Everton manager Roberto Martinez has urged Chelsea's manager and his star players to refrain from talking about his defender John Stones, after he described recent comments from members of the Blues dressing room as "illegal".
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and his central defensive pairing of John Terry and Gary Cahill have gone on record to talk about Chelsea's desire to sign 21-year-old Stones, amid reports that Chelsea had a bid in excess of £20 million turned down by the Goodison Park club.
Now Martinez has suggested Chelsea staff may have broken rules that stop players and managers talking about rivals players involved in a transfer story, with the Everton boss clearly annoyed by the public declarations that came from senior members of the Premier League champions.
"You know that is illegal, the rules don't allow you to comment on players that are registered at other clubs in that open manner, that is disappointing," Martinez said.
"You know, I know. We all know there are rules and regulations and it is something we don't want to see when other clubs speak about your players. It is wrong and it shouldn't happen.
"As clubs we have a good understanding of where we are and I don't think it is something to get the managers involved in."
Martinez was boosted by the news that his midfielder James McCarthy had signed a new long-term contract at Everton on Thursday.
Martinez has again insisted there is no appetite to sell Stones in this transfer window.
"What you can control is your own finances at the football club and we are not a football club that has to sell to balance the books," he added.
"If you think we need to sell John Stones to balance the books, that is not the case. He is not for sale. We have said that many times. He is not for sale.
"I am not stupid enough to say I know what will happen or that I have a crystal ball, but I have always said John Stones is not for sale.
"We have had one or two bids for a player who, in my eyes, potentially can be the best centre-half England have produced, and we have not accepted it. There is no deal on the table so move on."