Roberto Martinez believes there are some shady dealings going on at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho hopes to pry highly regard and coveted Everton defender John Stones away before the close of the summer transfer window.
It’s not Mourinho that Martinez blames and flat out accused Thursday, though. Instead, it’s veteran Chelsea defender John Terry with whose comments Martinez takes most umbrage.
Terry recently dubbed Stones a player with “the potential to be the best center half England has produced,” which Martinez interpreted as attempted flattery and tapping up of his promising 21-year-old.
On Thursday, Martinez responded to Terry’s “illegal” comments, from the Guardian:
“That is wrong; that is illegal. The rules don’t allow you to comment on players who are registered at other clubs in that open manner. That is disappointing.”
…
“The whole John Stones situation has come through the media because a club made a bid and made it public. 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 center 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.”
Emphatic words from Mr. Martinez, but one thing must be remembered in any prolonged transfer saga: money talks — and it does so especially loudly to a club with the transfer policy of Everton.
