Chelsea are used to being given the runaround by Everton, but they’d better buckle up for another fight this summer.
Both clubs are being frustrated by the Toffees’ attempts to hold onto John Stones, who they have warned will not be allowed to leave the club even if he makes a formal transfer request.
Stones has made it clear he has no intention of staying at Goodison Park, with Chelsea his most likely suitors as they have made two bids for him in the past.
Yet, The Independent report that Chelsea, Manchester City, and even Manchester United will all be disappointed with Everton’s stance.
One of those Chelsea bids even offered £37million, which in hindsight, Everton maybe should have taken, though it doesn’t seem they’ve learned their lesson.
The 22-year-old had a thoroughly disappointing season as Roberto Martinez’ side developed an unwanted reputation as one of the leakiest defences in the top flight, particularly at home.
Now that Martinez is gone and Ronald Koeman is in the hot seat, Stones has a chance to improve again.
But for his career to really progress, he needs to push for a move away even harder this summer.
If he does that, though, he risks alienating Koeman, who is by all accounts a man you don’t want to fall out with, and still being robbed of the chance to seal his dream move away.
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