John Stones to play against Tottenham as Everton attempt to draw line under Chelsea saga

Everton defender John Stones will play against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday 27 August after the club rejected the defender's transfer request to join Chelsea. The Premier League champions have so far seen two bids for 21-year-old Stones dismissed by Everton, who remain adamant their prized asset will not be sold before closure of the summer transfer window.

This week the club have gone public in their efforts to end Chelsea's interest with Everton director Jon Woods telling a supporter during last Sunday's clash with Manchester City the defender would not be sold. That was followed up by a statement from Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright on Thursday, confirming the club had rejected Stones' written transfer request, insisting the player was not for sale.

West Brom find themselves in a similar dilemma as Everton, with Tottenham Hotspur attempting to prise Saido Berahino away from the club. The Baggies have opted to drop Berahino from their squad in their last two games due to ongoing speculation around his future, but Everton have opted to take the opposite approach and continue to play Stones.

"He [Stones] is in the perfect environment and at the right football club," Martinez told a press conference on Friday, the club's official website reports.

"The fans at one point thought they were going to lose one of their most loved assets. Emotions are going to be high - you are going to be full of feelings that are going to show.

"What's clear now is that the chairman was really strong and has put things really clear. John knows where he is and the fans are going to play an incredible role in settling in and getting his focus on winning football games for Everton.

"We are the perfect environment and the perfect place, as we have in the last two seasons for John. We need to be a winning team and be delighted that we have John with us.

"John will be an incredible part of that process and we are all excited. John is looking forward to the next game now."

Chelsea have already added Pedro Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao, Asmir Begovic, Baba Rahman and Kenedy to their first team, with youngsters Nathan and Danilo Pantic also joining the club this summer.