Romelu Lukaku says John Stones should stay at Everton

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku believes John Stones would be better served staying with the Toffees, rather than joining his former club Chelsea.

Lukaku, 22, left Stamford Bridge permanently last summer after finding regular football hard to come by at Chelsea.

The Belgian, who also had loan spells at West Brom and Goodison Park, feels Stones is at the right club to nurture his development.

"To be fair, John is in a good situation at a good club which believes in him," Lukaku told several national newspapers.

"He is playing and is learning a lot from Phil Jagielka. He's been here two years now but this is the year where he really needs to confirm he is the top player he can be.

"This club has massive potential, with the players we have and the ambition the manager has. He is in a good place. He's on to a good thing."

Stones has been the subject of interest from Chelsea throughout the summer, despite Everton rejecting three big-money bids and repeatedly saying the defender is not for sale.

Despite the saga, Stones has played both of Everton's games so far, putting in a particularly impressive display as the Merseysiders stunned Southampton 3-0 at St Mary's last week.

He (Stones) has been here two years now but this is the year where he really needs to confirm he is the top player.

It was reported on Friday that Stones is close to putting in a transfer request, but Everton manager Roberto Martinez said he was not aware of that and it would not change the Toffees' stance if he did.

Lukaku, who backs himself to go on to be better than Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa, feels the Toffees have collected a strong core of young talent that can only get better if they stick together.

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"We are young, but we have a lot of potential," he added. "We had a great first year when I came here. Last year we had a very hard year, a very, very tough year.

"But we'll learn from it. He's (Stones) in a good situation. He needs to keep on doing what he's doing. He has the Euros coming up, so why go?"