Transfer Centre

Jose Mourinho: 'Everton must make decision over John Stones'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 21 July 2015

Jose Mourinho says that he does not blame Everton for remaining firm over the sale of John Stones, but hints that a fresh approach to transfers will be taken next season.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has admitted that he does not blame Everton for wanting to keep hold of defender John Stones.

The young England international is thought to have been the subject of a £20m bid by the Premier League champions last week.

Toffees manager Roberto Martinez later accused Chelsea of trying to unsettle the centre-back, hinting that the club had no intention of selling one of their star assets.

Mourinho has now had his say, telling reporters: "I don't even criticise them. They play the market for themselves. And if the big clubs don't want to go over certain limits, they have to make a decision.

"And that is maybe why none of the top clubs are full of young English players. But that is the market. Our strategy for the Premier League is going to change next year.

"Next year we are going to make the first bid on the day after the window closes. On that day, we will do a bid for the season later."

Stones, who joined Everton from Barnsley in 2013, made 28 appearances for the Toffees in all competitions last season.