Sky
Sports’ Paul Merson believes John Stones would benefit more from
playing a bit-part role at Chelsea this season learning from John Terry,
rather than being a regular at Everton.
The highly-rated 21-year-old centre-back’s future remains at the centre of
speculation despite Chelsea having failed in two bids for the Englishman –
the second of which is thought to have been worth £25m.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez reiterated on Thursday that Stones is not
for sale and insisted “we are not a selling club who will lose our best
performers”.
With John Terry and Gary Cahill mainstays at the heart of a Chelsea defence,
which has proved the meanest in the Premier League for the past two seasons,
questions have been raised as to how many games Stones would play initially,
were he to move to the reigning champions.
However, Merson reckons the chance to learn from the 34-year-old Terry would
be invaluable for Stones’ development, even if he did not start every week.
“I always think the hardest thing in the world is to put the ball in the
back of the net and make chances for people. But then you look at Mangala
who has gone to Man City for £30m and hasn’t done anything at the moment, so
£26m for someone…” Merson told Sky Sports News HQ.
“But he [Stones] needs to get there as soon as possible. If Chelsea are
going to buy him they need to buy him now to work with John Terry over this
season and maybe next season – but definitely this season.
“And John will help him. A player of John Terry’s calibre with look after
the player. He will talk him through [the games] and even if he plays 10
games in a season I think it’s better than playing 30 for Everton.
“[Phil] Jagielka’s a good player but he’s got to be looking after his own
game, he can’t start looking after John Stones at the same time. It helps a
younger player in my opinion.
“You looked at it the other day – he’s still got a lot to do. The Watford
goal is a poor goal [to concede], so there is a lot to do with the lad, but
I think he learns a lot more at Chelsea with John Terry.”
Despite Martinez’s insistence that Stones will remain at Goodison Park,
Merson suspects Everton will still find it hard to keep hold of the
youngster beyond the September 1 transfer deadline.
“I wouldn’t say cash in like it’s the deal of the century and they’ve had a
result, but I think they’ll do well to keep the lad,” the former Arsenal and
England striker added.
“You are talking about one of the top teams in the country after him. He’s
going to be looking at it thinking ‘I’m going to be working with the best
manager in the Premier League by a million miles and the best English
centre-half in the Premier League by a million miles in John Terry’.
“They’ll do well to keep him.”
Speaking on
Monday Night Football earlier this week, Martinez was
critical of the fact the transfer window stays open during the first month
of the season.
"The window, when it is open and we have to prepare for official games, is
very, very unfair. I don't think it is right," he said. "I think we should
have a period where we assemble our squad, and then once the first league
game starts everyone is focused.
"I think we forget that footballers have a human side and it can really
affect. Players like Stones and [Ross] Barkley have an incredible future and
will attract interest from the outside."
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