LONDON • Roberto Martinez has accused John Terry of illegally tapping up John Stones as Chelsea's public pursuit of the defender continues to rile Everton, leaving relations between the clubs strained.
Having had two offers for Stones rejected this summer, Chelsea are expected to make a third, even though Everton maintain that the England defender is not for sale.
It is the willingness to make their interest public, though, that has most incensed Martinez, particularly after Terry joined Jose Mourinho and Gary Cahill in declaring his admiration for Stones.
In a TV interview broadcast on Wednesday, Terry welcomed the possibility of Stones becoming his long-term successor, delivering a statement that Martinez believes breached the etiquette that exists between Premier League clubs and possibly Football Association rules.
"One day I won't be in the team, but Chelsea are looking to the likes of John for the future, so the club will continue to grow and do well," Terry said.
Although Everton have no intention of reporting the Chelsea captain to the FA, Martinez could not hide his anger at Terry's comments and called on the west London club on Thursday to respect the rules that are in place.
"It is wrong - you know that is illegal, the rules do not allow you to comment on players that are registered at other clubs in that open manner, and that is disappointing," the Everton manager said.
"We have had a fantastic relationship between the two clubs. We made our biggest investment in Chelsea (signing Romelu Lukaku, for a club-record fee of £28 million or S$59.9 million), but there are rules and regulations. It is wrong and it shouldn't happen."
Despite being adamant that Stones is not for sale, Martinez was unwilling to say whether the 21-year-old has asked to be given the chance to speak to Chelsea should they make an offer that meets Everton's valuation.
Instead, the Spaniard insisted that such a scenario remains hypothetical until Chelsea have a bid accepted, stressing that Everton are under no financial pressure to sell.
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