John Stones started for Everton against Barnsley in their Capital One Cup second-round tie ‒ the day after handing in a transfer request to leave the club.
The England defender took matters into his owns hands on Tuesday in an attempt to force through his dream move to Chelsea.
The
Barclays Premier League champions are expected to return with a fourth
bid of £35million after seeing their previous offers of £20m, £26m and
£30m rejected.
John Stones walks out with his Everton team-mates after being handed a place in the starting line-up
Stones applauds fans as he started for Everton against Barnsley in their Capital One Cup second-round tie
Stones wants to leave Everton with Chelsea trying to sign the England defender for about £35million
Everton
have maintained they will not sell the 21-year-old with manager Roberto
Martinez recently insisting not even a transfer request would sway him.
Asked
if such a move would force the issue, Martinez said: 'No. When you got a
long-term contract those things don't change at all.
'If someone comes in from nowhere and puts in a transfer request that is a different situation.
'In
a saga of I don't know how many weeks now, we are very clear. I speak
to John every day. As a footballer, unless two clubs reach an agreement,
you can't do anything.'
That
resilience will be put to the test after Stones made clear his desire
to leave, but starting the starlet against his former club Barnsley
suggests it is business as usual for Martinez.
John Stones started for Everton in their Capital One Cup tie against the defender's former club Barnsley
Stones took matters into his owns hands on Tuesday in an attempt to force through his move to Chelsea
Stones was handed a place in Everton's starting line-up by manager Roberto Martinez on Tuesday
Stones poses with a young Everton supporter but could leave the club during this transfer window
Martinez
tried to sign Stones during his time as Wigan Athletic manager, and
refused to be drawn on the subject when questioned during his pre-match
press conference on Tuesday.
'There is nothing to comment on that,' he said.
'Once
more, it is always the same question and always the same answer. The
only thing that matters now is the game we have in front of us.
'There
is nothing to announce or discuss. I know it is your job to keep asking
the same question and unfortunately it is my job in this case to always
give you the same answer.'
Chelsea
regard Stones as John Terry's long-term successor, with the club's
defensive performances so far this season only increasing Mourinho's
desire to sign him.
Asked
about the defender last Friday, Mourinho said: 'Let's see what
happens. I don't speak about players from other clubs when the
championship has started. People used to call it the transfer window. I
call it the opportunity window. While the window is open, there is
always an opportunity.'
Everton manager Martinez has maintained that he will not sell the 21-year-old to Chelsea
Phil Jagielka and Stones pictured warming up ahead of their second-round tie against Barnsley
Everton starting Stones against Barnsley shows how it is business as usual for manager Roberto Martinez
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