Today should be interesting. It was almost embarrassing how the club stuck it's head in the sand after the news broke yesterday (i think West Brom responded within the hour after the news about Berhaino was released). Today they can't avoid it.
These next 6 days will define Martinez's time as Everton manager - it was also be the boards.
A bit a rational thinking.... Stones is a serious talent no doubt, that's why Chelsea have done all they can to create this situation but losing a defender no matter how exceptional will have far less affect on our team than losing a Lukaku or Barkley say. We still leaked goals for fun last season and that was with Stones in the side most of time. If he is allowed to leave we can't replace him like for like but we can improve the team overall if the board give Martinez the funds and he spends wisely. You would hope that with this situation brewing for a month we have already identified possible targets (wishful thinking i'm sure but heck i'm trying to not let Everton ruin another day)
Whether he stays or goes we need to make a decision, act now and try as best we can to come out of this as strong as possible.
There's still hope if Martinez is given the money to spend. Stones leaving doesn't have to be the epic disaster it has potential to be
If he is to go, it needs to get sorted out asap and then Martinez needs to be given the required funds from the sale
If the board leaves it too late and sits on the money, I fear for the clubs future