Everton have so far been able to resist any advances from Chelsea

Everton have so far been able to resist any advances from Chelsea for the defender John Stones, but the Merseyside outfit are aware that it will be very difficult to keep the player amidst interest from the reigning Premier league champions.

If they are to keep him at Goodison Park, then they would need all the help possible and it has come in the form of Gareth Barry. The former Aston Villa midfielder claims that Stones has the best possible of developing into a great player at Everton rather than at Chelsea where he is likely to be on the bench more often than not.

However, Stones will consider himself as a straight first-team regular at Chelsea – if he does join the West London outfit – since the offer from the blues has already gone beyond £ 30 million. Everton manager Roberto Martinez has repeatedly stated that Stones is not for sale. The club’s situation is made strong by the fact that the players still has four years left on his contract. At just 21 years of age, Everton believe that Stones can become one of the greatest England defenders in recent memory. The club signed him from Barnsley only for under £ 5 million and already stand to receive a healthy profit.

"When I spoke to the manager before signing, he mentioned John and said 'there's a good talent here' that he feels is going to reach a really good level.Straight away, I picked that up in training with John. Nothing fazed him - his ability on the ball, his calmness, was there to see for someone so young. For me, he was naturally going to improve with experience.The level he's at now, with more games and learning to play with people like Jags [Phil Jagielka], he can reach another level which is frightening really,” said Barry.