Chelsea Join Arsenal In The Race For Premier League Starlet

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The London duo are both keen on Everton’s Stones.

The impressive form of Everton defender John Stones has seen interest from Arsenal and now their London rivals Chelsea have also joined the hunt for the teenager, according to the Daily Mail.

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The 19-year-old has been at Goodison Park since a £3m January transfer from Barnsley in 2013, with then Toffees manager David Moyes beating Manchester United and Wigan Athletic to the youngster.

At the time Roberto Martinez was the Latics boss and therefore as a known admirer of Stones it was always likely the England Under-21 international would get plenty of game time once the Spaniard took over on Merseyside.

So it has proven thus far, with the defensive ace having made 22 appearances in all competitions this season, initially starting as a right-back but having been more impressive since moving to central defence.

This is what has attracted the Gunners, who could do with a player of Stones’ versatility at the back due to the impending departure of Bacary Sagna and club captain Thomas Vermaelen.

Yet the north Londoners face stiff competition from the Blues, who also need defensive support as Ashley Cole, David Luiz and their own skipper John Terry could all be leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer.

The west London club are also extremely aware of the homegrown quota required in the Premier League and therefore are always more open to signing English players.

Yet Martinez will not want Stokes to leave and if the club can reach the Champions League places this term it’s unlikely the player will want to go either.

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