Chelsea Transfer News: John Stones 'Lucky to Escape' Blues Move, Latest Rumours

Everton centre-back John Stones is fortunate the Toffees blocked his summer move to defending Premier League champions Chelsea, according to former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp.

The Blues failed in their attempts to sign Stones during the most recent transfer window, despite lodging a bid of £38 million, per MailOnline's Charlie Skillen and Elliott Bretland.

Chelsea have since endured a rotten start to the season—they currently sit 16th in the English top flight after 12 games—with centre-backs John Terry, Kurt Zouma and Gary Cahill all under-performing.

The addition of Stones could have been a huge help to the Blues' back line, but Daily Mail columnist Redknapp believes the 21-year-old Englishman dodged a bullet by staying at Goodison Park:

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How lucky is John Stones to have avoided the madness at Chelsea?

Everton rejected a £38million bid for the defender in the summer but after all that has happened since, moving to Stamford Bridge would have stunted his development. He's much better playing week in, week out at Everton and it clearly showed as he glided around the pitch at West Ham.

His ability is phenomenal and he will only get better. After the experience of having another year in the team there is no reason why Stones can't go and play for a team like Barcelona or Real Madrid. He won't be at Goodison Park forever, but for now Everton is the best place for him.

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Jose Mourinho's Chelsea have undoubtedly had a torrid time of things in defence this season and need to add fresh blood to their back line in the new year.

They have conceded 23 times with just under a third of the season gone having let in only 32 goals in all of 2014-15 as they won the title.

Chelsea have lost seven matches in the league and Mourinho's position as manager is now under threat, with Bleacher Report's Dean Jones analysing the candidates who could potentially take over from the Portuguese coach: 

Stones is likely still a key target for Chelsea as he has continued to prove his potential at Everton this season.

However, Toffees boss Roberto Martinez still has no intention of selling the England international in the winter window, per the Telegraph's Gerry Cox. 

Thus whoever is in charge at Stamford Bridge come the opening of the January transfer window will have to look elsewhere to bolster the Blues' defence.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Chelsea are also reportedly eager to get their star player this season, Willian, signed on to a new contract.

According to the Sun's Mike McGrath, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have been eying the Brazilian after a string of impressive performances, but Chelsea are looking to ward off other clubs by offering him a lucrative new deal.

The 27-year-old has been one of the few Chelsea players to have performed consistently well this season, and while the addition of new players is key going forward, the retention of the Blues' key stars should also be a priority given their struggles at the moment.