Romelu Lukaku

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

Is that the follow up to 50 shades of Grey?

Yep its a trilogy

[The Skipper 20,593]

I mean he could drive the f*cking player bus down a canyon and you'd still applaud him. There's no criticism towards his decisions whatsoever. Even worse, anyone who does dare to critisize him is being bashed for a "Belgium fan boy" or whatever. Anyone criticizing (or however the f*ck you write that word) Mourinho couldn't possibly be a Chelsea fan right?

I wonder how you would've reactied if it were Benitez who brought in veterans like Eto'o and Drogba for strikers. Sell Mata to United. Allow for Lukaku to go out on loan when we had zero options in attack. And so on.

Perspective.

I criticised Mourinho for some games last season but I support him with this move as I have with others and vice versa. I call it how I see it. The Lukaku sale has nothing to do with people blindly following Mourinho, people can think for themselves you do know that?

[Stats 7,059]

Completely not true and the situation between Sturridge and Lukaku is different. I for example was gutted to see Sturridge go, from the get go I was and remained one of his strongest, vocal supporters (check the Sturridge thread if you don't believe me) but I'm not too fussed about Lukaku leaving tbh, especially since we got a nice price for him.

Sturridge was messed about by the club. He sacrificed his game under AVB and played on the RW in an unnatural position, and was one of our key players under AVB for a while - he actually finished as top scorer for us in the league despite playing out of position that year, and despite not basically not playing at all under RDM after AVB was sacked. Sturridge has always been a technical player and very complete, people's problem with him wasn't his mouth, it was that he seemed too selfish on the pitch.

Romelu's situation is very different. Lukaku has not contributed anything at all to our club and was too scared to fight for his place last year (unlike Sturridge who was a real casualty in the 'Torres must play at all times' situation), hence why he went out on loan to a more comfortable environment where he'd 100% be the number one striker. Yes, he's scored goals for Everton and WBA but that's not his problem, everyone knows Romelu will get goals wherever he goes. He has some real, technical weaknesses to his game that he will never really fully fix, and because of that he'll never be a true complete striker.

Romelu clearly wanted to go - that's more than apparent because he clearly has said that on multiple occasions - unlike Sturridge who only said that he deserves a chance as a striker at CFC - those two are very different things. Sturridge really wanted to play for CFC and did almost everything, whilst Romelu hasn't done anything for us. He doesn't get along with Mourinho, isn't willing to fight it out with Costa, Torres and Drogba, has been angling for a move from our club for ages so the best option by far is to sell him now whilst we can get close to £30m for someone who doesn't even want to be here.

Romelu will definitely be a good striker, but it isn't a certainty at all that he'll be one of the best in Europe. He still has a lot of developing to do in quite a few aspects of his game. I personally think Everton will be his ceiling though, whilst I always thought from day one that Sturridge could be a WC striker (he's not there yet though). I don't have the same feeling about Lukaku so I say adios easily, because he has done nothing here.

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.

Do you seriously not understand the difference between scoring for WBA/Everton and scoring for Chelsea? His world cup performances were as piss poor as his good performances for Everton, and while I think he could improve to one day be good enough to lead the line for Chelsea, he isn't atm.

Also, this graveyard of young talent has Hazard, Oscar, Schurrle, Willian, Salah, Christensen, Ake, Azpilicueta, Costa, Lukaku and Courtois in our first team squad and they're all under 26. We have more young talent than most other teams in Europe. If you;re talking about young talent promoted from the youth that's a whole different story, but one that isn't relevant here as Lukaku didn't come through our youth system either.

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.

I don't hate him. I loved the idea of him playing for us but I'm disappointed that he threw it away.

He actually asked to leave the club. This club. The club you say you support. He didn't want to play for it.

Jose doesn't want players who don't want to work hard and win their spot. That's the truth. If you can't understand that then I can't help you.

Just please, for my benefit say that you understand this basic notion. I normally assume people read things I post, absorb them, understand them....but with you I actually need to see you say that you've read and understand it. If you do I'll donate £5 to the monthly upkeep of this site ok because I feel like I've typed it before but it's simply not registered with you.

Ok?

Cheers.

Actually it comes down to attitude. Yes he scored goals for mid-table sides at a young age. Technically I think he leaves a lot to be desired, but that all pales in comparison to attitude.

Again, try and understand that. What we have is a squad full of players with first-class attitudes. Lukaku requested a transfer because he had competition for a spot.

If that's what you think is a decent attitude to have to your profession, then you're going to get an almighty wake-up call when you leave school and enter the working world.

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.

Lukaku will never be a top player, his small minded mentality of wanting to be the star player will hinder his career.

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.

[sdrcfc 461]

Cavani-Costa

Hazard-Fabregas-Schurrle

Matic

Luis-Terry-Cahill-Azpi

Courtois

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

https://twitter.com/RomeluLukaku9/status/494454634149601280

@RomeluLukaku9

Just tweeted his goodbye, he is gone for good.

Anyone know how to display his tweet in that link?

[ParNolio7 285]

I criticised Mourinho for some games last season but I support him with this move as I have with others and vice versa. I call it how I see it. The Lukaku sale has nothing to do with people blindly following Mourinho, people can think for themselves you do know that?

You'd think they can.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

The question here is why would Cavani join a team playing with one striker when Costa and Drogba have just been bought. Only one of three can start the game and players like Cavani or Costa don't join teams to become a 30 minute sub.

Well no one will be a guaranteed starter. I think jose will pick players based on form so if Cavani is playing well then I am sure he'll get to play often.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

Cavani-Costa

Hazard-Fabregas-Schurrle

Matic

Luis-Terry-Cahill-Azpi

Courtois

We spent a full season where we played with the sole striker. Don't think Jose will change the whole thing just for Cavani. I'd love Cavani here but we can't expect both Costa and Cavani to start together.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

But maybe we put buy back or first option to buy clause on this, and it turn out to be a brilliant move.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

Well no one will be a guaranteed starter. I think jose will pick players based on form so if Cavani is playing well then I am sure he'll get to play often.

Yes, and in happy happy joy joy-land he'll leave PSG where he is a starter and take his chances in London for some reason. But in reality I don't see that happening.

A young talented player (like Lukaku, sadly) would be the ideal second striker, and Drogba is perfect to step in when needed and coach the youngsters.

Costa - Drogba - Mandzukic/Cavani will not work in a one striker system. Read my lips.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

But maybe we put buy back or first option to buy clause on this, and it turn out to be a brilliant move.

I think Lukaku really wanted to leave and he wouldn't have agreed to such a clause.

[LAM09 6,779]

I wanted him to succeed at Chelsea, but it looks like he is taking the easy route. Good for him!

[ParNolio7 285]

I'm probably the only one but I think "Stats" is - by far - the smartest guy on this forum (yes, myself included). Hooray for Stats!

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

I think Lukaku really wanted to leave and he wouldn't have agreed to such a clause.

Well, he is still a Chelsea fan, doesn't he?

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

Well, he is still a Chelsea fan, doesn't he?

Wouldn't bet my house on it actually.

[The Skipper 20,593]

hate it when good players forced to leave just because they 'said something' that Mou doesn't like. Ridiculous. That's why he was booted from Real, no one liked him anymore for his ridiculous ego and beliefs.

Come on... Don't make things up. Mourinho pretty much left Madrid on his own accord. Perez said that it was Mourinho's decision. They still remain good friends. It was a mutual decision, he wasn't booted out.

"The door is not closed for Mourinho," he said. "He is going with sadness, with a difficult understanding of how the media are here. With sorrow, I believe. It is not easy to live with this pressure, which has sometimes been unjust, with a personal side.

"In the end we reached a conclusion, after three years that the best for him and the club was to separate, but to remain good friends. Life is very long and you never know what can happen."

[bababoom 4,478]

People on the Everton forum seem to be pissing themselves in joy.

Of course they, for starters they are finally spending big, the Everton fans always complain about Kenwright being tight but now it seems he's ready to spend a bit. Lukaku is a good player and i have no doubts he'll score plenty for Everton but IMO and it's only my opinion he has many things to work on, i just think technically he falls way short and that why Jose doesn't want him (that and his attitude of course).

[The only place to be 11,313]

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.

The thing is we needed him last season. We needed him to fight for his spot and instead he went somewhere there was less competition.

That's something that winners like Mourinho don't want in their team and you clearly don't understand why which is indicative of some parts of our society.

People seem to think that they're ENTITLED to certain things and shouldn't have to fight for them. It's a wider problem in society so I can't really blame you. Let's just agree to disagree because it seems like a concept that is completely anathema to you at this point in your life.