‘Good riddance…’
Anyone who has ever visited Goodison Park will know that Everton fans are ferociously protective of their own. As well as shouting “HANDBALL!” every time the ball is above knee height, they manage to create a caustic atmosphere that can inspire the home side whilst unnerving the opposition.
That said, like all strong loyalties, once someone betrays that affection, they soon become persona non grata in the strongest possible terms. Players come and go and that’s part and parcel of the modern game, but when you hanker for a move and stop giving your all, it’s not going to end well.
John Stones has finally got his move away from Merseyside, joining Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City for a fee that could reach £50m with add-ons. There is no doubting that the 22-year-old is extremely technically gifted and has the potential to become a very fine player indeed.
That said, there is a sense at Everton that the player’s form plateaued over the last 12-18 months, and that it wasn’t completely down to being managed by Roberto Martinez. Stones is young and will make mistakes, but some doubt the level of his commitment to the Toffees in recent times.
It is perhaps why many – although not all – Evertonians are happy to see him finally fly the nest, especially for a record sell-on fee. As you can see below, it’s a case of goodbye and good riddance for a player whose heart had been elsewhere for some time.
https://twitter.com/Wilfy_1979/status/762974668487856128
Hopefully we'll get Williams now to replace overrated stones!! #EFC
— Ben Verdin (@benverdin) August 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/StevSteen/status/762956347033919488
https://twitter.com/Lewisfoster03/status/762960025652428800
https://twitter.com/HayGoree/status/762944761221222400
Oh well bye bye stones good riddance! now let's get no nonsense defenders in who can defend. Williams is a great start 👍🏻 #EFC
— Colin Kelso (@bluekelso_78) August 9, 2016
Bye Stones, good riddance, a complete liability at times. The club is always bigger.
— Alex Laing (@AJL1878) August 9, 2016
John stones to be the next jack Rodwell, good riddance
— Sam Eaton (@E10SAM) August 9, 2016
John stones ya a disgrace fella, good riddance
— Sunday Night Blues Space 👍💙 (@mickmckeownSNB) August 9, 2016
Good riddance to Stones- legend in his own lunchtime. #city ripped off again! More money than sense. Somebody show him where row Z is? #EFC
— Ricardo (@Evertoneon) August 9, 2016
John Stones what a absolute myth 50 million take that all day, dont know how anyone can defend him, good riddance not bigger than the club
— Jamie Murphy (@JamieMurphy18) August 9, 2016
STONES IS A FRAUD
HE WEARS A MAGIC HAT
THINKS HES BIGGER THAN OUR CLUB
COS HES A FUCKING RAT— Zak (@Zak_1878) August 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/arthurwebber99/status/762953195765268480
Stones was part of the worst defence in Everton's history. Good riddance. Take the millions and run. Hope he never reaches his potential
— SomeEvertonfan (@SomeEvertonFan) July 12, 2016
Hope stones breaks his leg the rat
— Tom (@tomfarrington_) August 9, 2016
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