Everton boss opens up on Man Utd and Chelsea links as interest in star trio hots up

John Stones almost moved to Chelsea in the summer

ROBERTO MARTINEZ insists he is not concerned by interest in his top players.

 

The Everton manager worked tirelessly to fend off interest from Chelsea in John Stones this summer.

Stones even handed in a transfer request to try and force through move, and they could come back in for the England defender, 21, in January.

Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku, 23, has caught the eye of a number of top European clubs, with Manchester United understood to be one of them.

 

Ross Barkley, 21, remains one of England's most sought-after midfielders as well but Martinez thinks that just speaks volumes of his team.

"We worked really hard in the last six transfer windows to assemble a very strong squad with a real determination to bring in young players with world-class talent, and that's what we've done," he said.

"When you look at players like Gerard Deulofeu, Romelu Lukaku, John Stones, Ross Barkley, they are very young players.

 

"And they work to develop, to become important, to enjoy their football.

"And then we are going to benefit as a football club.

"So I have no worries about attracting attention, because that's what you want. 

"If you sign players and no one thinks they are doing well then you have a big, big problem."