Former Everton striker Andy Gray has said that he expects John Stones to become a Chelsea player before the end of the transfer window.
The Toffees defender, who has been heavily linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge this summer, has reportedly handed in a transfer request amid the speculation over his future.
Gray has said that while he would like to see Stones remain at Goodison Park, he understands that the chance to link up with Jose Mourinho's Blues is hard to turn down.
"It's tough. As an Evertonian, I obviously don't want him to go, I'd rather he stayed at Everton for another couple of years," Gray told talkSPORT. "But it's really difficult for him. He's been very quiet, he's gone on and played, he's done the right thing and gone about it really well.
"But now with the transfer request, all that does is just tell everybody that he would like Everton to take the offer, if it's acceptable, and he would like to move on. Of course I would like him to stay, but I really do understand that the young lad has an opportunity to play for Chelsea.
"But I don't agree that he might spend the next two years on the bench, I don't think that will happen. I think he's good enough to force his way into that team sooner rather than later."
Stones has four years remaining on his current Everton deal.
Steven Toplis
