Everton fans abuse John Stones after Barnsley game; Martinez to reject transfer request
Everton won 3-5 against Barnsley after escaping a major upset in the League Cup tie. Their young defender John Stones came under fire from the club’s own fans after he reportedly submitted a transfer request that Roberto Martinez said he would reject speaking after the game. The Merseyside team’s fans called Stones a “rat” and allegedly followed him home. Twitter users even reported seeing the defender reduced to tears when fans asked him about his future.
The Premier League team looked in deep trouble as they conceded 2 goals in the first 30 minutes of the game. The task for Everton looked a tough one as the scoreline remained the same as they went in at the half-time mark. They would then make a strong start to the second half and equalise only to once again concede to the League One team at the hour mark. A Lukaku equaliser late on in the game and 2 extra time goals would earn them passage to the next round.
During the game, John Stones appeared to jump over one of the shots from the Barnsley players earning him some criticism. Everton fans, though cheered his every touch in the game while anti-Mourinho chants echoed through the stadium.
After the game, things would turn a bit ugly very quickly as clips emerged of Everton fans calling Stones a “rat” and telling him to “F*** off”.
Everton to refuse Stones transfer request
Roberto Martinez has been defiant through the whole Stones transfer saga involving Premier League champions Chelsea, insistent that the young centre-back will not move away from the Merseyside club this summer. He stuck to his guns when asked directly if Everton had rejected a transfer request from Stones, ESPN reported.
“Not yet because it was a match day and that was the priority. We will reject it in the morning (Thursday) and get on with our business,” Martinez said.
The Spanish manager then went on to praise Stones performance for his team under a lot of pressure. He also criticised the decision of football authorities to leave the transfer window open while the teams are involved in active football season.
He said: “I am repeating myself, but I don't think it is right for the football authorities to allow the window to be open when there are important games.
“We shouldn't put our players under that massive pressure. It becomes a bit of a circus.”
Martinez also spoke about providing Stones all the protection they could, adding that money would not be a determining factor in the transfer and that Everton would make a bold statement to clubs that think money can buy everything.
“The situation with John is very clear. We care about him, we will protect him and make sure we give him everything we can to allow him to enjoy his football.
"Clearly we have got to a point - in life and football - when sometimes money can't buy everything and I think that is going to be a very strong statement at Everton.
“We have a chairman who will do the right thing for the club and for the team and as a true Evertonian we are clear he will not be easily influenced in taking the money and accepting things which will clearly make our team weaker.
"This is not a moment of the campaign when we can use any money to get us stronger.”