If this saga has done nothing else it has probably put about 15million on the value of John Stones.
I think Chelsea may have miscalculated in deciding their strategy.
I think that Chelsea looked at age, experience, CL experience, international caps when deciding on a value. They knew there would be a premium because he is English but that Everton would be keen to sell because of constant money shortages.
Let the opening bid be 20m. It will be rejected but sets the price range in which the transfer would occur...25M if Chelsea get lucky but 30m tops and Everton have a new British record for a defender...everybody wins.
They simply did not realise how highly valued he is at Everton and how upset Everton would become by the tactics used to unsettle the player, maybe even didn't realise how highly rated Stones is in football generally.
The tactics have changed dramatically but the damage has been done as the reference by RM last about money not being able to buy everything proves.
Chelsea then relied on John Stones pushing for a transfer and this is the last hope for Chelsea and again after last night that doesn't appear too promising.
They have a couple of options remaining imo.
1. Look at the purchase of Stones as a longer term project and accept that it may have to wait at least twelve months.
2. Make an offer that even Everton fans are saying we should accept. 40m plus Remy for instance would make us all think twice..it certainly would make me think twice. But, don't try offering us loans or players they simply want off their books.
I think Chelsea may have miscalculated in deciding their strategy.
I think that Chelsea looked at age, experience, CL experience, international caps when deciding on a value. They knew there would be a premium because he is English but that Everton would be keen to sell because of constant money shortages.
Let the opening bid be 20m. It will be rejected but sets the price range in which the transfer would occur...25M if Chelsea get lucky but 30m tops and Everton have a new British record for a defender...everybody wins.
They simply did not realise how highly valued he is at Everton and how upset Everton would become by the tactics used to unsettle the player, maybe even didn't realise how highly rated Stones is in football generally.
The tactics have changed dramatically but the damage has been done as the reference by RM last about money not being able to buy everything proves.
Chelsea then relied on John Stones pushing for a transfer and this is the last hope for Chelsea and again after last night that doesn't appear too promising.
They have a couple of options remaining imo.
1. Look at the purchase of Stones as a longer term project and accept that it may have to wait at least twelve months.
2. Make an offer that even Everton fans are saying we should accept. 40m plus Remy for instance would make us all think twice..it certainly would make me think twice. But, don't try offering us loans or players they simply want off their books.
