Lukaku talks up potential PSG link

, 20 June, 95comments  |  Jump to most recent

Romelu Lukaku continues to talk obliquely about a potential future away from Everton, describing Paris St Germain as the kind of "great project" he would like to be a part of.

Lukaku has made no secret of his desire to play Champions League football as of next season but he has the not-insignificant matter of his contract at Everton currently standing in his way.

In recent quotes made by Chairman Bill Kenwright, the Blues' hierarchy appear committed to persuading him to stay at Goodison Park but a lot will depend on how much interest there is in the Belgian striker after Euro2016 and whether they can meet Everton's evaluation.

The 23-year-old, who got off the mark at the European Championships in France with a brace against the Republic Ireland, has said more than once now that he wants to be part of a 'project' and he repeated that stance in an interview with GQ magazine earlier this month.

“I'll go to a club that will give me the chance to be part of a great project,” Lukaku said. “I'm only 23, I still have to improve. But I want to win titles because that's what we remember at the end of a career.”

“PSG is a big club, with a magnificent project and a world-class workforce. But everything is in the hands of my agent.

“Many clubs are obviously interested in having me. I must continue to play well. If I have a good European Championships more clubs will be interested in me," he added.

"But I am still under contract with Everton. We'll see what happens.”

Given recent departures of veteran players from Goodison and the changes needed to repair a team that badly under-performed last season, Everton under new manager Ronald Koeman undoubtedly represents a 'project' – albeit one that does not offer European football next season.

Koeman has said he will hold talks with Lukaku after his commitments in France are over to discuss his vision for the team and while Kenwright says the final decision will rest with the new manager, he says the club are hoping the striker will stay.

"At the end of the day it will be up to the manager who he wants and who he keeps," Kenwright said in the Liverpool Echo.

“But have I been working on keeping Rom? Has Farhad been working on keeping Rom? Do we want to keep Rom? 100 per cent we want to keep Rom.

"That's where we are. Ross and John Stones too. We want to keep them and we want to inspire them too.”

 

Reader Comments (95)

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Keith Conchie
1 Posted 20/06/2016 at 07:22:30
His attitude towards our club stinks.
He's a very good player who thinks he's better than he is, and has an agent who tells him he's one of the best in the world (far from it).

Sell him for as much money as possible, and as soon as possible......

David Milner
2 Posted 20/06/2016 at 07:28:26
“PSG is a big club, with a magnificent project and a world-class workforce. But everything is in the hands of my agent".

Silly boy, you are still under contract for another 3 years. Everything is in the hands of EFC, you just remember that.

Ian Hollingworth
3 Posted 20/06/2016 at 07:39:13
Make sure we get £60m plus then good riddance
However we must replace him with quality
Barrie Abbott
4 Posted 20/06/2016 at 07:44:44
Jesus, this guy just can't keep it shut. Funny how he comes out with this after his performance against Ireland rather than his showing against Italy.

Managed right (including agent) he would be a huge asset. As others have said the sooner he's gone the better but would love to know if RK has been in contact with him yet.
Peter Barry
5 Posted 20/06/2016 at 07:50:55
Get rid – he's just another Eto'o in the making.
Colin Glassar
6 Posted 20/06/2016 at 07:57:44
Last night I watched Embolo, touted as a possible replacement, play for Switzerland against France and he was awful. Rom is also keeping Batsuyahi out of the Belgian team, another named candidate. Now if, like Ian says, we get a huge offer for him I'd consider selling him but, we'd better get someone just as good if not better.

Rom won't be easily replaced so I'd keep the big mouthed bugger but someone at the club has to tell him to keep his trap shut or else

Chris Williams
8 Posted 20/06/2016 at 07:59:32
If the reports are true that a word has been had with his agent, it will be interesting to see if there is a change in his rhetoric in the future.
Douglas McClenaghan
9 Posted 20/06/2016 at 08:03:16
"Many clubs" Rom? "Obviously"? The lad should be drug tested.
Martin Nicholls
10 Posted 20/06/2016 at 08:17:43
If Baines was wrong to make the remarks he did then surely the way Lukaku is behaving is infinitely worse yet he seems to be being allowed to get away with it. Whether he stays or goes I would like (if possible within terms of his contract - breach of Club discipline?) to see the Club impose massive fines on him in the form of docked wages.
Peter Murray
11 Posted 20/06/2016 at 08:23:15
Lukaku has been at this for a while.

It's a well-honed process: Agent-organised interviews, normally abroad; claims of being "misquoted", then involving family members; in this case, Lukaku's father. This latter ploy worked particularly well for Fellaini.

The next stage is to bring your dissatisfaction on to the pitch. In the latter part of last season, from his "I want Champions League experience" onwards, Lukaku just ambled around, his major contribution being to miss two crucial penalties, arguably costing us those two games.

Not only is this selfish and greedy (it all means "I want more money") but surely it has a detrimental effect on team morale. What do loyal players like Baines and Jagielka feel when they regularly read such nonsense?

Koeman must get shut asap at the highest price. Otherwise, it will drag on and on.

Jay Woods
12 Posted 20/06/2016 at 08:25:49
He absolutely must go.

And am I alone in being sick of this word "project" in the context of football? It's all you ever hear from foreign players these days, as if a football team is something that exists as part of an educational qualification.

Liam Reilly
13 Posted 20/06/2016 at 08:30:34
We'll only get 50 plus for this guy if we wait until the last hours of the window, when clubs are desperate, because he's not as good as he thinks he is.

That will leave no time for a replacement; so the I suspect we'll see early business if he continues to mouth off for mid forties. That, or the club take a firm stance and hold him to contract.

His agents press release if that happened, would be something.

Alasdair Mackay
14 Posted 20/06/2016 at 08:36:00
Colin #6.

I watched the same match and actually thought Embolo looked good.
It was a dull game where both teams were clearly playing for the required point to send them through the group stages, but his obvious strength and energy was a plus. His movement was good and he seemed to keep the French defenders on their toes.

I am not saying he is on Lukaku's level, but if we got £65m for Rom and spent £20m or so on Embolo and, say, Janssen or Milik. I would be happy.
2 moitvated, promising and potentially prolific strikers in exchange for 1 and some change.

Mike Allen
15 Posted 20/06/2016 at 09:02:55
Two well-taken goals against international third-rate Ireland will no doubt have inflated his ego even further. He has alienated the majority of fans; unfortunately, he has made a rod for his own back.

If he stays with an inflated new contract, I think it will only alienate him further. With three years left on a contract, it should not be reviewed, never mind improved, whoever it is. And if big Ron is the man we think he is, Lukaku could well see a lot more of the bench in future...

Paul Kennedy
16 Posted 20/06/2016 at 09:34:24
Get rid; the only hold up should be to take a leaf out of his own book and wait for the big clubs to put up the big big money.

He has no touch on the ball and no feelings for club or supporters. Go before team building starts.

Ray Roche
17 Posted 20/06/2016 at 09:49:04
If really wants to take part in another "project", then my neighbour's building a summer house. If that's doesn't appeal and he wants to go somewhere else, make him put a written transfer request in, or shut the fuck up.
Ian Burns
18 Posted 20/06/2016 at 09:55:47
You have to wonder if RK persuades Lukaku to stay (highly unlikely) how the dressing room would react after a summer of comments coming out from him; his father and his agent.

You do not hear such things from JS camp and yet he is just as likely to leave given the two Manchester clubs are looking to take him if paper rumours are to be believed.

Colin - 6 - I agree with your comment re Embolo - he did not impress me at all. What top striker is out there good enough to replace Lukaku who would come knowing we don't have European football to look forward to?

Martin Nicholls
19 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:01:58
Ronaldo has not impressed at Euros but no-one would say he's not good enough. Can't judge a player on performances in a tournament such as this.
Terry Underwood
21 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:09:49
For God's sake, let's get shot of this toxic twat before he tears the dressing room apart. Close the book on him and move on. Trust the new boss to find a replacement.
Tony Abrahams
22 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:11:54
Jay 12, agree with everything you say mate, and must add that this is coming out of the mouth of a 23yr old. "Obviously"
Garry Corgan
23 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:12:10
This might sound stupid, but can we start disciplinary procedures against him - in the same way that my employers would if I gave them cause? Though how do you actually discipline somebody like Lukaku? Can't hit them in the pocket. Anybody got any bright ideas?
Gerard Carey
24 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:14:24
PSG will suit him down to the ground. A one-horse race every season, and guaranteed to get Champions League every season. Until he comes up against a serious team in the knock out stages, those nasty Italian teams who know how to defend!!!!!.
Dave Roberts
25 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:15:42
I really hope we can keep Rom and that he will knuckle down, get on with his job and get a bit nearer to the player he thinks he is. But he is really starting to annoy the fuck out of me now.

I'd have to ask him what has happened to the plan to go to Juventus Rom? Or was that just your dad's idea? Or more likely is it because you had a go against Italian defenders last week, did nowt and don't fancy it?

Does this mean you now have your heart set on earning a fucking fortune playing for the only strong team in a very weak league, scoring loads of goals against poor defences, winning almost guaranteed easy trophies and being certain of Champions League football every year? You could get that playing for Celtic.

Hmmmm!

David Tennant
26 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:16:09
If we sell him, which I really don't care about either way (as we either keep a proven goalscorer who has obvious limiting flaws, or we get an inflated fee for a goalscorer with obvious limiting flaws) I'd love us to go for Iheanacho of man city. Very young, strong, technically appears better than Lukaku and scores goals. However, getting city to sell is another matter completely.
Another striker who would be of interest as a stop gap at the very least is Javier Hernandez. Very Evertonesque in work rate, proven goalscorer, knows the premier league and won it, as well as having played at the highest level.
Who knows what will happen this summer though.
Brian Griffin
27 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:20:25
I think the key sentence in this disappointing article is "But I am still under contract with Everton". We, and not his agent, will decide if he leaves in the summer or not. I hope the club are firm with him and keep hold of him. Despite his attitude, I think he's a great player and has the potential to be even better. Hopefully RK can get him to knuckle down and get him to produce the kind of clinical finishing that destroyed Ireland, on a regular basis for Everton.
Brent Stephens
28 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:26:49
Isn't that GQ article now 7 days old? Has Rom come out and said something else since then? I thought we'd already had a thread on that statement from him?
Ray Roche
29 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:29:05
And will people please stop saying that he's "only" 23. Just for balance, have a walk round some of the Military Cemeteries in northern France, the Somme etc, and have a look at the ages of the fallen and then make the case that he's "only" 23.
Yeah, his life pretty shit right now isn't it? 70k a week. Must be awful...
Tony Abrahams
30 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:29:05
Garry, after reading that quote, it's obvious that he's had his own way for all his life.

Cut off our nose to spite his face? I think it would do too much damage to the team, having such an highly self-centred, opinionated fool, moaning every day at the training ground.

I wish I could be honest and say I hope Lukaku's goals win Belgium the tournament, but I would actually prefer Sweden to knock them out after reading young players talk about themselves with such fucking big egos.

The next part of the 'project' is the most important, Rom; prove you're not a flat-track bully, and go and bully the best defenders?

Niall McIlhone
31 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:30:31
I've always supported Lukaku as an intelligent lad who is not shy about stating his ambitions, but this latest raft of "wantaway" talk has made me conclude that we should get rid, and quickly. We should not have him back for pre-season as he won't be a good influence.

Mr Koeman should pay whatever it costs to get the Dutch lad (Janssen) in – this lad will run through brick walls and has skills, finishing and aggression.

I wish Lukaku well in his career because he has produced the goods for us, but each time he opens his gob, his dignity rating takes a plunge.

Pete Ellingham
32 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:32:41
What a twat!
Tony Abrahams
33 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:36:42
Ray, it was me who brought into the thread that he was 23, but it was exactly for the reasons that you say.

He's had a decent start to his career, but he talks like he his the next Maradona or Messi.

A 23-year-old who has had his own way right through life but, to reach the top level, you have to be able to do more than talk a great game.

The obvious quote has obviously made me feel sick!

Damian Wilde
34 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:38:19
On the last Lukaku thread some posters had a go at some of us as he was only saying 'I want CL football' (completely untrue) and that we should 'support' our players. Your thoughts now fellas????

He's a first class tit. Do one, you arrogant, narcissistic, condescending prick. You're a lazy get with a poor attitude and I don't want this at our club, even if he does score a lot of goals – we're not the Red Shite.

Andy Meighan
35 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:39:10
I hope he scores a few more in the Euros and his price keeps going up. I can't wait to see the back of this poison bastard. Since day one, all he's talked about is leaving.

I don't care how good or bad he is. He's played 20 minutes of football for Everton since January and single-handledly cost us a chance of a cup final place.

One arrogant self-important, big-headed fucker. Shut the door on your way out. Gobshite.

Mike Allen
36 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:41:55
A great player – he is definitely not. He may well have scored a few goals but he is nothing special. If he doesn't score, he does not contribute to the team, especially when up against it.

You can't improve on what he hasn't got. He's 23 for Christ sake, coached since about 9 – if he ain't got now, he ain't going to get it. He will score some spectacular goals and will make some spectacular misses but that's all strikers: great – he is not.

Ray Roche
37 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:43:46
Tony,#33, I wasn't particularly referring to this thread, it's a point made by loads of people on various threads since he started mouthing off and, rightly, taking criticism for his comments. Not a pop at you at all Tony.

Damian#34.

Do us a favour. Tell us what you really think of him...

Tony Abrahams
38 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:50:47
No problem, Ray, I just thought you had read my post wrong. The fact that he's coming out with these quotes at such a young age tells us everything about his ego, and the life he's probably had.

Anto Byrne
39 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:54:45
Maybe someone at the club should remind him who employs him and, if he wants away, to hand in a transfer request. Otherwise, shut the fuck up.
Kim Vivian
40 Posted 20/06/2016 at 10:56:05
Hope he stays AND has competition for his berth so he has to earn the start.

...but what a knob.

Brent Stephens
41 Posted 20/06/2016 at 11:00:47
Kim, yes a bellend to come out and say those things. I, too, wouldn't quibble if Koeman wants him to stay, persuades him to stay, and we end up signing some very good competition for Rom, with him continuing to knock them in at the rate he has been doing.
Mike Green
42 Posted 20/06/2016 at 11:09:40
Barrie #4 / Brent #28 – he came out with this before the Ireland game (I saw it on Saturday morning...) and if its a week old might even have said it before the Italy game.

Chris #8 – I think his rhetoric is changing – over the weekend when asked about moving to Juventus he seems to have kept it down to being focused on playing for the national team at Euro 2016 and for any further comment to speak to his agent. So – yes, I think on face value someone has had "a word".

Laura Round
43 Posted 20/06/2016 at 11:13:40
Apparently Everton have sent people to talk to his agent to make it clear we want to keep him.
Brent Stephens
44 Posted 20/06/2016 at 11:22:18
Thanks, Mike. I guessed so. I hope it is all toned down since then and "going forward" (dread phrase).
Laurie Hartley
45 Posted 20/06/2016 at 11:28:44
Since I started watching Everton in 1961, with the exception of Liverpool, who were promoted that year, and Arsenal, I have seen every other team that started the 2015-16 Premier League season relegated. Yes, all 17 of them.

Everton is a great football institution.

Unless these quotes from football magazines are lies, it seems our 23-year-old record signing has said "I will go to a club .........."

My interpretation of this is that he doesn't think Everton is a good enough "project" for him. That being the case, I am going to exercise my right as a longstanding fan of the club and take umbrage to that statement. In this little blue duck's opinion, he is not good enough for us. His heart isn't in it.

Everton Football Club has been through the good times and bad times in my 55 years as a fan and I am convinced that we will manage perfectly well without Romelu Lukaku. The chemistry will be better.

Steve Carse
47 Posted 20/06/2016 at 12:19:41
In days gone by anyone talking like this would have been punished by a lengthy absence from the side and a fine. That said, Lukaku was absent for the last 10 games of last season ........

Get rid.

David Hallwood
48 Posted 20/06/2016 at 12:42:03
Has him and his old fella got a daily column in a Belgium newspaper with a naff tag line like the way we see it or we shoot from the lip. If not Rom (and daddy rom) shut the fuck up and just kick a ball.

You're supposedly an intelligent man so if someone asks about your future just say I'm contracted to Everton blah blah or put a transfer request in- that should piss your 'super' agent off losing all that money. But he is a super agent so he'll be able double your money.

John Graham
49 Posted 20/06/2016 at 12:42:24
Think this shows he's after an easy life with good money. Top team ( only team in France judging by how many points they won the league by ). Would have an easy time during the season with only having to perform well in the Champions league. Owned by multi billionaires so money would be up with the best.
From what he was saying at the beginning of his career about improving to be a great striker I guess he has given up now and probably his greedy agent thought let's make lots of money for both of us.
Ahhh well such is life, there's more fish in the sea as long as the seagulls haven't eaten them all.
Trevor Lynes
50 Posted 20/06/2016 at 12:53:09
I reckon we should do what Liverpool did over Suarez.Make him stay as per his contract and if he plays really well we can sell him for top dollar at the end of next season if he still wants away.

Koeman may interest him with his 'NEW' project for our club.If he signs a couple of top players and we reach Europe then Lukaku may want to stay.He is under contract and it is in his own interest to play well and attract other clubs.Suarez stayed at Liverpool longer than he wanted and they made a lot of money when they sold him on their terms.If Lukaku wants away he must put in a written transfer request and in the meantime continue to play as his contract stipulates.

Christopher Timmins
51 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:00:08
If he scores one or more goals against second rate teams in the Euros it might convince one of the big cheque book clubs to pay over the odds. He has burnt his bridges with our club.

No real point comparing him with Suarez as he is simply not in his league

Steve Boardman
52 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:01:03
Laurie (45), please don't give the RS more credit than they deserve. I think they were promoted in 62...............

The only time I have been to Mordor, other than derbies, was when an RS uncle took me to see them in the old Div 2. I think he was trying to convert me, god forbid! I live to see the day they are back where they belong.

Brent Stephens
53 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:02:38
Laurie - instruction might have been right - School of Science and all that.
Gavin Johnson
54 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:05:35
Hope Rom keeps bagging the goals for Belgium. It means we can stand firm on the £65m fee and PSG are less likely to haggle assuming they are the only club that will realistically pay that kind of money.

As for the other teams. I don't think Chelsea will pay that on principle, and I can't see United going in for him with Mourinho at the helm.

I would hope that Koeman can persuade John Stones to stay. As for Rom. He's gone from hero to zero for me and can go as far as I'm concerned. The only circumstance in which I'd like him to stay is if John Stones is sold. I wouldn't like two major exits this summer.

David Barks
55 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:10:45
Christopher Timmons,

You're right, he's not in Suarez' league. He's actually far better and been far more successful at his age than Suarez was during those same years. He only just turned 23, which means he has 7 years until he even comes into the prime of his career.

So yeah, he can keep scoring against those "second rate" teams, just as he did this past season when he scored against Leicester (league champs), Chelsea, City, West Ham, Southampton and Liverpool. He can score a brace against Ireland, while Ibrahimovic can't even get a shot on goal never mind score in his first 2 games.

Kev Nulty
56 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:11:15
Cash in now! If they don't want to play for Everton, let 'em go.... and get some players in who do!!
Frank Crewe
57 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:19:50
As I said in another thread only 5 of the current French Euro squad actually play for French clubs. I wonder why? If he wishes to waste his career in a second rate league so be it. No player is irreplaceable. If PSG match the asking price then flog him. I'm sure Koeman can put the money to good use and find one or more replacements.
Ray Jacques
58 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:25:12
Just get rid.
I like to see the Everton players do well at the Euros but when he plays I feel nothing.
I don't believe he is the type to knuckle down and play well if kept against his wishes a la Suarez, but would more likely put in little effort and disrupt any team spirit we may generate.

I trust RK to do the right thing for Everton after he meets him once Belgium are out.

Sam Hoare
59 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:27:41
This interview is at least a week old now. Not clever but not news.

Fact is that we will not find a more reliable, young scorer of goals in Europe. We can take a punt on someone and it might work out but right now we have something that most teams want. Someone that has consistently scored at around 1 every 2 games.

My message to Romelu:

"Stop talking about other clubs. You are under contract at Everton. You're ambitious? Fine. But so are we. Give us one more season under Ronald where you buckle down and work hard for the team (not just yourself) in a way that will make the big teams really want you. If after that you feel this team and manager can't give you what you want then by all means go with our blessing, please do so discreetly without shouting it all over the press. Show a bit of class, it goes a long way."

Tony Abrahams
60 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:31:41
I know this is a site for Evertonians, but that's some shout David, about Suarez, not being in Lukaku's league, by the age of 23.

If Lukaku, had a tenth of Suarez's natural aggression, and desire, he might just reach the very top. For me he's a man child, who I think will probably peak around 26 years of age.

Once he loses that quick powerful burst, he will start to regress, especially considering he doesn't really have a stand-out quality, in his over-all game.

This might change as he develops, but from the way he talks, I doubt this very much, because he already talks like he's a legend.

Alan J Thompson
61 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:34:11
He may well say that after he retires looking back on the titles he won is what it is all about but it sounds to me very much like he is running out of clubs who will pay him what Everton are paying him in the here and now.
Peter McHugh
62 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:40:20
By far and away the most annoying bit of all this is that his agent is always referred to as "super-agent". It's as if there would a libel action if he's simply called agent
Damian Wilde
63 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:42:09
David:

"He's not in Suarez' league. He's actually far better ."

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Lukaku will never be in the top league of strikers.

"He can score a brace against Ireland, while Ibrahimovic can't even get a shot on goal never mind score in his first 2 games."

That settles it, Lukaku is a far better player than ZI has ever been.

You keep loving the guy that is maing a mug of you.

John Daley
64 Posted 20/06/2016 at 13:59:00
"You're right, he's not in Suarez' league. He's actually far better.."

-------------------

"Is he fuck"

Roger Lukaku

Mike Green
65 Posted 20/06/2016 at 14:31:28
David #55 - my calculations might be wrong but...

Lukaku's just turned 23 and from what I can see has scored 119 goals across 278 games over 8 seasons. This gives him a goal per game ratio of 43%.

By the end of the 2010 season, when Suarez turned 23, he had scored 126 goals across 204 games across 6 seasons, which gives him a goal per game ratio of 62%.

That makes Suarez almost half as good again as Lukaku, at the same age, from a goal scoring perspective. If we had a comparison on assists I imagine Suarez would be in a completely different county.

Nigel Munford
67 Posted 20/06/2016 at 15:05:21
Press conference apology will be the only way he can start to rebuild any career at Everton, I think he will become more and more disruptive if he's made to see out his contract.

Btw, we sack RM and he wants the rest of his contract paying up, Lukaku wants to go before the end of his contract, should we not penalise him in some way for wanting out, seems football's a one way street at the moment!
Tony Twist
69 Posted 20/06/2016 at 15:36:50
Plain and simple, pay no attention to him and bring in a quality striker who will totally show him up. He is doing what I use to call, a Moyes, which is bigging himself up. He will find it a lot harder to do when he is just watching from the subs bench as his replacement wins all the plaudits.
James Byrne
70 Posted 20/06/2016 at 15:44:44
Either someone in Everton needs shut Lukaku up or get rid of him. What a disgrace to behave in this way when you're under contract and being paid.
David Barks
71 Posted 20/06/2016 at 15:53:48
Ah, the good ole take a portion of a comment, present it as a quote, and then disagree with the cut off argument. Well played.

So back to the full quote: "He's actually far better and been far more successful at his age than Suarez was during those same years."

See how the context changes when you don't cut off the second half of a sentence? It's funny that way, although I understand it makes your argument much easier to do so.

So, lets look at the two players through their first 22 years. Since Lukaku just turned 23 last month, you can't really include a year of football that he has yet to play. And saying he's played 8 seasons of professional football?? So you're saying he was playing regularly at the age of 15? Hmmm.

Well lets look at the players during those first professional years, from the age of 19 - 22, so 4 seasons. The age of 19 is when Lukaku was loaned out from Chelsea at a teenager to West Brom.

Lukaku scored 17 for WBA, then 16, 20 and 25 in his three seasons here at Everton. For a total of 78.

Suarez, starting in 2006 was at Nacional. He scored 12. Then moved to Groningen, scoring 15. Then on to Ajas where he scored 22 and 28 in two seasons. For a total of.....77.

Last time I checked, 78 > 77. And I do believe that we would all agree that the premier league is a far more competitive and difficult league than the Dutch league, yes?

So continue your mocking all you like. But what you'll notice is that when Suarez turned 23, he scored 49 for Ajax, then moving to Liverpool where as we all know he only got better. It's funny how players continue to get better from their early twenty's into their mid and late twenty's.


Les Martin
72 Posted 20/06/2016 at 15:56:00
If he want to go then no us throwing money at him to stay, as his heart is not in the job.
Also I don't expect any miracles from Koeman either in his first season ie European football. I say this because he has got a huge rebuild on his hands, unless you want much of the same....
Jay Harris
73 Posted 20/06/2016 at 16:07:49
David,
Despite the fact most Evertonians loathe Suarez I think you are in a very small minority if you think Lukaku was a better player at any age.
Goals scored is only one measure what about chasing balls down, grafting for 90 minutes, being able to dribble around defensive walls, linking up play and not giving the ball to the opposition for an easy breakaway.
Dennis Ng
74 Posted 20/06/2016 at 16:14:53
Jay, just to add to your point. Suarez, as much as we all view him as a big cheat, has a much higher win rate. He scores against easy and difficult opponents alike. Lukaku's strike rate has be phenomenal but his teams have not been winning as much. RS' #2 season is mostly down to Suarez. Can we say our #5 season was down to Lukaku?
David Barks
75 Posted 20/06/2016 at 16:16:14
And what about Suarez often getting suspended and unable to contribute at all to his team, something he was criticized for often by his Ajax manager. Lukaku has played in just about every damn match, and I don't recall Lukaku being responsible for giving the ball away for easy breaks the other way.

I recall Barkley doing that quite a bit, as well as McCarthy and our defenders doing so in our own half. The entire Everton team didn't chase down the ball because Martinez had them in a system where they say off. Did you not notice all 10 outfield players the past two seasons constantly standing off their man and just letting the opposition take the ball forward? Criticizing Lukaku for that makes no sense.

Soren Moyer
76 Posted 20/06/2016 at 16:19:09
So, he thinks he is right up there with the likes of Levandowski, Suarez, Benzema, Higuain, etc...

What a disillusioned twat. Get rid ASAP!
David Barks
77 Posted 20/06/2016 at 16:25:41
The argument isn't whether Lukaku is better now than Suarez is now, he is not. My argument is that he is only improving, and Suarez has done nothing but improve since the time he was Lukaku's age.

Of course he needs to work on aspects of his game. What 22 year old has ever been the finished article? In fact, what player isn't always needing to improve something?

Again, he only just turned 23 and has done nothing but get better year after year, which is why this talk about him being average and we should just get rid and bite whoever a hand off that offers a decent amount, that's just idiotic and an emotional response to a player who is looking at his options. If you had no emotional connection to this club and had to sit through the past 2 years of a garbage manager, while the Board seemed quite happy to just see how things went, would you not be thinking the same?

Of course we don't like it, of course I'd prefer if he just would give a standard "not thinking about any move right now, focused on the Euros" answer to the media. But, he is just turned 23, how media savvy and mature were you at that age? And I'm looking forward to seeing what Moshiri and Koeman plan to present in an effort to get his to stay. Because if they really do spend the money that's being discussed, there is every chance that he could be a 30+ goal striker next season. And it makes all the sense in the world for Everton to be the one to benefit from that, instead of getting a sum of money that will be spent with no guarantee as to the success of that replacement.

Dennis Ng
78 Posted 20/06/2016 at 16:37:42
David, fair enough on not comparing him to Suarez.

The aggravating point is that his UCL talk has continued thus far, a big distraction for us with RK's appointment just days ago.

Similar to saying Lukaku's replacement is a gamble, Lukaku might not fit well with RK's tactics. Unlikely but possible. I'm not against us keeping him but someone from the club needs to make a stand against Lukaku's non-stop cries to want to go to a UCL club. If PSG pay the money we want, there is no debate, but until then, someone at the club needs to remind Lukaku, his family and his agent of his contract with us.

For us, we need to get capable strikers in quickly to pair up with him or to replace him. Nothing works as better leverage than having a capable replacement coming right through our door and telling Lukaku he's making a mistake wanting to leave so soon.

Damian Wilde
79 Posted 20/06/2016 at 16:37:59
David, you forgot go include games played in your stats, a factor, yes?

To be honest, why are we having an in-depth analysis of Rom v Suarez 17-22? Pointless.

Rom is a good goalscorer, but if he can't trap a ball at the age of 23 or put a shift in he never will; he isn't 14 (all this 'he's reeeaallllly young' crap). So he'll be a very goid player, but not a 'top' one like Aguero, Suarez. And as he is being arrogant and mugging us off, I want him gone. If you want to start a Rom fan club, go for it David.

William Cartwright
80 Posted 20/06/2016 at 16:38:36
Ray (29) . . . . Yes, I get that emotion and so do a lot of others . . . . Or they should do.


Mike Green
81 Posted 20/06/2016 at 16:49:19
David - the season Suarez turned 23 (Jan 2010), he scored 49 for Ajax (you said it yourself). The season Lukaku turned 23 (May 2016) he scored 25 goals. There is no contest.

If you want to knock that on to next season (when he'll have a full year playing at 23) I'll have a spreadbet with you - £1 a goal above / below 49 goals and we'll see where we end up.

Lukaku should get better, that's the normal order of things but if you're forecasting he's going to be as good as Suarez in four, five, six years I think you need to put your pint down and get some fresh air.

Ian Riley
82 Posted 20/06/2016 at 16:50:15
Why dosent someone at the club tell Lukaku to shut up? You were carried for the last ten games of last season. Sick to death of these players who think they are better than anyone else.

Oh yes, three years left on a contract. If – and a big if If – we get 60 million, then goodbye.
David Barks
83 Posted 20/06/2016 at 16:58:43
Mike Green,

Lukaku turned 23 after the season, come on now. Suarez turned 23 snake in he middle of the year. As I said, Lukaku's next year will be when he is 23. It's not that complicated.

And tell me this, do you think that the Dutch league is equal competition to what is faced in the Prem? Do you maybe think the level of competition while playing at Ajax is just a little bit less than what Lukaku has faced?

James Hughes
84 Posted 20/06/2016 at 17:06:10
Personally I couldn't give a feck if he stays or goes. If he goes then we have to get north of £40mill. If he stays I want big Dunc 'n' Rhino to give him a good slapping and teach him some respect. Not that violence solves anything so how about a nice chinese burn . Yeahh
Brian Harrison
85 Posted 20/06/2016 at 17:07:18
Lukaku has spoken on more than one occasion that he is looking for a move away from Goodison. Seems like he has already made his mind up that he wants to go. Make him put a transfer request in as Stones did. Then get the best price you can, once these guys become unsettled then you don't want them round the rest of the squad.
Brian Harrison
86 Posted 20/06/2016 at 17:07:18
Lukaku has spoken on more than one occasion that he is looking for a move away from Goodison. Seems like he has already made his mind up that he wants to go. Make him put a transfer request in as Stones did. Then get the best price you can, once these guys become unsettled then you don't want them round the rest of the squad.
Brian Harrison
87 Posted 20/06/2016 at 17:07:18
Lukaku has spoken on more than one occasion that he is looking for a move away from Goodison. Seems like he has already made his mind up that he wants to go. Make him put a transfer request in as Stones did. Then get the best price you can, once these guys become unsettled then you don't want them round the rest of the squad.
Damian Wilde
88 Posted 20/06/2016 at 17:12:04
Can we not have an argument about 23rd birthdays? It's boring.
Mike Green
89 Posted 20/06/2016 at 17:34:07
David #83

You're right, Suarez's early stats are clearly skewed by operating in the inferior Dutch league. I mean, we all saw how he struggled when he came to play in the Premiership didn't we...

James Byrne
90 Posted 20/06/2016 at 17:41:11
Ha haa..........Lukaku v Suarez!

Lukaku won't ever be good enough to tie his shoelaces.

Gerry Quinn
91 Posted 20/06/2016 at 17:46:34
Damian - I am 65 this coming Thursday, I like your conversations about being 23 - I wish - sigh!
Arild Andersen
92 Posted 20/06/2016 at 17:54:42
Get Janssen and/or Milik asap. Janssen's not at the euros so get to it.
Ian Burns
93 Posted 20/06/2016 at 18:15:45
Gerry - 91 - All the very best for Thursday - enjoy your day and I'll raise a glass to you at wineoclock.
Damian Wilde
94 Posted 20/06/2016 at 18:57:25
Gerry, but I heard you look 23 :) Happy birthday for Thursday and make sure Rom pays for your cake!
Terry McLavey
95 Posted 20/06/2016 at 19:03:09
Get rid as soon as!

Wouldn't it be funny if he was still with us in August if nobody wanted him? I wouldn't want to play at Goodison in front of us after this circus!
John Daley
97 Posted 20/06/2016 at 21:11:10
Lukaku must feel like the bloody luckiest man on earth right now to have someone in his corner constantly reminding the ref that he's only clocked up 23 birthdays in this fight.

At age 24 Suarez had already scored over a 100 goals for Ajax, won their player of the year twice in consecutive seasons, been awarded Dutch Footballer Of The Year, (single-handedly) got his national team to the last four of the World Cup, and won Player Of The Tournament at the Copa America. 

Lukaku is going to have to go hell for leather over the next year to eighteen months if he wants to keep young Louis' achievements in sight. 

As for looking further ahead, if he doesn't up his game drastically, Rom's part in this whole Godfather Part II style portrayal of two men at the 'exact same' stages in life is going to go to rat shit quicker than Michael Corleone's 'family' rhetoric after Fredo sat himself down in a rowing boat for a bit of night fishing with Al Neri.

Don Louis' deeds include being crowned:

PFA Player's Player Of The Year

FWA Footballer OF The Year

Premier League Golden Boot Winner

European Golden Shoe Winner (not once, but twice).


Can anyone suggest, with any confidence at all, that young Capo Lukaku is going to go on to claim even one such award? 


"And what about Suarez often getting suspended and unable to contribute at all to his team, something he was criticized for often by his Ajax manager. Lukaku has played in just about every damn match.."

Well, what about it? Despite his abhorrent actions and feral fairground worker face, I don't think Suarez could ever be accused of a lack of effort or simply downing tools in a game the same way Lukaku did during the closing stretch of this past season. If he had have flew into a rage, lamped someone, or come over all Cannibal Holocaust on his closest marker, racking up a subsequent ban, at least then Rom would have had a justifiable excuse for going missing for a couple of months. Whilst he may have physically plonked himself out on the pitch for "just about every damn match", he certainly didn't put anything approaching full effort into all of them. 

Laurie Hartley
98 Posted 20/06/2016 at 23:00:14
Steve # 52 - I have the same aversion to them as you, however perhaps one of the happiest days of my life as an Everton fan was when I saw the Blues trounce them 4-0 at Mordor - As Ken B would say - oh the joy!

On the question of when they were promoted perhaps I should have been more explicit about when I started watching the Blues which was 1961/62 season - the season they won the seconds division.

As for seeing them relegated - I don't think I will but I do live in hope that I will once again see us hammer them at Mordor and maybe even PSG in the Champions League.

Joe Edwards
99 Posted 21/06/2016 at 15:39:10
To all those screaming for Lukaku's head, calm down and look at the bigger picture. Lukaku's agent is out to get him a bumper pay day, talks up Lukaku's exit to a "global power" club.

Everton flex their new financial muscle in a quiet yet forceful manner by securing the services of one of the best managers in the Premier League, much in the way Man City, Man Utd and Chelsea do. Lukaku's agent suddenly starts spouting that Lukaku may stay this season.

Top and tail is that the whole exercise by Lukaku's agent is to get his client a bumper pay rise – it's simply business. As a cash-rich club, we now need to adopt a cash-rich mentality and that means having to deal with bellend agents talking up a deal for their clients.

Damian Wilde
100 Posted 21/06/2016 at 16:17:59
Joe the 'bellend' in question is not the agent (nobody cares about him), Lukaku himself.
Joe Edwards
101 Posted 21/06/2016 at 17:31:41
Damien (#100), I disagree. Players live in ivory towers and hear only what agents, parents, friends and hangers-on tell them.

Lukaku is a young lad who unfortunately (a) has a wanker of an agent, and (b) an even bigger wanker of a dad, both permanently in his ear. My son is 21 and daft as a brush but benefits from wise counselling of his family; Lukaku doesn't have that luxury and so believes the hype being drip-fed to him.

I for one would like to see him stay and am sure Koeman will knock some sense into him and his daft advisors. If he doesn't, he will go for a big transfer fee and crash and burn somewhere.


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