John Stones can weigh in at Everton with Chelsea and Jose Mourinho watching

John Stones wanted to move to Stamford Bridge but Everton were against him leaving Goodison Park. Alex Livesey / Getty Images

One of the most interesting things about this summer’s transfer window was that many of the best deals were completed by the Premier League’s middle-ranking sides.

Kevin De Bruyne, Anthony Martial and Pedro all joined members of England’s elite for sizeable fees, but West Ham United’s capture of Dimitri Payet, Swansea City’s signing of Andre Ayew and Crystal Palace’s addition of Yohan Cabaye were the moves that most caught the eye.

The increased spending power of the league’s so-called lesser lights could have far-reaching consequences across the continent. It is telling that the above trio – as well as others such as Newcastle United’s Georginio Wijnaldum and Stoke City’s Xherdan Shaqiri – turned down the chance to play European football elsewhere to join Premier League sides who, at best, will finish the season in seventh or eighth place.

There is a concern that the riches garnered by English clubs from ever-burgeoning TV deals could lead to a competitive imbalance across Europe, with Premier League outfits able to hoard the best talent and other divisions restricted to feeding off their leftovers.

From a purely Premier League perspective, though, the picture looks a great deal more positive.

As well as having the financial muscle to attract overseas stars, mid-table sides are now better positioned to resist offers for their own players.

That phenomenon was in evidence throughout the summer as West Bromwich Albion repeatedly rejected Tottenham Hotspur’s bids for Saido Berahino and Everton knocked back Chelsea’s attempts to land John Stones.

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Excellent positionally, a fine reader of the game and composed with the ball at his feet, it is easy to see why the champions felt their squad would be improved by the presence of Stones.

Jose Mourinho’s men have conceded nine goals in the opening four games of the campaign, six fewer than in the entirety of the 2004/05 season when the Portuguese led them to their first league title in 50 years.

Chelsea’s defensive troubles have done nothing to suggest the 21-year-old centre-back would have found first-team opportunities hard to come by at Stamford Bridge.

By coincidence, Stones’ first game following the closure of the window is against Chelsea at Goodison Park today.

Such an occasion brings its own type of pressure beyond the usual strains associated with being a professional footballer, with any mistake – however minor or major – likely to be attributed to Stones’ mental state.

Even if the youngster performs well, the focus will still be on him and, by extension, whether Chelsea will reignite their efforts to sign him in January or at the end of the current campaign.

The transfer request Stones handed in towards the end of last month confirmed he wanted to move to Stamford Bridge.

Now that he has been denied the opportunity, Stones must knuckle down and concentrate on his football. A starting spot at Euro 2016 next summer is well within reach, and a successful domestic campaign for Everton will do him good in the long-term.

It is still debatable whether Stones would have been a regular starter in this Chelsea team, with Gary Cahill, Kurt Zouma and John Terry already vying for the two positions in the heart of the back line.

At Everton, Stones can be guaranteed a place in the XI whenever he is fit.

For a young player – particularly one who plays in the centre of defence, a position where many managers are only willing to field experienced professionals – that should not be taken for granted.

Stones’ move to the top will come in time. For now, the England international needs to focus on what got people talking about him in the first place.

Ahead of today’s trip to Merseyside to face Everton, Mourinho will be wary of Stones showing him and his side exactly what they are missing.

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