Roberto Martinez insists Chelsea's chasing of Everton's John Stones has helped him improve

JOHN STONES will head to Stamford Bridge with Roberto Martinez adamant Chelsea's forlorn pursuit of the Everton defender has made him a better player.

 

John Stones' solid form for Everton and England attracted Chelsea's interest back in the summer

 

Martinez believes Stones has become a "man" as a result of the fall-out from last summer's transfer saga when Everton chairman Bill Kenwright rejected a series of bids up to £37m and ripped up a transfer request from the centre-back.

While Chelsea have endured a traumatic season with the sacking of Jose Mourinho and an unfamiliar battle to claw themselves away from the lower reaches of the Premier League, Stones has cemented his status as one of Europe's biggest talents.

"It is 100 per cent that everything that went on in the summer helped him grow as a person and a player," said Everton manager Martinez.

"The human side of a footballer gets heavily tested in that period. You get a lot of influences, some influences were wrong from the outside, and they affect you.

 

"Psychologically John has become a man in a very short period of time and a footballer who knows how to cope with high-pressure situations and being able to perform on the pitch.

"What John has done is always be there to perform for Everton, always be there to help his team-mates and has always made himself available. That is what you want, but in modern football you don't always see that too often in young players."

Guus Hiddink is hoping some of his players can shows similar qualities as the Chelsea manager aims to make up for the failings of the past and give youth a chance.

"In principle I'm in favour to bring in young players. They must have a certain level," he said.

 

"If the circumstances allow that's what we will do. I'd prefer to do that in the winter period than bringing in certain names.

"If you have this academy, the facilities and the training programme one day it must produce. If not it is not worth having an academy.

"If the management and board are having this policy you are unanimously in favour to do so. You must give young British players and those from abroad a chance."