Pienaar, who is out of contract at the end of the season, looks set to leave during the current transfer window after the Merseysiders accepted an offer from Chelsea.
The South Africa international has been one of Everton's driving forces over the past two seasons and Distin does not want him to go, particularly at a time when manager David Moyes would like to recruit.
Distin said: "It's disappointing to lose Steven. You don't want to lose one of your best players but that's football.
"Everywhere I've been it's been the same, there's not much we can do - just stay focused and carry on doing what we're doing. I don't think it's a done deal yet, but it's disappointing."
Source: PA
Source: PA