José Mourinho has sanctioned a fresh bid of £30 million for Everton and England defender John Stones, according to Matt Law of the Telegraph. However, the defender will cost a pretty penny with the transfer window due to shut in less than two weeks.
Indeed, it is now understood that Everton will only consider an offer in the region of £40 million, which would make Stones the most expensive defender in English history, overtaking the likes of Luke Shaw and Rio Ferdinand. Chelsea’s poor start to the season and equally unimpressive performance in the transfer market will only serve to strengthen Everton’s resolve to negotiate a fee as high as possible.
After the 3-0 drumming to Manchester City, it is clear that Mourinho will seek to rebuild his defence. The ‘Special One’ has long prided himself on the defensive solidity and organisation of his sides and the recent acquisition of Baba Rahman is the latest move to restore the blues’ backline.
A key talking point and centre of debate from Chelsea’s defeat on Sunday was Mourinho’s decision to substitute club captain John Terry. The soon to be 35-year-old had featured in every minute of last season’s title-winning campaign and had never been substituted under Mourinho, prior to Chelsea’s defeat at the Etihad. Mourinho insists it was a tactical decision as Chelsea looked to play a higher line, requiring greater pace in defence. Contrastingly it is also believed Mourinho’s decision was a direct plea to the board to reinvest in the squad.
