The transfer window should shut before the Premier League starts to avoid talented youngsters such as John Stones being forced into "difficult" situations if they attract the "relentless" attention of bigger clubs, Everton defender Leighton Baines has said.
The injured England left-back has echoed Everton manager Roberto Martinez in the wake of Chelsea’s pursuit of the 21-year-old and praised the young defender for handling the intense scrutiny and carrying on performing for the team despite handing in a transfer request.
“The manager’s touched on it a few times that the window shouldn’t be open and I think pretty much everyone in football would agree with that,” Baines told the club website.
“It’s just a source of entertainment for people on the outside now and it doesn’t help anybody in the game,” he added.
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright and Martinez stood firm in the face of Chelsea’s dogged pursuit of Stones, who has played every minute of Premier League football for his team so far.
“We’re just glad the club took the stance they did and we’ve been able to keep him,” said Baines, who is yet to feature for Everton this season after undergoing ankle surgery in August.
“It has been relentless, particularly for John. Seeing him first-hand on a daily basis, it’s been difficult for him to deal with. He’s still a young lad.
“John knows how to play football – he’s being doing it all his life – he hasn’t had to cope with situations like this before.”
“It’s John who has to pick himself up now, dust himself down and move forward,” the 30-year-old said.
“I think there’s a misconception sometimes – people think that when a footballer hands in a transfer request they do it and go off and play a game of golf or whatever.
“But it’s actually been such a tough thing and, as a young lad, you do lean on other people a bit more for advice at these times,” he added.
“I think the true reflection of John has been shown on the pitch – he’s conducted himself brilliantly in the dressing room and he’s performed well in all the games.”
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MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
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If you go
The flights
The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings
The stay
Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.
Final scores
18 under: Tyrrell Hatton (ENG)
- 14: Jason Scrivener (AUS)
-13: Rory McIlroy (NIR)
-12: Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP)
-11: David Lipsky (USA), Marc Warren (SCO)
-10: Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Chris Paisley (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG), Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR)
J%20Street%20Polling%20Results
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Company%20Profile
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hoopla%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jacqueline%20Perrottet%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2010%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20required%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV
Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 60kWh battery
Transmission: Single-speed Electronic Precision Shift
Power: 204hp
Torque: 360Nm
Range: 520km (claimed)
Overview
Cricket World Cup League Two: Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
MATCH INFO
Watford 2 (Sarr 50', Deeney 54' pen)
Manchester United 0
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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Quick%20facts
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