John Stones

[IWasHere]

How can you say he is clearly any better though? Denayer has had a great couple of years, breaking into a national side which has a hell of a lot of better options at centre half than Cahill and Smalling. Stones couldn't even dislodge Mori from a lower midtable side last season.

How many times did you watch him play last season?

 

[IWasHere]

Lol Ashley Williams is as bad a defender as Mangala is..For every fantastic game he has,you know he has a mistake and a moment of madness in him..Rather Stones..Will be a very important component in a Pep Team.

You couldn't make it up mate, imagine him the CL

 

[efcblue]

Where they have been for so many years? I make it 1 trophy in the last 30 years, and no immediate prospect of ending that drought. Not a slight on Everton, but the reality is that the rags, the dippers and the Arse have rigged the game in their favour for donkeys years. Clubs like Everton, Southampton and West Ham have one season only in which to spring a surprise (like Leicester just did) before they get raped by the Sky 4. The only reason we were able to get a toehold and then maintain it, was because we had the financial backing of an entire state. Everton don't have that and, new TV deal or no new TV deal, I'd say breaking through the glass ceiling of 7th place is likely to be beyond them for a good few years yet

TV deal is irrelevant. It's a drop in the ocean to what Moshiri (and, looking increasingly more likely, Usmanov too) will bring over the next three years.

Back to Stones.

The point is if Everton keep Stones he would be a fool to sign a contract for more wages this year. Even if he lost out on 2.6m for 1 year he would get that back in a signing on fee and over the long term he would have the potential to earn loads more at a club that is more likely to have success than his current club. So as I say yes Everton hold a strong hand at the moment but that hand will get weaker and weaker. As I say look at James Milner as an example

You think you only get a signing fee when you sign a new contract at a new club?

Football Manager is hugely inaccurate when it comes to contracts and transfers, mate. Stop going by it. Every player gets what you and Football Manager describe as a "signing on fee" when they sign any contract.

You can put Milner as an example, and I can put Suarez as one. What you're saying makes sense from your point of view but in the grand scheme of things, it means very little.

 

[RandomJ]

Where has he said that?

The fact we are interested in Stones doesn't mean the rest are of no value to him

Because he's been desperate to sign a CB and has gone after 3 of them so far? I didn't say they won't be of value but Mangala can't trap a bag of sand, Otamendi is hot and cold and his passing leaves a lot to be desired and Kompany is injury prone. Even in the friendlies the CB's gave the ball away a lot nearly costing us a goal. He will want his ball playing defender.

 

[daztrueblue91]

We're actually in a very good negotiating position over Stones.

He wants to join us, has agreed personal terms and we know the figure what Everton want.

We are not too far apart in the valuation of Stones and a compromise of less than £50 million up front but with add ons which will take it over the £50 million will probably be reached.

I also can't see Everton wanting to deal with fallout if it falls through.

 

[Machiavelli]

JJ?

 

[mosssideblue]

Because he's been desperate to sign a CB and has gone after 3 of them so far? I didn't say they won't be of value but Mangala can't trap a bag of sand, Otamendi is hot and cold and his passing leaves a lot to be desired and Kompany is injury prone. Even in the friendlies the CB's gave the ball away a lot nearly costing us a goal. He will want his ball playing defender.

My response would be that if we are that desperate for Stones (or any other for that matter), we may well have paid what they wanted by now. I get the impression that Pep is fully in agreement with Txiki and would not be too perturbed if this doesn't get over the line.

Writing off the Mangler and Ota without them playing any competitive games under Pep is rather premature IMO

 

[mosssideblue]

We're actually in a very good negotiating position over Stones.

He wants to join us, has agreed personal terms and we know the figure what Everton want.

We are not too far apart in the valuation of Stones and a compromise of less than £50 million up front but with add ons which will take it over the £50 million will probably be reached.

I also can't see Everton wanting to deal with fallout if it falls through.

I'm in the other camp mate. I think Everton hold all the aces as they know he wants to join us and we want him. I feel any deal will be on their terms

 

[RandomJ]

My response would be that if we are that desperate for Stones (or any other for that matter), we may well have paid what they wanted by now. I get the impression that Pep is fully in agreement with Txiki and would not be too perturbed if this doesn't get over the line.

Writing off the Mangler and Ota without them playing any competitive games under Pep is rather premature IMO

lol so many people overestimate Pep's abilities. He has more chance of turning lead into gold than turning Mangala into a ball playing defender.

 

[mosssideblue]

lol so many people overestimate Pep's abilities. He has more chance of turning lead into gold than turning Mangala into a ball playing defender.

You may be right, but only a fool would go public now and announce he knows what peps capabilities are