Romelu Lukaku

[DJames 729]

That's not true, because Lukaku played in the 3 out of 4 matches that he was here for before he went out on loan. So, if we're basing it on that, which is far more relevant than basing it on the Torres/Sturridge situation; because as I said, that was different - RDM didn't have the power that Jose had and the board obviously forced RDM to play Torres at all costs - something that Mourinho wasn't required to do; you can see that he actually had a decent chance (much better than Sturridge did anyway) to break through here last season and play a significant role.

That's why I say you can't compare the Sturridge and Lukaku situation and use that as a pointer that Lukaku wouldn't have got game time here under Mourinho; because based out of the small sample we did get to witness - he actually did.

Yes he did get games last season but the striker situation was different by miles. And that still wasn't in his favor much. Chelsea never had much faith in Lukaka even then, understandably he's young and still needs refining. So again it comes back down the fact that he wasn't guaranteed much of a chance here. To narrow it down to his will to fight is a bit demeaning to Lukaku imo

[Korea 734]

On the everton forum

So obviously I'm as made up as the rest of you that we've managed to bring him back on a permanent deal (especially just after securing Barkley's future at the club), and now that he's officially an Everton Player, I think it's worth discussing whether he truly has the attributes to lead the line.

Don't get me wrong, there is no denying whatsoever that he is an immense talent, my only question is whether we actually get the most out of him by playing him the furthest up the pitch.

The times when he went missing last season, based on my observation, were times when he was forced to mostly play with his back to goal, as he struggled to get good shots off after shooting, and his touch would often let him down in these situations.

Contrastingly, he was absolutely deadly when he was able to run onto the end of a through-balls, or when he got the ball deeper and was able to dribble at defenders, or when the ball was played between him and the goal from the goal line.

Don't these attributes make him seem more like a number 10 a player suited to play in the hole just behind a centre-forward, than an out-and-out target man striker?

Based on the above, I think two things could happen, either:

1.) He's young and has yet to develop the aspects of his game that would make him a deadly target man, and over time his ability to buy space to shoot when his back is to goal will improve, meaning his future at the club is as a number 9. centre forward.

2.) We use a formation that allows us to play him and Barkley directly behind a target man striker (Naismith or Kone?) who can knocked down headers or lay off passes for Barkley and Lukaku to run onto

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Wow, I leave 3 days and we've gone and sold Lukaku

Watching Mourinho's pc after the fact tells a lot, he was disjointed and didn't look happy, he rarely looked up either. But he also deflected when asked if Mourinho was disappointed.

From this I think things got very heated with Mourinho & Lukaku/his agent/his father. It seems as if Lukaku tried to hold the club to ransom and Mourinho called the bluff. As I said before, someone's led Lukaku to overestimate himself and if that's only led him to go to Everton..... It says a lot about how other perceive him.

[yipo 56]

everton going to profit from him 3 or 4 years later by selling him to big club with big offer

[ChelseaFC12 134]

Courtois "its better having players in your position... Its what makes top players, fighting to improve yourself."
John Mikel Obi: " Fabregas? New arrivals means competition. I'll step up and everyone has to."
Van Ginkel on Fàbregas: "Lampard left so he came in. Competition isn't a problem for me, as it makes you better."
Nathan Aké: "If you get a chance at Chelsea, you should not go whining."

And there is one Romelu Lukaku. Who the fuck he think he is?

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Too bad it's not Robben, would like to've seen your defence then.

I know you are hinting at his nationality but using Robben was a poor move. Robben was a good player and at his day, he played well for the club. He did get hate, but he fought for his place while the club wasn't afraid to spend. Lukaku hasn't done anything like that.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

So, no more talk about how Jose wouldn't give him a chance, no more talk about his willingness to fight for his place and the badge. Romelu Lukaku has shown to us all that he's a little baby and when he's challenged, would sooner run than stand and fight.

I don't know about the rest of you but any player who doesn't fancy his chances at besting 36 yr old Drogba and extremely poor Torres, while under studying the most clinical striker in the world last year sounds like a coward in my books. He wants to start at one of the biggest clubs in the world and not work his way into that role. Sorry but that's not proper Chels. Look at who Didier had to ward off to win his place then to keep it? It's that sort of mentality that makes you an assassin! The guy freakin cried in the World Cup and ended up second choice to Origi! He's proven he's not Chelsea standard in my books.

Anyway everyone got what they want in the end. He's gone to fight for middle of the table honours, we get an extremely healthy kitty for a player who is clearly still a kid. I'm pretty sure we'll reinvest the money wisely and continue to build a squad that can easily win multiple titles. Lukaku could've been nice if he had the winners mentality, he clearly doesn't so let's take that kitty and put it into the REAL next Drogba, Benteke or even Bony! One of those guys with costa and didier with Torres cleaning up is a real strike force.

I really hope lukaku doesn't end up regretting this decision he's taken, he's young but opportunities to play for a club this size don't come around everyday. He could one day look back on this and wonder what might've been. I doubt we will do that at Chelsea though, the badge is bigger than any player, when one goes another comes in! Looking forward to some incredible football!

Good luck to lukaku! I had high hopes for him! His personal ambitions weren't congruent with the club's, Jose's wants warriors not cowards.

[Stats 7,060]

So, no more talk about how Jose wouldn't give him a chance, no more talk about his willingness to fight for his place and the badge. Romelu Lukaku has shown to us all that he's a little baby and when he's challenged, would sooner run than stand and fight.

I don't know about the rest of you but any player who doesn't fancy his chances at besting 36 yr old Drogba and extremely poor Torres, while under studying the most clinical striker in the world last year sounds like a coward in my books. He wants to start at one of the biggest clubs in the world and not work his way into that role. Sorry but that's not proper Chels. Look at who Didier had to ward off to win his place then to keep it? It's that sort of mentality that makes you an assassin! The guy freakin cried in the World Cup and ended up second choice to Origi! He's proven he's not Chelsea standard in my books.

Anyway everyone got what they want in the end. He's gone to fight for middle of the table honours, we get an extremely healthy kitty for a player who is clearly still a kid. I'm pretty sure we'll reinvest the money wisely and continue to build a squad that can easily win multiple titles. Lukaku could've been nice if he had the winners mentality, he clearly doesn't so let's take that kitty and put it into the REAL next Drogba, Benteke or even Bony! One of those guys with costa and didier with Torres cleaning up is a real strike force.

I really hope lukaku doesn't end up regretting this decision he's taken, he's young but opportunities to play for a club this size don't come around everyday. He could one day look back on this and wonder what might've been. I doubt we will do that at Chelsea though, the badge is bigger than any player, when one goes another comes in! Looking forward to some incredible football!

Good luck to lukaku! I had high hopes for him! His personal ambitions weren't congruent with the club's, Jose's wants warriors not cowards.

I don't think he is being a coward at all. He just has that arrogance to himself where he considers himself good enough to be starting in the best league in the world. Realistically he could have fought to be 1st choice striker but with the signing of Diego Costa it is very unlikely. If it was not for Costa signing I definitely think he would have been up for the challenge but we signed him and yes we needed a striker like Costa but in Lukaku's view that was probably the final straw for him.

We can keep going on about fighting for his place but assuming Costa continues doing what he does best he was not going to be anything more than a super-sub and a striker who makes a few starts in cup and the odd league games. Costa is only 25 as well and can be leading the line for us for the near decade.

But yeah I agree with you in that he could have had a chance to play at his boyhood team, a team who will be challenging for major honours for the forseeable future and he might think 'what if?' but I am sure he thought about his decision. I do think you are underrating Everton though. They are growing. They have a good manager, did very well last year and I think fatigue and a lack of squad depth prevented them from getting 4th spot last season but with the right additions they can mount another serious challenge and it is not impossible for them to win the F.A Cup plus they are in the Europa League as well. A bit of a hindrance but still a European competition.

But at his age now he probably thinks the mose important thing is to play and I can understand that. He is at a very good team. Like I was saying if he stays here it might take him ages to ever prove he is capable of being the no.1 forward here and he could end up being frustrated. Look what happened last season to start with? He could not initially get ahead of Ba and Torres. Now we have Drogba and Costa who are better than both those strikers so realistically it would be very hard to prove himself and the majority of his appearances will be limited to 20 mins cameos or so.

But yeah good luck to him. He could have stayed and fought for his place but he has gone to a good team where he feels wanted, a team with potential and most importantly for him a team where he is guaranteed first team football and will be able to showcase his talents more.

[LukakutoStamford 779]

[different level 1,056]

[LAM09 6,811]

Lukaku opening his mouth once again!

[didierforever 7,349]

Lukaku opening his mouth once again!

what did he say now?

[LAM09 6,811]

what did he say now?

He has said Jose doesn't believe in young players.

[Madmax 9,219]

He has said Jose doesn't believe in young players.

From the quotes I'm reading, he doesn't mention Mourinho at all. Click - bait journalism.

Exhibit A : http://www.ftbpro.com/posts/max.davis/1143643/romelu-lukaku-says-jose-mourniho-does-not-believe-in-young-players?utm_source=RSS&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Miki-Liki 405]

Yes, he would never entrust a decisive penalty to a youngster

Oops.

[Fernando 6,491]

He hasn't said that. From the quotes I'm reading, he doesn't mention Mourinho at all.

Please put the quotes.

Thank you.

[Madmax 9,219]

Please put the quotes.

Thank you.

Posted it above mate. Look at the headline and look at the actual quotes.

[LAM09 6,811]

He hasn't said that. From the quotes I'm reading, he doesn't mention Mourinho at all.

He said Everton is a good place to develop youngsters. He is clearly insinuating Chelsea isn't.