Romelu Lukaku

[didierforever 7,349]

He scored a good goal, but apart from that he was very ineffective and barely influenced the game, lost the ball 4 times (4 times more than anyone else on the team) in crucial moments and was indecisive and barely threatened City. Sure, he won a few aerial duels against Demichellis, had a few decent passes but he's had far better games than that. If that's the standard you'll hold him up to for having a brilliant game then.

A goal glossed over a poor/average performance.

dont know what match you watched dude. he looked anything but indecisive.

he lost the ball 4 times and u are telling me naismith dint lose the ball once? infact i am not even sure what u wrote there. i remember everton players losing the ball in a very very poor position. naismith was HORRENDOUS. he was the one who lost the ball on almost every 3rd touch. even in the "english football thread" that was being said. are u sure u dint confude lukaku and naismith yesterday. cos that the only way i can accept what u have just said.

one thing i do agree is he barely influenced the game. but it was not his fault. even if u see where the ball was when the ref blew his whistle u will know what i am talking about. those guys were simply and stupidly passing the ball among themselves, specially baines, naismith rather than putting the ball forward. after he scored the goal, he barely got any service whatsoever. and before that, i think he was pretty good.

[The Skipper 20,593]

dont know what match you watched dude. he looked anything but indecisive.

he lost the ball 4 times and u are telling me naismith dint lose the ball once? infact i am not even sure what u wrote there. i remember everton players losing the ball in a very very poor position. naismith was HORRENDOUS. he was the one who lost the ball on almost every 3rd touch. even in the "english football thread" that was being said. are u sure u dint confude lukaku and naismith yesterday. cos that the only way i can accept what u have just said.

one thing i do agree is he barely influenced the game. but it was not his fault. even if u see where the ball was when the ref blew his whistle u will know what i am talking about. those guys were simply and stupidly passing the ball among themselves, specially baines, naismith rather than putting the ball forward. after he scored the goal, he barely got any service whatsoever. and before that, i think he was pretty good.

So because Naismith was horrendous Lukaku was good? Come on man. We aren't discussing Naismith here, I couldn't care less about him.

I still maintain Lukaku's goal glossed over a poor/average performance. If you take away his goal will you honestly tell me he had a good game?

[zolayes 14,489]

dont know what match you watched dude. he looked anything but indecisive.

he lost the ball 4 times and u are telling me naismith dint lose the ball once? infact i am not even sure what u wrote there. i remember everton players losing the ball in a very very poor position. naismith was HORRENDOUS. he was the one who lost the ball on almost every 3rd touch. even in the "english football thread" that was being said. are u sure u dint confude lukaku and naismith yesterday. cos that the only way i can accept what u have just said.

one thing i do agree is he barely influenced the game. but it was not his fault. even if u see where the ball was when the ref blew his whistle u will know what i am talking about. those guys were simply and stupidly passing the ball among themselves, specially baines, naismith rather than putting the ball forward. after he scored the goal, he barely got any service whatsoever. and before that, i think he was pretty good.

you seemed to have seen the same match that I watched ,,, pity I missed the game others saw

[didierforever 7,349]

So because Naismith was horrendous Lukaku was good? Come on man. We aren't discussing Naismith here, I couldn't care less about him.

I still maintain Lukaku's goal glossed over a poor/average performance. If you take away his goal will you honestly tell me he had a good game?

yes he had a decent performance. i have already said in my first post, why i think so. tell me how many decent chances did everton make? the one where naismith was unable to score 1v1 with joe hart, lukaku's run to pull of a defender wide was good. his goal was good. except for that he dint get any service whatsoever.

we are not discussing naismith but a striker cant do much when the player behing him loses the ball every second touch. lukaku did his job yesterday. took on players, brought players into the game, movement was good. i dont know how u r saying it was a poor performance?

[didierforever 7,349]

you seemed to have seen the same match that I watched ,,, pity I missed the game others saw

THANK U.

i dont know what people's expectations were. did they think lukaku would dribble past the whole city defence,,, messi-esque?

[Styles 9,790]

Good finish yesterday but he was awful in general.

Only watched the second half but thought the same too. His poor technique is just so off-putting.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Some Evertonian opinions on Lukaku's season, pretty interesting:

His touch is extremely erratic. Sometimes it looks fine (not top class or anything, but of a good level) and other times he looks like a donkey. As I said weeks ago though, I'm putting it down to him being very raw. If he can polish his game he can become a really top striker. But it's a big job.

Let's not forget the guy is still only twenty. He has a lot of developing to do, mentally and technically if not physically.

Maybe short sighted is a little strong.... It just seems that people dont want to spend money and take a chance on a youngster with massive potential. I understand the nerves about it, but personally I think he will be an incredible striker in a few years time. He just needs time to learn and improve on his weaker areas. I agree with your write up, Shukes, for the most part except heading. Hes not been given the service to really show what he can or cannot do on a regular basis

I completely disagree that you cannot improve your touch over time. Already we've seen this season how our passing rate has improved, and in order to improve your passing you need to have a good touch to either control the ball or move it on in the right direction.

Suarez - 27

Aguero - 25

Smith - 31

I bet they all came into their elements around 23 years old after honing their skills...

Like I said, I understand the caution behind splashing the cash on him, I just get irritated that some write him off because of a few flaws that can be, and will be, improved upon. Like I said a few pages back, 13-15m plus addons up to 18-20m would be good business in my eyes, and for Chelsea since they already got 3-5m for the loan.

Great debate guys, ive agreed with all the points. For me I think Chelsea or Jose want rid of him as they don't think he is top quality. I think they are spot on. Lets face it with Lukaku's record he will command £20 million easily. Athletico will want a striker as part ex of the costa deal and maybe they will take Torres and Lukaku in exchange? I believe for Lukaku's career development he would do worse than going abroad maybe to a Juve and honing his game in a not as physical league and coming back to the Prem when he is 26 or so. I appreciate he is young and I have said it myself on here that he needs time to develop but for the money they want for him he lacks the fundamentals for what I think we need upfront.

I dont think its shortsighted Matt. i think people are just discussing opinions. None of us know if he will turn out to be the real deal or not, we can only guess using what we can see at the moment.

I do think it is fair to say that he should have a better first touch at his age. This is something that a lot of players are born with while a few others suprise and bloom later.

I also read a comment from somone saying he chases down goal kicks etc. Yes he does but all he does is offer a token jog. he doesnt look like hes trying to make the keeper make a decision, just that he knows if he doesnt he get a bollicking from his boss.

Size...does he use it to his advantage? on occasion yes, but not nearly enough. Look at Matt Smith for Leeds. the guy is not a good footballer but uses his size to bully his way into a championship player position. Lukaku just doesnt use his strength. This i agree his something that you need time to develop.

Shooting.. well i dont think we can critisize him here. this is one of his better attributes.

Heading... pretty weak in this area for a big guy. again he will learn that being big means nothing when others jump. Big guy syndrome is common with footballers. at 5.8 i am by far the best ariel threat in our team.... ahem veteran team now.

Dribbling... mixed here. sometimes he looks like he can just push past players, sometimes he looks like he is going to stand on the ball and fall over. but generally this is another strength.

Intellegence... needs to watch Naismith more. this one is 100% his age and cant be judged fairly yet.

i dont think anyone questions if he is a good player or not, just is he worth the money it would cost us to bring him in and can we afford to progress a promising forward now or do we need a player that is already there.

My opinion on him would change dramatically if i saw the effort on the pitch. this is what makes players worth the time for me. I criticize Barkley for the same reason. Barkley and Lukaku need to pull thier feet back firmly to the ground and realise they are not there yet and that hard work and graft will go along way to helping them fulfill thier potential.

you both have very valid points for and against,the annoying thing about lukaku is when he's bad it's frustrating because you know he's got it in him to be very good.

The thing I don't understand is his fitness levels.

The thing is for all his faults he's still the best striker we've had in years.

It isn't a Yak vs Lukaku debate - but in all honesty I would take a fully fit Yak that Moyes bought over Lukaku - absolutely no question.

I would go for Bony over Lukaku any day.

We talk about young potential but we have all forgotten the Owens and Rooneys. these guys were raw at 16... by 19 or 20m they were established players. Maybe not at thier peaks but they were first choice players.

Lukaku is not a first choice player... hes been loaned out.

Can i see him getting better? yes of course i can, but i cant see him becoming a Drogba. Drogba had footballing ability at 16 and got better. Lukaku has relied on his size and is not going to get any better. at his age he should have a better first touch, better ability on the ball and should be able to tie his own shoe laces.

Bony is all round a better footballer.

People are arguing the same about Jerry now and i have to agree with them. were not talking about a 17 year old breaking into proffesional football, were talking about a player that has had possibly the best tutorage you can get at Barca! he should be better by now.

At the same time there are a lot of late bloomers! players that didnt look much when they were teenagers or early twentys but then exploded in thier late twentys.

Its just should we take the risk or not?

Personally 15m would be worth it for me.

[didierforever 7,349]

are those quotes from a forum? one like this one? where people think hazard is god, mourinho is crap, we have parked the bus all thru the season. RM have promoted youngsters in a 24 year old nacho but azpi should not be included in the debate.

and these are great things that i have read in the last 24 hours ONLY. but a very valid point "quoting" evertonians.

oh well!!!

[The Skipper 20,593]

yes he had a decent performance. i have already said in my first post, why i think so. tell me how many decent chances did everton make? the one where naismith was unable to score 1v1 with joe hart, lukaku's run to pull of a defender wide was good. his goal was good. except for that he dint get any service whatsoever.

we are not discussing naismith but a striker cant do much when the player behing him loses the ball every second touch. lukaku did his job yesterday. took on players, brought players into the game, movement was good. i dont know how u r saying it was a poor performance?

Well, he tried to take on players but failed 4 times. He barely brought anyone into play (laying it off to players behind you isn't really bringing them into play), was offside unnecessarily a few times too. He was frustrating to watch apart from his goal. I personally expect more from Romelu (in his general game, not his goal scoring ability) and have seen him have better games in that respect so yes, I still maintain that he wasn't. Agree to disagree then.

[The Skipper 20,593]

are those quotes from a forum? one like this one? where people think hazard is god, mourinho is crap, we have parked the bus all thru the season. RM have promoted youngsters in a 24 year old nacho but azpi should not be included in the debate.

and these are great things that i have read in the last 24 hours ONLY. but a very valid point "quoting" evertonians.

oh well!!!

I'm not quoting them in regards to our discussion, relax and stop crying. Just trying to spark a debate about his performances in general this season and what a few Everton fans think about his performance in general this season. If you read it you'll see there are some positive stuff in there too.

[lucio 5,418]

i saw some wonderful passes in the 1st half

[Gilvorak 3,734]

It's ridiculous how overrated this kid is. There's a reason opinion is heavily divided amongst the Everton fanbase who actually watch him week in-week out and he warms the bench for Belgium.

He scores a routine tap-in, the shit memes/twitter jokes, subsequent dig at Chelsea/Mourinho by the commentator/pundits immediately follows & the Belgian brigade head to this thread in flocks. In reality they fail to mention the innumerable amount of shit first touches, poor fitness, the wayward passing, lack of finesse/guile & the baffling inability to play with his back to goal.He really is the ultimate MOTD player.

IMO, we should sell if the Costa rumours are true while the hype is still rife. Spend the £25m on a pacy versatile forward that can run in behind ala Sturridge, Suarez & Aguero, Maybe Remy or Vela could be options.

[lionsden 4,689]

It's ridiculous how overrated this kid is. There's a reason opinion is heavily divided amongst the Everton fanbase who actually watch him week in-week out and he warms the bench for Belgium.

He scores a routine tap-in, the shit memes/twitter jokes, subsequent dig at Chelsea/Mourinho by the commentator/pundits immediately follows & the Belgian brigade head to this thread in flocks. In reality they fail to mention the innumerable amount of shit first touches, poor fitness, the wayward passing, lack of finesse/guile & the baffling inability to play with his back to goal.He really is the ultimate MOTD player.

IMO, we should sell if the Costa rumours are true while the hype is still rife. Spend the £25m on a pacy versatile forward that can run in behind ala Sturridge, Suarez & Aguero, Maybe Remy or Vela could be options.

The one in bold use to be on our books but we decided he wasn't good enough or worth keeping. fantastic decision there, NOT

[Gilvorak 3,734]

The one in bold use to be on our books but we decided he wasn't good enough or worth keeping. fantastic decision there, NOT

Benitez fucked us over on that one. RDM played a part as well but he was apparently "injured" before he was sacked.

[Polo7 3,496]

It's ridiculous how overrated this kid is. There's a reason opinion is heavily divided amongst the Everton fanbase who actually watch him week in-week out and he warms the bench for Belgium.

He scores a routine tap-in, the shit memes/twitter jokes, subsequent dig at Chelsea/Mourinho by the commentator/pundits immediately follows & the Belgian brigade head to this thread in flocks. In reality they fail to mention the innumerable amount of shit first touches, poor fitness, the wayward passing, lack of finesse/guile & the baffling inability to play with his back to goal.He really is the ultimate MOTD player.

IMO, we should sell if the Costa rumours are true while the hype is still rife. Spend the £25m on a pacy versatile forward that can run in behind ala Sturridge, Suarez & Aguero, Maybe Remy or Vela could be options.

But but but he is still young. Great post, 100% agree. Now its time for the Lukaku brigade to join us.

[didierforever 7,349]

I'm not quoting them in regards to our discussion, relax and stop crying. Just trying to spark a debate about his performances in general this season and what a few Everton fans think about his performance in general this season. If you read it you'll see there are some positive stuff in there too.

Not at all crying. If anything then laughing.

I think the everyone knows the deal with lukaku. No one wants him to be our 1st strikers But most accept that he ll do good as a 2nd striker.

Anyone who has seen him would know his first needs a lot of work. His dribbling, speed, movement and shots are his strengths. But well I also thought he was good yesterday so what do I know.

[didierforever 7,349]

But but but he is still young. Great post, 100% agree. Now its time for the Lukaku brigade to join us.

But but But he cant head a ball.

[didierforever 7,349]

i saw some wonderful passes in the 1st half

Really? If u believe people on here, he did a torres yesterday.