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Skipper. I remember me and you were big advocates for him staying. But I remember at the time and can still look back and see when he left the amount of people who dissed him, stating he was too greedy, too big for his boots and other forms of criticsm etc.. there was plenty of digs at him. Now he has proved that we were going to regret it and some people now say that he is different because he is a complete striker. He is a complete striker because he showed what he can do once he plays regularly and now people appreciate his talent. I mean no one would have labelled Sturridge as a complete striker when he was here. He just needed a move to show what he can do. Now, yes I appreciate your comments on Lukaku's flaws but PL defences knew who they were coming up against last season after his first season with WBA. But he managed to get 15 goals and does that not tell you that he is no one hit wonder? He has got quality. Martinez rates him highly and was also able to tactically move Lukaku from his natural striking position to RW and Lukaku accustomed to that easily against Arsenal. So while he has some technical weakness he has some tactical strengths as well. He had a very good season at Everton. But where you think his ceiling is Everton, I disagree. If he continues to score goals that is what will be looked at. Like come on Skipper, when he reaches 25 and 26 his tranining and playing time will make him a much better striker. But yes I agree his technical qualities are not that good but in his favour he has got the power and pace and this is why I think he unstoppable at times and when he gets older I reckon he will be a beast. I think it is harsh to say he won't get better because he is only 21. The lack of depth at Everton was the only reason they did not get in the UCL last season and if they got there Lukaku would have been a huge reason why. Martinez did not describe him as "the complete striker" for the sake of it. Viper. Put your teeth into this please. If he scores for WBA and Everton and then the excuses are that it is "not for Chelsea" why would we loan him out in the first place then? We loaned him out with the apparent intention of integrating him back into the team. Yes there is a difference but until he plays a full season here we cannot judge that he won't be able to score more goals here. Yes, I was talking about talent from the youth and players bought over from a young age. Lukaku was bought at the age of 18 so that is why I put him into that category because he was on our books for a few years. But as with the likes of Ake and Christensen, me and you would love to see them integrated fully into the first team in a few years but just because they have been promoted to the first team squad it does not guarantee anything mate. Mceachran and Chalobah have been part of the first team squad before but have rarely played and unfortunately look like their long term future is elsewhere. I hope it is different with Ake and Christensen but as I was saying no guarantees. Despite his flaws, Lukaku has clear talent as well and I am deeply annoyed to see him ago so I apologise if I took things out of context there about the young ones but for me it is incredibly frustrating to lose him. This is why the news of signing Drogba never appealed to me. I don't reckon we will sign another striker. Costa is the main striker. Drogba is his 2nd and Torres third. I think when Mourinho said our transfer business was done he meant it. Yes Drogba was brought in but he was a free transfer. This is what you need to understand. He asked to leave on loan but he said he wanted to come back here and fight for his place. Can you at least acknowledge that? Believe me I have tried to understand some of your views but it is annoying when your view is completely blindsided. His intention was to leave here temporarily, yes temporarily and come back here and challenge for the strikers position. So when you say comments like "he asked to leave the club you support" you make it sound as he wanted to leave here permanently. He done what he thought was best for himself and us because he thought playing regularly at Everton would make him a better striker. Simply. Yes and before you say it I know he would have got starts here but at the time he panicked and asked for a move. You make it sound like he has done something similar to Schneiderlin where he has handed in a transfer request and made it clear he does not want to play there again. He did and that is the difference so when you make comments such as the one I mentioned it just exaggerates the actual truth what happened because his ultimate plan was to come here but you see different. Yeah and Ibrahimovic arrogant stance and him wanting to be the star player hindered his career right? One of the top strikers in the world so that logic does not add up.

So we loan players and how much exactly have been successfully integrated into the first team? .... So we sign Lukaku for £18m and because he asked for a loan move we have sold him. WOW. He asked for a loan move and Mourinho does not want him in his long term plans because of that You just have too much hatred towards him. Stating he will "never succeed". We will see what he accomplishes by the end of his career then? Facts are he asked for a loan which everyone knows but Mourinho let him out on loan then complained that our strikers were the problem. Like everyone pointed out and made us look like flipping idiots, our best striker was fucking loaned out and guess what no trophies. But logic is if you ask for a loan even if you have intentions of coming back here it means you should be sold. WOW, that is beyond crazy. When Rooney asked to leave United, I did not see him get booted out. You know why? Because he let his football do the talking but with us we can't give him that chance. We both have our different views on it. You think it is understandable. I don't think it is understandable to sell one of the best 21 year old strikers in Europe who has got into double figures for the last 2 seasons, is HG and instead by Drogba. I don't agree because I reckon he will get into double figures for probably every season and eventually take Europe by storm. You agree in selling one of the best young strikers just because he asked for a loan. Agree to disagree

He has scored over 30 goals in the last 2 seasons and he is only 21. Of course it will be worth the money. Costa was playing in the Segunda division at the age of 21 while Lukaku is playing in the Prem. He is going to get better and will prove over time that he is worth the fee. He managed to get 17 league goals at a much inferior team like WBA at the age of 19 and 15 league goals at Everton so if you look at the trend he most likely will keep on scoring and while he improves on his strengths he will work on his flaws. It is understandable why Everton would pay a lot for him. We bought him for £18m and sold him. Same thing that will probably happen to Kalas and Pasalic even if they have good loans because that is just what we seem to do. Like I was saying before, Costa at 21 was playing in the Segunda division in Spain and his goal return was not even that good considering he started over 30 games but with time he improved. People probably did not even rate Costa that much then. But the same way some people are stating that Sturridge isa complete striker because of his form now, I can guarantee some of them were saying when Sturridge was here that it was a good choice we sold him. He was selfish etc, too much mouth and one-dimensional but because he has proved to be one of the best strikers in Europe some people say it is uncomparable to Lukaku but hardly any strikers have shown what Lukaku has done at his age so when people say he is 'overrated', 'not that good', 'won't improve', I just think what a load of bullshit. He basically has gone out on loan and done what has been asked of him. He was not excellent out on loan but he was very good and performed but guess what we sell him. Logic?... But that's what we do. We will buy but never give the young talent a chance. We really don't do much to prove that this is not 'the graveyard for young talent'. It might sound bitter but I just speak the truth how I see it. If I was another team's fan such as United you can actually be happy for your loanees to do well but at us I don't get the point in celebrating when our loanees do well at other clubs when the likelihood is even if they do there best to impress out on loan, we will sell them.

So what is the point of the loan system if our excuse is because they performed at "mid-table teams?" I know Costa is better but was he anyway near the finished article at 21? Of course not and I reckon Lukaku will be as good if not better when he reaches Costa's age. Time will tell. It is funny how Martinez views him as the "complete striker" yet many people think he either one-dimensional or very limited. Before we use Lukaku as a Ba example of people scoring for mid-table teams but not being able to adapt to big teams, how about we give him a full season to prove that. Looks like he won't get that though. Lukaku's hold up play is not excellent but it is underrated. How pivotal was Lukaku when Everton beat United at OT? His hold up play and all round game was excellent. I like Remy but I would still have Lukaku over him. If the argument is that Lukaku can't perform against teams that defend deep how can we be so sure of Remy? Martinez on Lukaku said: "he has power, pace, really good hold-up play, and on top of that he has an understanding of where to run and play". A manager who I hold in high regard and who managed Lukaku excellently said this. So while I am not going to disagree with people and say you are chatting crap for saying his hold up play is not that good, I certainly feel you lot are going overboard because I think it is just inconsistent. The way Lukaku was put out on the RW against Arsenal and still put in an excellent display proves to me that with work with top coaches he can adapt to playing against 'ultra defensive' teams and improve his weaknesses. I see your angle, I do but let's not pretend that he is being pushed out the exit door. It pisses me of when people call him a coward. I agree he would have got more chances if he stayed last season but he saw a similar situation last season with the signing of Eto'o and his first season. He did not want a repeat. When he moved he said he wanted to come back and fight for his place. I personally reckon he would have been content to fight for his place with Costa but I also reckon it is 2 and 2. If he is looking for a move it is because he knows he is not part of Mourinho's plans which is obvious to me. If he was I am sure Mourinho would not have signed Drogba. This mentor thing was overhyped. Lukaku respects Drogba but he does not need tutoring from him and I don't think signing Drogba necassarily meant he would be persauded to stay, especially when we found out Mourinho's words on Drogba. But tbh with you, I would rather people reserve the name-calling and assumptions until we hear Mourinho and Lukaku speak officially because I am sure Lukaku ideally would love to be here but his dream is being crushed and is being forced to look elsewhere.

Torres is awful. The fact you are even questioning how he is inferior amazes me. Words don't even need to describe how Torres in inferior because he just is. Lukaku is simply better than Lukaku. Torres is not good at anything apart from being a pain in the arse. Even if Torres hold up play is better and I think people go OTT with Lukaku's hold up play anyway, that is the only thing he is on par or better than. Everything else, Lukaku is better. Ba's hold up play is better but Lukaku has got everything else on him and is improving. Lukaku has more pace, better for counter attacks and is simply a better striker. Ba has qualities but is not suited for a top team over a whole season. Lukaku needs to work on a few things but he is much better than Torres and Ba for a fact.

Because he saw that he couldnt get a start over an inferior Ba and Torres and then Eto'o arrives. I am sure there was some humour to that anyway but regardless he has not directly said he wants to leave because Costa is here. As I was saying, the most reliable source was that he wanted to fight for his place from Steve Holland. So it is unfair for people to put words in his mouth and say he wants out simply because Costa has arrived.

Mate, please can you give me a quote where he said he wants to leave because Costa has joined? I would really appreciate it if people stop basing their opinions on assumptions and actually hearing Lukaku's words. The last I heard, our own assistant manager said he wants to come back and fight for his place. I think it is becoming clear that Mourinho does not want him. He bought Costa as our no.1 striker which we all wanted but then he signs a 36 year old Drogba who in his words is still "one of the best strikers in Europe." Then there is Torres who despite how shit he has been at this club and who Mourinho to my shock started over Lukaku for 2 games last season despite Lukaku being the most in form striker. He obviously had Costa and Drogba as his no.1 and no.2 then presumably Torres as his 3rd choice. We play with 1 upfront. Lukaku is being pushed towards the exit door. Simple to me. Also once again why do people judge him as a finished article? He is clearly not. If you get 17 goals in the league at the age of 19 and 15 at the age of 21 and you don't see serious potential there something is wrong and very oblivious. He is heading for the top but some people are letting their personal hatred for him get in the way of their actual rating for him. If you went back in time when Costa was 21, you probably would have laughed your head off if you said in 5 years he would be a La Liga winner and scored over 30 goals. You know why because at the age of 20/21 guess where Costa was? In the second tier of Spain playing for Albacate. He started 34 games and scored 10 in the what? Second division. Following season in La Liga with Valladolid he scored 8 in 32 appearances. Now look at him now. Moral of the story: don't judge young players as the finished article because even Lukaku has things to work on, he is showing signs that he can turn out to be an excellent striker as not only did Lukaku have more goals at his age but also in the PL.

So because Real, Barca, PSG, Liverpool, United or Arsenal did not bid for him, that means something? How many teams bid for Pogba when he was out of contract? Not much and considering he was out of contract it begs the question more. That is irrelevant because after a few years leaving United he has proved himself that he is one of the best CM in the world. You could also ask the same about Costa. Did Barca, Real, Liverpool, Arsenal bid for him? They did not so that makes your point invalid. Also Drogba did not set the word alight at Galatasaraay. He was decent. I would rather a 21 year old HG player than a 36 year old for sure. I think people forget that Lukaku is only 4 months older than Bamford. Virtually the same age. He has got potential but I think some are overrating him. Let's see how he performs in the Prem before saying he can be better than Lukaku. Solanke is 16 and a long way of making an impact on the first team so I won't comment on him for now. We had many "potential to be" and "could of been" that have gone on to pastures new.

Wrong. He did play for us. In his first season he was kept in the reserves but made the odd prem appeance and few cup games and started 1 game at the end of that season. He made sub apperances this season. Also by miss I mean regret like same way United miss/regret Pogba. A player they had in their own hands but ultimately left and has become one of the best CM in the world. They regret losing him. Think it could be the same with Lukaku. I think we will and without having a dig at the club I hope we do regret it as I want him to achieve at his next club and show what he is capable of.

But tbh the general consensus this point last season was that Lukaku would lead the line against Hull. Even the likes of Cundy and fellow CFC tv pundits thought the same too because he was the most in form striker albeit at WBA but the other strikers had not exactly set the world alight. I was surprised to not see him start against Hull but because it was the first game I took it with a pinch of salt. When we had Villa I thought he would definitely start but Ba did and the next 2 games while he was given chances he did not start. Then Eto'o comes. I am not arguing with you that he was not given a chance last season as I believe he would have been given more due to the inconsistencies of the other strikers but due to not starting one of 4 games before Eto'o came in, surely Mourinho and fans can forgive him for that. He had such a dissapointing first season under AVB so it is understandable that he panicked and did not want to waste another season. I really empathise with him. But what I appreciate Lukaku for is for 1) owning up that he asked for the move but 2) saying he wants to come back here and fight for his place. So now I want him to be given a proper chance here by Mourinho keeping him here for a season because we know what he is capable of. I would feel so much better if we have a game where Costa might look out of place a bit and you got a guy like Lukaku coming on to wreak havoc. I can't bare to see Torres again and while I hope Drogba has still got it in him, I just feel it is better for the long term to have Lukaku and sets out a good example for other loanees.

Well yes he was given chances but imo he should have started at least one of those first 4 games. Especially considering the two other strikers we had at the time and none of them actually scored. But by a proper chance I mean letting him come back this season and shwoing that if you impress out on loan you have a chance of making it here. So when the likes of Chalobah, Kalas go on loan what sort of optimism will they have when they see what happened with the likes of Lukaku?

The thing that annoys me is that despite his flaws and communication with the media he is a top young forward and a HG player. I don't think he is a Balotelli type of player where you cannot work with his off the field problems. We could of worked on that. But it just disappoints me that sign him for around £18m. He goes on loan for 2 seasons running while our strikers have not set the world alight and then we sell him. I just find it ridiculous and does not set an example for younger players of breaking through. It basically shows 'I have talent but I will never make it at Chelsea because they will buy someone else as usual'. It is bloody frustrating. I know he did not come through our academy but we bought him at 18 with the sign of being our no.1 forward in the future. He has proved himself in the PL but what do we do sell him? If he comes back here we could easily manage to stop him communicating to the media. It is not that hard. It is really fickle for fans to believe his potential is limited. I doubt Costa was even scoring that much goals at 21. When Lukaku reaches Costa's age I won't be surprised to see him at a top club. Sturridge gone, we regretted and now Lukaku has gone... time will tell. Regardless of whether Costa does the business, we had a top young, HG talent who could have been a huge bonus for us for the upcoming seasons but like I said the arrival of a 36 year old Drogba pushes Lukaku to the exit door. Just don't get the reasoning behind this.

Skysources say he is moving closer to a permanent move to Everton. We won't realise how much we miss something till it's gone. Got a feeling this will be the same with Lukaku in a few years. I wish him good luck with his new chapter. Like so many names, one who was never given a proper chance despite a big investment. Real shame!

As known he is not a gung-ho type of manager but the level that people criticise him for his football is OTT. Sometimes we have looked very dull but we have not had the players. This season are team looks more complete. Natural full backs. Excellent playmaker. Also when we went to City, we outplayed them. You can't call that defensive football. When we went and beat City at the Etihad, a lot of our fans and neutrals would hav expected to see more defensive football but we really set the tempo and played excellent stuff. I was impressed. We didn't beat Arsenal 6-0 for nothing as well. Before the red card excuse is used by Arsenal fans we were 3-0 up when it was 11 against 11. Gibbs was sent of when it was 2-0 but if he was kept on it would have been 3-0 as Hazard scored the resulting pen so that is my reasoning behind why I said we were 3-0 up when it was 11 against 11. Like I said I am not going to lie and say he plays very attractive football but what he does when he has the right players for his sytem, you see an effective counter attacking play which is a joy to watch. Arsenal game last season was a prime example.

That is the problem. I am very doubtful Mourinho thinks he is ready. He has not given any signs he wants him back. We both agree that we want him back but the problem is I am not sure, contrary to what you say if he wants Lukaku around which will be a shame for me. TBH, I wouldn't class him MOTM after his E.T performance. He was a game changer but if you were to give a Belgiam the MOTM that game it would be KDB imo. Played the whole game. Scored and assisted. Lukaku was excellent when he came on though and could of scored a hattrick. But the MOTM that game for me and I assume most people was Tim Howard. Regarding Bamford, it is ludicrous to say he is better than Lukaku. I don't even think people should be going there.

Don't take this offensively but please do your research because that is rubbish.

He is a better ball playing defender, that is it. Zouma is better at almost everything else. You can't really come to conclusions like that when Zouma has been playing for a decent team in France top tier for around 3 seasons and Chalobah has played CB rarely. Mainly in friendlies. Out on loan he has figured in midfield.

He looks good but right now Lukaku is a better striker. Bamford has performed on loan in L1 and the Championship. Lukaku has got into double figures in the prem for 2 seasons running. You see the difference? The PL is much more competitive than the Championship. You can't also base much on friendlies because even last season Lukaku was our top scorer in friendlies iirc. I like Bamford but let's not jump to conclusions yet because he is not in the same league as Lukaku currently and has not been tested in the PL which is much more difficult.

Has a lot more pace than I thought. Made some excellent runs. Think he can grow in the LB position.

I beg you pardon? He has got a brilliant turn of pace. As shown with his goal and his goals at Atletico aswell.

I do think it is ridiculous and shows some arrogance if Mourinho does not want him in his plans this season because he asked for a loan move last season. I respect Mourinho a lot and I think is one of the top managers in the world but I will criticise the 'special one' when I feel it is deserved. Lukaku did not sulk out of the club. He thought it would be beneficial to himself and the club. As I said I am sure him and Mourinho left it on good terms as Lukaku said his plan was to come back and fight for his place. So if it is on the basis that Mourinho does not want Lukaku because he asked for a loan move last season, I stand by my comments.

I accept he asked for a loan but if Mourinho is not wanting Lukaku back because he was not willing to fight for his place, which you and several other members are indicating I reckon that is a ridiculous and arrogant stance for Mourinho to take. I was disappointed like anyone else when he left out on loan because I knew he could have helped us. He asked for a loan but if it was best for the club Mourinho should have let him stay. Also he impressed out on loan and should have caught Mourinho'e eye. When you perform you deserve praise or should be made to feel welcome. I don't see how you differ. 20 year olds are men, yes but come on in the football world he is young and has a lot to learn. But while he asked for a loan, Lukaku made it known that he wants to come back after his loan a better player and fighting for the striker's position. His exact words were: " I could have stayed and fought, but it was not about the competition. When you are a 20-year-old you need minutes. I lost my place in the national team because I did not play for a year with Chelsea. I want that position back. I want to be in a top team and play. You only get better if you play so the best thing was to leave." So yes he asked for a loan but at least you have a young player who is ambitious and willing to fight for his place. I am sure they left it on good terms when he left. Jose got irritated by his constant communications with the media. While he could have fought for his place, he feels he is benefiting himself and Chelsea by going out on loan. It was not as cowardly as some think. Hindsight he would have got a lot of chances but it is not as if he wasted a season. Mourinho would know from that meeting and Lukaku's words that there is a player wanting to come back and fight. That is fine enough for me. He praised Mourinho and said he wants to come back. I appreciate that and hold no form of grudge. He is our player now and he feared of wasting a year again. Year gone, he scored goals, we bring him back into our plans. It is that simple. I can't see why Mourinho would hold any grudge against him. As I said I don't think it is for non-football reasons solely why he does not want him here because Lukaku has the intention to fight for his place this season. Football should be based on a players performance and not on what he said or asked for. He did not say anything that was criminal ffs. His attitude could have been more work-ethic to fight for his place but at least he showed and said he wants to come back and fight for his place. Fine by me. People need to get over themselves just because he asked for a loan. He said he wanted to come back here and return a better player. That shows an attitude of someone willing to achieve and get better and better.

No but he could come out and say he wants Lukaku to be part of his first team squad and he is big part of his plans. That does not mean he will guarantee him starts but if he gives him a vote of confidence Lukaku would surely get a real boost and definitely be assured about staying. Have you heard Mourinho in the last few months compliment Lukaku about scoring goals at Everton or give a slightest indication he wants him back? If Mourinho is not doing that it indicates to me that Mourinho is not sure of him. He is a young kid who has proved himself out on loan again and while I am not stating he should be a starter, it should be enough for Mourinho to say he wants him back competing with Lukaku for the striker's position but no word whatsoever. Sometimes the biggest boost for a player is receiving praise from their manager. As for asking for a move last season.... yeah he could have fought for his place but so bloody what. He wanted a loan because he thought it would be best for him. Yes he could have stayed and would of most definitely get more chances but he probably just looked on the pessimistic side and saw that if he could not start the first 4 games when Eto'o was not even a registered Chelsea player and we had only Torres and Ba plus playing Schurrle upfront, what hope does he have when another striker (Eto'o) arrives. Not much. We move on. If there is some grudge being held against him for that it is ridiculous. Move on. Rooney asked to leave twice. Yes he is proven but who gives a fuck, he scored goals and that pleases the fans and all is forgotten once they provide for the team. Lukaku was a 20 year old kid when he asked for the move so I would not even compare Ash, Drogba and Lamps because at a similar age when they just want to play football and live up to their potential they could have possibly done the same. I wouldn't even compare the two situations. As to the respone to the bolded part, I am not talking about last season, I am talking about this upcoming season. Holland said that he wants to come back and fight for his place. But you have not heard anything from Mourinho saying he wants him back. Maybe he has thought that he is willing to give a prolonged period to wait for his chance. Everyone does things they regret. He does not regret the loan move. He has come back with the ability to prove he can score goals and that is the evidence why he says he wants to fight for his place. Also for the people cursing him, saying "fuck him" etc, just.....

That is the problem. There is no stability or patience. If that is our attitude the youth players could interpret it the same way. They might perceive that they will never get a chance because of that very reason. We will always buy without giving the young talent a chance. He more than most of the young ones at the Bridge should stay. Also funny how majority of people are still calling him a coward. Have you heard him say he wants to leave? I have not. Like I said and will say again, it was indicated that he wants to stay and fight for his place. He is not forcing a move. Some people just don't want to accept the possibility that Mourinho does not want him here. I don't think Mourinho wants 4 strikers next season when we will be starting with 1 for majority of the season. Buying Drogba means he obviously is forcing one of Torres or Lukaku out. It is that simple. Lukaku is the one with the most value and he has scored goals and is still only 21 so common sense would be he stays here but who knows. But with Torres unlikely to move it is likely that Lukaku will go. As for the people who say Drogba's arrival has nothing do with Lukaku's potential departure. Of course it does. Yes he may look up to him but Lukaku is not a kid. He can get guidance but he is not going to need that for a whole season when he has been scoring goals in the PL for fun for the last 2 seasons. It is ridiculous to think that Drogba will mentor him for a whole season. Like Mourinho said, Drogba has been brought in to add quality. Lukaku imo is being forced out. He realistically could be 4th choice striker here. Until people hear Lukaku say he wants to leave, this coward nonsense needs to stop because right now I think he is being forced out because we have too many strikers.

Who said Lukaku is not willing to fight for his place? That is rubbish imo. It is good having Costa but it is also ideal having impact players like Lukaku who can also start cup games and start some league games. I would rather that than have Drogba in his place. I appreicate everything Didier has done here but he is not the future and Lukaku is. That is why i would prefer Lukaku here. As I said I reckon Mourinho just is not ready to give Lukaku a proper chance. Lukaku wants to stay but it looks like he won't be guaranteed 2nd choice striker let alone first. If we sell him that is proof that Mourinho was not ready to give him a proper chance. Especially when it was said he wants to fight for his place but Mourinho goes and buys a 36 year old Drogba. And imo that is either forcing one of Torres or Lukaku out. If Torres stays and Lukaku stays that says it all. Needs no explanation. Costa and Lukaku would be perfect for next season. I'm just not sure Mourinho views it the same way.