Friday 7 August 2015 15:38, UK
Everton boss Roberto Martinez has accused John Terry of being part of a campaign to lure John Stones to Chelsea.
There has been talk of the Premier League champions preparing a third bid for 21-year-old defender Stones after so far having £20m and £26m offers rejected.
And Chelsea captain Terry added fuel to the fire earlier this week when he told Sky Sports News HQ: "One day, I won't be in the team but Chelsea are looking to the likes of John Stones for the future, so the club will continue to grow and do well."
Terry's fellow centre-back Gary Cahill and manager Jose Mourinho have also spoken openly about their admiration for Stones.
The Merseyside club have not reported Chelsea to the Premier League, but Martinez believes Terry has broken Premier League guidelines in publicly discussing the Blues' pursuit of the England international.
"That is wrong; that is illegal," the Spaniard told the Daily Telegraph of Terry's comment. "The rules don't allow you to comment on players who are registered at other clubs in that open manner. That is disappointing."
Martinez continued: "We have a fantastic relationship between the two clubs. In the past, we made our biggest investment in Chelsea (signing Romelu Lukaku). We all know there are rules and regulations and it is something we don't want to see when other clubs speak about your players. It is wrong and it shouldn't happen. As clubs, we have a good understanding of where we are."
If you think we need to sell John Stones to balance the books, that is not the case.
The Everton manager insisted his club were under no pressure to sell the highly-rated youngster.
"The whole John Stones situation has come through the media because a club made a bid and made it public," he said. "We have never been in a situation of commenting.
"We have a very talented young player who really has the potential to be the best centre-half England has produced, so you are going to get that attraction. That is natural, healthy and very, very positive.
"But a player can make a decision when the clubs say he can make a decision. There is nothing to make a decision on. There is no negotiation. There is no relationship between the clubs in terms of trying to find a deal.
"The modern game has gone in such a way that sometimes there are things you cannot control. But what you can control is your own finances and we are not a football club that has to sell to balance the books. If you think we need to sell John Stones to balance the books, that is not the case."
Martinez expects Stones and winger Kevin Mirallas to be available for the Watford game despite the pair picking up ankle knocks in last weekend's friendly against Villarreal.
But Gerard Deulofeu is a doubt due to a hamstring problem, while Lukaku, who has had a hamstring issue of his own, will be assessed over the next 48 hours. Tony Hibbert, Steven Pienaar, Darron Gibson, Muhamed Besic and Aiden McGeady all miss out due to injury.
