Jose Mourinho quiet on John Stones bids

Jose Mourinho refused to comment on Chelsea’s pursuit of John Stones after admitting the Premier League champions had practised their defending this week.

The Blues are understood to have had four bids rejected so far — although Everton refused to confirm the latest reported £37m (€50m) offer — and are unlikely to lodge a further bid before Tuesday’s 6pm deadline.

“I don’t speak about players from other teams,” said Mourinho, whose side play Crystal Palace today in his 100th Premier League home game at Stamford Bridge. “I have a good squad. I’m happy with the squad I have. If I get another player until the end of the market, good. If I don’t get, we go with what we have.”