Roberto Martinez: 'John Stones didn't mean to hand in transfer request'

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that defender John Stones did not "mean" to hand in a transfer request amid interest from Chelsea.

The England international appeared to be trying to instigate a move to Chelsea last week after the Premier League champions had three bids rejected.

However, Martinez has now claimed that everything has been resolved and Stones did not intend to lodge a transfer request in the first place.

"I had windows where I had to leave players out completely and when the window closed get him back in the team and what that represents - winning his teammates over and the fans over," Sky Sports News quotes Martinez as saying.

"With John, it's very easy because he's a pristine professional. Obviously he's been put under massive, massive pressure. The transfer request was something he didn't mean to do."

Stones joined the Toffees from Barnsley in January 2013.