Martinez: John Stones didn’t mean to hand in transfer request
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has revealed that John Stones was pressured into handing in a transfer request and that it wasn’t something that he meant to do.
The Catalan didn’t reveal who had pressured the 21 year old defender but says that he is a true Evertonian and that he will never let the team down.
“He’s such a professional,” the Everton boss said. “I had other situations where I had players who couldn’t cope and couldn’t play.
“I had windows where I had to leave players out completely and when the window closed get him back in the team and what that represents – winning his team-mates over and the fans over.
“With John, it’s very easy because he’s a pristine professional. Obviously he’s been put under massive, massive pressure. The transfer request was something he didn’t mean to do.”
Asked if Stones had expressed regret to him over the transfer request, Martinez added: “No, no, no. We haven’t spoken about that. All we’ve been speaking about is the game and what we need to do. He’s been a leader in that.
“[On Saturday] you saw a 21-year-old deal with that pressure and he played in that manner. For me, it shows he has potential to be England captain.”
“He knows the fans will be with him, he knows the fans will understand what’s happened,” Martinez said.
“The way he has always been performing – he’s always been a top professional, never letting the team down or the football club down. He is a true Evertonian.”
Can Stones move on from this?
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Make him change his agent!!