- Everton rejected four separate Chelsea bids for John Stones this summer
- The central defender handed in a transfer request but didn't leave
- Chairman Bill Kenwright insists the Toffees aren't a selling club
Bill Kenwright is unwavering in his belief that at no point was John Stones destined to leave Everton for Chelsea – even after handing in a transfer request.
The England international looked as if he’d end up at Stamford Bridge by the end of the summer transfer window.
But Everton held firm, rejecting four bids from the Premier League champions, with Kenwright insisting they are not a selling club.
It had looked like John Stones (centre, with James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman) would leave last month
The central defender was a serious target for champions Chelsea but Everton knocked four bids back
Kenwright labelled Stones (playing for England this week) as the best defender in the country
The chairman labelled Stones as the best defender in the country and remained defiant over their policy of allowing players to depart.
‘John Stones is hugely important to this club, of course. He’s the best centre back in England, surely, and he was never going to leave, never,’ Kenwright told the Mirror.
Stones is set to start against Jose Mourinho’s side when the pair do battle in an ill-timed fixture at Goodison Park days after the transfer window closed.
Bill Kenwright is unwavering in his belief that at no point was John Stones destined to leave Everton for Chelsea – even after handing in a transfer request.
The England international looked as if he’d end up at Stamford Bridge by the end of the summer transfer window.
But Everton held firm, rejecting four bids from the Premier League champions, with Kenwright insisting they are not a selling club.
It had looked like John Stones (centre, with James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman) would leave last month
The central defender was a serious target for champions Chelsea but Everton knocked four bids back
Kenwright labelled Stones (playing for England this week) as the best defender in the country
The chairman labelled Stones as the best defender in the country and remained defiant over their policy of allowing players to depart.
‘John Stones is hugely important to this club, of course. He’s the best centre back in England, surely, and he was never going to leave, never,’ Kenwright told the Mirror.
Stones is set to start against Jose Mourinho’s side when the pair do battle in an ill-timed fixture at Goodison Park days after the transfer window closed.
During that time Chelsea saw offers of £20million, £26m, £30m and finally £37m rejected by the Toffees – with Mourinho attempting to force through a move as the clubs argued via the media.
Kenwright believes that mirrors their long-held stance in a refusal to be bullied by those with more money.
‘They said Luke Garbutt was definitely leaving, wouldn’t sign a new contract,’ he added. ‘And James McCarthy. We had that where he was definitely going apparently, it wasn’t even a question. Kevin Mirallas, too.
McCarthy (jumping in celebration with Ireland) had been linked with a move away but committed to Everton
‘Yet here we are with the window closed, and they all have new long-term deals. They’re still here and they want to play for Everton. It’s an important point.
‘We’re not a selling club. Never really have been.
‘We got £26m for Lescott [from Manchester City in 2009] and I don’t think anyone can argue with that. Fellaini [sold to Manchester United in 2013], we got more than his buy-out clause. And Wayne Rooney? Ten years ago... though we did everything to keep him.'
McCarthy (jumping in celebration with Ireland) had been linked with a move away but committed to Everton
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