Peter Reid has paid tribute to Everton defender John Stones for the way in which he has remained professional despite intense speculation linking him with Chelsea.
The Toffees appear to have won the battle to keep the 21-year-old on Merseyside until January at least after rejecting his transfer request last week, before Tuesday's deadline passed without a fifth bid from the Premier League champions.
Stones starred as Everton earned a 0-0 draw away at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, and Reid, who spent seven years at Goodison Park, admits that he is pleasantly surprised by the youngster's professionalism.
"I've got to pay credit to the boy as well because he put in a transfer request, it was turned down, he's gone out on the park and he's done his job," Reid is quoted as saying by Goal.com.
"He's a young man, his head could've got turned, but no, I think he's done absolutely outstanding. Delighted that he's still at Everton and it speaks volumes for the boy."
The Blues, who are said to have had a bid of around £40m knocked back, instead signed defenders Michael Hector and Papy Djilobodji on deadline day.
Stones is contracted to Everton until 2019.
Shane Callaghan
