Pizy

True. As long as Levy is still running things they'll remain on the outside looking in. Only a matter of time before the big clubs come in and poach their best players like Lloris, Erikson, and Paulinho.

Bet he feels like a total mong for trying to say he'll be there next season. Van Gaal looks nailed on now, huh?Spuds may have a better manager next season than United.

I would, yes.

That's the worry, though. That he becomes the player he's cracked up to be and we look like mugs once again for selling a player who would massively improve us.Only way I'd reluctantly sell him permanently is if the fee is too crazy to turn down like £30m which isn't happening. Trouble with loaning him to Everton again is running the risk of him falling in love with the club and not wanting to come back when we finally feel he's needed. That he'll kick up a real fuss and resist returning.

After that display of affection for Martinez today I'd say it's only a matter of time before we see quotes in the papers or a video interview of him saying that he's the best manager he's ever played for and that he "loves" Everton. Never shy to say something inflammatory. He does have a point, though. He's always saying that he aspires to be Rooney or CR7 where they're starting from a really young age and constantly playing and scoring. He's not going to get that here with us buying a new main man. If he had come in and established himself when we initially bought him and beat out Torres then we wouldn't be having this conversation, but I just can't see how he's going to be able to live out his dream of being our number one if we buy someone. Like someone said last page, even if our new striker struggles or flops he's still going to play just like Torres did to try to get him going. The most frustrating thing is that unlike the Courtois situation where he's competing with a club legend, Lukaku knows he's better than the donkey's we have but still can't get the nod. Why would he want to come back next season and find it even more difficult to break into the side when he can be THE man at a very good Everton side? The best thing for US is to bring him back next season whether he likes it or not and have him competing for a place. The best thing for HIM is to spend another season at Everton on loan to develop more.

He played in a deeper role today against Arsenal and was running the show at times. He can definitely play there and has numerous times.He's only 20 remember, so there's plenty of time for him to hone his skills. It's been the Chelsea policy lately to buy players in his mold. Would make a lot of sense, but he's such an integral part of that Everton side that I can't see it happening.

He's not/would not be playing attacking midfield for us. He'd be a box to box like Ramires or playing the Lampard role.Would be an incredible summer if we got the two most promising English talents in Barkley and Shaw. Two English players out in Cole and Bertrand, two in in Barkley and Shaw. Barkley will almost certainly stay another year though. If you guys remember during the summer on the last day or so of the transfer window José said he tried hard to sign a young English player but it proved to be impossible at that time. I'm thinking that since the Lukaku loan move came out of nowhere and no one was expecting it that we tried to include Barkley in the deal coming the other way but it was too late in the window for Everton to find a replacement.

I'm still sticking to my belief that we're going to smack Liverpool at Anfield. We'll dominate them in midfield and Hazard will slay them.

How unbelievably lucky do Liverpool get week after week? I swear they get a pen per game. Gerrard has scored about 15 of them this season it seems.

I think José would use Barkley in the exact same way as he uses Ramires. Box to box, athletic CM who bombs forward when appropriate. Difference is that Barkley can actually pass and offers a goal threat.If Everton are serious about wanting to keep Lukaku I'd seriously let them have him if Barkley comes the other way. He'd be an insane asset to our side with his versatility.

I'd swap Ramires for him in a heartbeat. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the rumors of José wanting him are accurate. He's a Mourinho player. Pace, power, long shot. Everything. And falls in line perfectly with what we've been after; young and English.

Everton you beauties!

Arse getting fucking spanked here! Love it!

What a fucking goal!

Let's go Lukaku!

Man, I really hope Lukaku brings it today and smashes Arsenal. How awesome would it be to see Everton pip Arsenal to that 4th spot? It would not only cause Wenger to resign in all likelihood, but also make Moyes look so, so bad. Come on, Everton!

How long before Barca or Madrid start this "he has our DNA in him, he should join us" talk starts?

Someone tell me this was an April Fools thread bump?

True on Ramires.But Swansea have been absolutely terrible this season so I wouldn't mind playing a funky lineup there. Plenty of options off the bench if it doesn't work. If a 35 year old Lamps can play there then Oscar who already drops very deep at times anyways should be able to.

Could've scored 3 if his touch was just a bit softer in a few instances. Even if he doesn't start many matches going forward he can be one hell of a weapon to unleash on tired sides.

Come on, José, give us another treat next league match and play Oscar next to Matic in the pivot with Willian as #10 again and Hazard and Salah on the wings. I think it would be an extremely fun lineup to watch.

Lovely result, surgical performance. Can't help but say something negative despite the result, though. Torres was once more absolutely woeful. Even when we play at our best he looks completely hopeless. He's totally done here.

Utterly dominant performance but still blunt up front. Should've had 2 more. Matic is an absolute tank and bossed the midfield once more. Keep up the aggression and don't switch off and let Crouch have a free header or concede from a corner in the 89th minute.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE TORRES!? Tap in there!

We look good overall, very good in fact, but as usual just don't have the sharp end of the sword up top.