John Stones

[Pagnell]

When Everton have had players worth buying who bigger clubs have wanted, history has shown they've been just as much of a selling club as any other when the big money has come calling. Rooney, Lescott, Rodwell and Fellaini prove that. Everton fans shouldn't mistake a lack of interest in the vast majority of their players from bigger clubs with them being some sort of bastion of non-selling principle. They held firm over Stones this summer, and they deserved credit for that, but like with Liverpool and Suarez, it's only delaying the inevitable. Even if it isn't Chelsea who end up buying him.

 

[Christian Slater]

I could see them going for Stones too. And I think it'd be the best fit for him out of the top clubs. He's better than Jones, Utd are already fairly sound defensively but still have that slot alongside Smalling to fill. The England link up with Smalling and Shaw will appeal as any England manager would look to play a settled back line. Out of the other clubs City don't need/want him and there's too much competition for him. Wenger will likely stay faithful to his current crop and put Gabriel in when Mertesacker eventually gives up and so that leaves Chelsea where he would replace Terry, but given how things look there right now it's not that appealing. Whilst it'll turn around, the fact that Azpilecueta aside the whole back line could do with replacing means he might end up in a bit of a scrap for places if Chelsea then went mad and bought everyone they could. I'd imagine partnering Smalling is preferable to partnering Zouma or Cahill.

I agree, I think Stones to United makes the most sense. United and Chelsea are the only two that will pay big money for him, so that rules Arsenal out. United could use Jones as a utility player, filling in at CB, RB and DM. It'd also give us an all English back four on occasion.

United won't touch Barkley. He's not good enough and that's one position we don't need strengthened.

 

[Pagnell]

I agree, I think Stones to United makes the most sense. United and Chelsea are the only two that will pay big money for him, so that rules Arsenal out. United could use Jones as a utility player, filling in at CB, RB and DM. It'd also give us an all English back four on occasion.

I don't believe it does. Unless it enters the realms of stupid money, Arsenal have the money there if Wenger views the purchase as being worth it. They paid £42m for Ozil, there is nothing to suggest they couldn't pay more for one of the country's best defenders, especially if it means stopping one of their title rivals from getting him. If Arsenal want to have a chance of winning the league again, this is the type of thing they need to start doing, and they'll be aware of that.

 

[Christian Slater]

Couldn't disagree more. Wenger has always been about value in the market. Stones, whilst good, still has some way to go to justify a £40m+ fee. Ozil was clearly worth the money as he was the finished article. That is the only time you'll see Wenger spending big like that. I'd be shocked if Arsenal were willing to go toe-to-toe with Chelsea and United (if in) in a bidding war for Stones.

 

[Pagnell]

Couldn't disagree more. Wenger has always been about value in the market. Stones, whilst good, still has some way to go to justify a £40m+ fee. Ozil was clearly worth the money as he was the finished article. That is the only time you'll see Wenger spending big like that. I'd be shocked if Arsenal were willing to go toe-to-toe with Chelsea and United (if in) in a bidding war for Stones.

Disagree away. Ozil was the finished article, but was still a gamble as he hadn't played in England. Stones has the advantage in that respect, he's proven his quality in this league despite playing for a middtable team. I would certainly agree both Chelsea and United are more likely, but unlike you I wouldn't rule Arsenal out simply because he's likely to cost over £40m. As I said, Arsenal need to start taking this type of quality away from their rivals if they want to seriously compete for the league. The days of Wenger buying unproven, first team players for a pittance are gone.

 

[Whitechapel]

I think Arsenal would have been interested if he was still "under the radar" and had a value of about £10-15mil. Not now though, he's too much money for a player worth half of what he's valued at just because he's English and has league experience.

Chelsea or United will be his next club, they need help with their defence the most at that end of the table.

 

[johnnytodd]

Who?

Just remember Johnnytodd told you about a lad called ' H ' in 2015 on here.

 

[johnnytodd]

Neither will move to another English club imo.........they have too much about them..........that's why headless chickens like Sterling can't go abroad they have no skill just pace, my Spanish friends laugh at our league its that poor..............these 2 have the lot and it will Barca and Madrid for these 2 blue boys......if at all.

 

[Christian Slater]

Disagree away. Ozil was the finished article, but was still a gamble as he hadn't played in England. Stones has the advantage in that respect, he's proven his quality in this league despite playing for a middtable team. I would certainly agree both Chelsea and United are more likely, but unlike you I wouldn't rule Arsenal out simply because he's likely to cost over £40m. As I said, Arsenal need to start taking this type of quality away from their rivals if they want to seriously compete for the league. The days of Wenger buying unproven, first team players for a pittance are gone.

You're basing your opinion on what you think Arsenal should do opposed to what they actually do. Those days aren't gone at all, Wenger only spends if he sees the value. It would be uncharacteristic to see him spend £40m+ on John Stones.

They're in a title race at the moment so they don't have to change anything to "compete".

 

[Pagnell]

You're basing your opinion on what you think Arsenal should do opposed to what they actually do. Those days aren't gone at all, Wenger only spends if he sees the value. It would be uncharacteristic to see him spend £40m+ on John Stones.

They're in a title race at the moment so they don't have to change anything to "compete".

Yes, I am to an extent. The point is that you claimed him going for a lot of money automatically rules Arsenal out, I'm pointing out it doesn't. We disagree on that which is no issue.

And yes, they are. In November. Pretty much like they have numerous times before in the last decade. For example, this time two years ago they were top of the league, but it didn't stop them finishing 4th.

 

[Christian Slater]

If you're basing everything on previous seasons then City have never won a title convincingly, meaning that someone will run them close because history says so. The only serious contender is Arsenal.

 

[Pagnell]

I'm not basing everything on previous seasons, I'm saying that a team competing in November doesn't mean a whole lot given that we're not even halfway through the campaign. But it can't be ignored that previously Arsenal have been competing at this point of the season yet, since they last won the league, you have to go back to 2008 to find the last time they finished less than 7 points behind the eventual winners. That isn't a title challenge.

 

[Christian Slater]

You just completely contradicted yourself.

Do you think Arsenal could win the title this year? Is there a good chance, half a chance or no chance?

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

Just remember Johnnytodd told you about a lad called ' H ' in 2015 on here.

Who?

 

[johnnytodd]

You just completely contradicted yourself.

Do you think Arsenal could win the title this year? Is there a good chance, half a chance or no chance?

he'll change the subject soon.

 

[johnnytodd]

Who?

H

 

[Christian Slater]

 

[Pagnell]

You just completely contradicted yourself.

No, I didn't.

 

[Christian Slater]

Of course not. You also didn't answer my question.

 

[Pagnell]

Of course not. You also didn't answer my question.

Glad we agree. As for the question, I didn't see it until now, because it was added as an edit as you know. Yes, of course they can win it, but I don't believe they will.

 

[Christian Slater]

That's a bit of a non-committal answer but it at least confirms they are contenders.

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

H

I don't think I'll need to remember that. There's no one called "H" in your academy.

 

[johnnytodd]

I don't think I'll need to remember that. There's no one called "H" in your academy.

its his nickname...........only people itk like me know it and now you of course............watch this space.

 

[Christian Slater]

Cough it up, Toddy.

 

[johnnytodd]

He ran the 100m on grass at 14 years old at 11.85 seconds.

 

[Whitechapel]

It's Deulofeu, he looks like 'H' from Steps.

 

[Christian Slater]

Aaron Lennon is too old to be considered a youth player, despite his boyish good looks.

 

[johnnytodd]

 

[johnnytodd]

He is 6ft 2 inches tall

 

[G.B]

ryan harrington