they are likely to demand anywhere up to – and possibly even beyond – A?30 million for Stones.
Although Johnny Evans is expected to complete a move to the Merseyside club from Manchester United, it is likely that he is being considered as competition for Stones and Jagielka rather than as a replacement for either player.
With Chelsea FC in the market for a centre-back, this move hinges on how much Mourinho really wants Stones this summer. Indeed, the Englishman himself might prefer staying at the club for another season before making the step up, and any potential deal could be structured to allow that to happen.
In either case, this appears to be just the start of a saga that has the potential to drag on for the entire summer, and possibly even beyond that.
