2. John Stones (Everton)
If there’s a transfer rumour that keeps on rolling at the market surface, it’s the one about John Stones as the Blues and Manchester City battle it out fiercely in a move to land the defender this summer. Both the clubs want him pretty bad as the reports suggest that Chelsea put in a serious bid to beat Manchester City in the race to acquire Everton defender this summer. Although, the Blues tabled a series of bids last year for the 21-year-old Stones, but the then boss Jose Mourinho was told in no uncertain terms that the defender was staying put at Goodison Park even in the face of the £30m offer.The club’s interest has reloaded fuel to sign him up on a new deal yet again, making him an improved offer on the £30m they tabled last year as they look to replace John Terry. Meanwhile, Chelsea faces stiff competition from City who would love to bring Stones to the Etihad as a welcome present for incoming boss Pep Guardiola and might lose the battle altogether if they don’t get ahead of their sluggish transfer market behaviour.
Stones has impressed with his attitude after his transfer request was rejected by Everton. He also knuckled down and refused to let his football suffer because of what was happening off the field. He joined Everton from Barnsley for £3m in 2013 and has been seen at Chelsea as a long-term successor to John Terry, who is sweating on his Stamford Bridge future. The Chelsea skipper’s contract expires in June and he has yet to be offered a new deal.