John Stones heads to London... with Everton ahead of clash at Tottenham after Toffees reject Chelsea advances

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John Stones is heading to London as the end of the transfer window draws near... but unfortunately for Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho it is with Everton ahead of Saturday clash with Tottenham.

The defender was pictured getting off the team coach at Runcorn train station with the rest of the Toffees squad on Friday, 24 hours after Everton rejected his transfer request amid interest and four bids from Premier League champions Chelsea.

Stones, who signed a five-year deal with the Merseyside club last summer and was the subject of three failed Chelsea bids, is in the squad for the trip to north London and is expected to start at White Hart Lane.

John Stones speaks on the phone as the Everton squad head to London for Saturday's clash with Tottenham

Everton rejected Stones' transfer request amid interest from Premier League champions Chelsea

Stones was told by manager Roberto Martinez in a meeting at Finch Farm on Thursday that his transfer request would not be accepted and Chelsea have now decided to walk away.

It is understood Stones has been left drained by the most difficult 48 hours of his professional career but Martinez will not have any hesitation selecting him for Saturday’s match and maintained he is at the 'best club' to build him back up.

'You can imagine that it has been a really emotional period for all those involved,' said Martinez at his Friday press conference. 'We need authorities to act.

'We can’t afford to leave players so exposed. You need to be able to think about career and future but you need to think about games and it is disrespectful to fans to have that.'

Stones applauds the Everton fans after their 5-3 Capital One Cup win over Barnsley on Wednesday night

Martinez will select Stones for Saturday’s match and maintained he is at the 'best club' to build him back up

Martinez does not think he has damaged his long-term relationship with Stones, even though he has denied him his wish to join the champions, and he is now concentrating on bringing in the players Everton need before the window closes. 

Meanwhile, Mourinho refused to be drawn on his link with Stones, declaring himself happy with the squad he has.

‘I don’t speak about players from other teams,’ Mourinho said. ‘I’m happy with my squad.

‘If I get another player before the end of the market, good. If i don’t get, we go with what we have.’ 

Mourinho refused to be drawn on his link with John Stones, declaring himself happy with the Chelsea squad