Martinez: Terry and Chelsea campaign to tap up Stones

Everton manager says Chelsea captain’s comments about centre-half were ‘illegal’

Roberto Martinez has accused John Terry of joining a campaign to lure John Stones to Chelsea. Photograph: PA
Roberto Martinez has accused John Terry of joining a campaign to lure John Stones to Chelsea. Photograph: PA

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has accused John Terry of being part of a Chelsea campaign to lure John Stones.

There has been talk of the Barclays Premier League champions preparing a third bid for 21-year-old defender Stones after so far having €28million and €36million offers rejected by the Toffees this summer.

And Chelsea captain Terry added fuel to the fire earlier this week when he told Sky Sports: "One day I won't be in the team but Chelsea are looking to the likes of John Stones for the future, so the club will continue to grow and do well."

Terry's fellow centre-back Gary Cahil and manager Jose Mourinho have also spoken openly about their admiration for Stones.

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The Merseyside club have not reported Chelsea to the Premier League, but Martinez believes Terry has broken Premier League guidelines in publicly discussing the Blues’ pursuit of the England international.

“That is wrong; that is illegal,” the Spaniard said of Terry’s comment, as quoted in several national newspapers. “The rules don’t allow you to comment on players who are registered at other clubs in that open manner. That is disappointing.”

Martinez continued: “We have a fantastic relationship between the two clubs. In the past we made our biggest investment in Chelsea (signing Romelu Lukaku). We all know there are rules and regulations and it is something we don’t want to see when other clubs speak about your players. It is wrong and it shouldn’t happen. As clubs we have a good understanding of where we are.”

The Everton manager insisted his club were under no pressure to sell the highly rated youngster.

“The whole John Stones situation has come through the media because a club made a bid and made it public,” he said. “We have never been in a situation of commenting. We have a very talented young player who really has the potential to be the best centre-half England has produced, so you are going to get that attraction. That is natural, healthy and very, very positive.

“But a player can make a decision when the clubs say he can make a decision. There is nothing to make a decision on. There is no negotiation. There is no relationship between the clubs in terms of trying to find a deal.

“The modern game has gone in such a way that sometimes there are things you cannot control. But what you can control is your own finances and we are not a football club that has to sell to balance the books. If you think we need to sell John Stones to balance the books, that is not the case.”

Martinez earlier insisted at his Thursday morning press conference that he was not worried about the speculation surrounding Stones, but acknowledged the player has been affected by the situation.

Asked whether Chelsea’s interest had affected Stones, Martinez said: “Yes — and it is something where you hope you learn from it and you get more mature and those experiences are good experiences.

“Clearly John is one of the outstanding young talents that we have in the squad and you are going to get that sort of interest from the outside.”

Martinez also revealed he wants to bring three more players in before the end of the transfer window and overall cut a relaxed figure on Thursday as he previewed his side’s 2015-16 Premier League opener, Saturday’s home clash with promoted Watford.

He expects Stones and winger Kevin Mirallas to be available for the Watford game despite the pair picking up ankle knocks in last weekend's friendly against Villarreal.

But forward Gerard Deulofeu is a doubt due to a hamstring problem, while striker Romelu Lukaku, who has had a hamstring issue of his own, will be assessed over the next 48 hours.

Tony Hibbert, Steven Pienaar, Darron Gibson, Muhamed Besic and Aiden McGeady all miss out due to injury.

Martinez — whose team finished 11th last season — is keen to add a trio of new personnel to his group.

He said: “In order to be competitive for the next 10 months, we need three new signings and that is what we are going to work extremely hard on between now and the deadline.”

Deulofeu, Tom Cleverley and David Henen have already arrived this summer and teenage River Plate midfielder Tomas Andrade looks set to be signed up on loan.

“He is a young man with a terrific talent, who is already with us,” Martinez said of Andrade.

“Hopefully we are going to agree a loan to allow him to get used to the British game. He is one for the future, not for the first team straight away.”