You've been pretty vocal, saying that accepting the Wigan deal is good for the club. What do you think now that Everton have come in for him? Seems like Everton have been monitoring the situation all along, keeping their powder dry, waiting for us to buckle. Wigan make an offer, we accept it, Everton match it. Isn't it entirely plausible that if we'd refused Wigan's offer then Everton would have come in and offered more? They played brinkmanship with us, took us to the final day and got their prize. Probably for a lot less than they were willing to pay. Or maybe not, so what do we lose? Nothing, because we would still have John Stones.
I think £3 million up front plus add ons is a good deal, regardless of who it came from. £2 million maybe not so much... What you're saying is entirely possible. Of course it is. But Wigan bidding might have meant Everton have come along and offered more than they would've done without us accepting Wigan's. We'll never know. It's disappointing losing a player like him, course it is, but I can't wait to watch him on MOTD.
That's all pure speculation, as is what I'm about to say. Maybe Everton knew what the asking price was (the club denied they'd received any offers, but that doesn't mean that they didn't receive any casual enquiries or were told by Stones' agent what figure might be accepted), but were also looking at the young Leeds full back as well. Wigan tried to steal a march on them by agreeing early, Everton then came in after deciding they want Stones more than the Leeds lad, and were willing to meet the asking price. We just can't say either way .....
Generally speaking, I think a lot of us are more jaded by this seasonal poaching than others. If you are below the age of say, 33 - you still have all this disillusion to come. I am coming to terms with the cold fact that I have already seen the best and most successful team Barnsley will ever produce and everything else will be a perennial disappointment. I am left wondering whether the existence of Skysports is the root of all evil or actually an anecdote for the brutally disenfranchised. Good luck John Stones, it was nice watching you play 6 or 7 times.
Where's he most likely to get a game? Can't see him displacing England International Layton Baines anytime soon, unless we get him straight back to the end of the season could be a big step back in terms of his footballing development, so needs to think carefully about it, doesn't want end up doing a Hammill and wasting a year rotting in the stiffs.
Yeah I'm not sure Stones is going there with the ambition of taking Baines left back spot. Jagielka playing out of position at RB at the moment.
Id agree with Dyson. £2m with add ons is less than id have valued him at and wanted for him. Would like to know if there is a sell on clause.
yeah, sorry its Coleman who plays right back, don't think he's going to dislodge him either, great player.
money talks,and a lad of his age isnt going to miss out on a pay day like this.. I personally think its ridiculous that we can get 3 million for an 18 year old with 6 months under his belt,,,,,,I also think its ridiculous that 20 year olds are fetching 50 million,,money buying sucess isnt sport,its business,but I like my football so i've got to put up with it......I hope the entire premier league goes tits up one day.
