Our Precious
The covetous eyes of the biggest clubs from the Premier League and Europe will be on Romelu Lukaku this summer but if Everton have no imperative to sell, perhaps only the whims of the Belgian himself could see him leave Goodison Park.
Evertonians waited many, many years for someone like Romelu Lukaku to arrive on the Blue side of Merseyside. For far too long after the departure of Gary Lineker and the twilight of Graeme Sharp’s career, Goodison Park had become something of a striker’s graveyard, a reputation shrunk only briefly by the likes of Kevin Campbell and Ayegbeni Yakubu whose respective contribution of goals was curtailed by age and injury.
Not since Wayne Rooney has a player capable of forging a long career spear-heading the Toffees’ attack graced an Everton side and yet fans of the club have a nagging fear that they could be about to lose their Belgian goalscoring hero as another tilt at the top four peters out into a season of under-achievement in the League.
The eyes of the footballing world have been on Lukaku since he was dubbed the new Drogba amid a torrent of goals for Anderlecht as a teenager, of course. 21 goals, including the mantle of joint-top scorer in the Europa League, for Everton last season represented the latest evidence of a player rapidly reaching full maturity as a forward and, having already surpassed, that tally with at least 11 more games to go and then fired his team to Wembley with a virtuoso striking performance on Saturday, his profile is back in the stratospshere.
You can imagine that Roberto Martinez, given the choice, would have his “precious" hidden away from view Gollum-style for only Evertonians to share but with every goal — 25 and counting already this season — and every world-class, match-winning intervention like that which destroyed Chelsea on Saturday, the Belgian’s profile gets ever bigger. And the sense of fear among Evertonians that we’re soon to lose him grows with it.
Lukaku’s exploits against Chelsea have focused media eyes on Goodison Park and helped to install the Blues as one of the favourites to lift the trophy in May now that Arsenal have been dumped out. That Martinez would be asked about the chances of keeping hold of his prized striking asset was inevitable; even it wasn’t the main thrust of his comments to the press in the wake of the quarter-final victory, media emphasis has centred around speculating about Lukaku’s future regardless.
While supporters will no doubt have been uncomfortable with the Everton manager even entertaining the hypothetical notion of his sale this summer, Martinez's responses were very matter-of-fact and accepting, in his words, of the reality of modern football. You suspect that in using Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid as an example rather than that of Gareth Bale, he was implying not that money talks but that the player’s desires may be the deciding factor.
You got the sense that Ronaldo, having achieved and won trophies in the Premier League, was driven by a desire to try and dominate La Liga and was going to leave regardless whereas Tottenham simply couldn’t refuse £85m for Bale. (Not that Bale, himself, wouldn’t have wanted to accept a high-profile move to one of the biggest clubs in the world, of course.)
As the John Stones saga last August proved, Everton no longer have a financial imperative to sell their best players. Each may have their price but it would have to be astronomical for the club to be tempted to cash in. That narrows the number of clubs who could actually afford him considerably; some of them them would be in the Premier League but beyond that there is only a handful of clubs who could really afford him. It’s a pity because if he were to leave Goodison, surely no one of a Blue persuasion would want him play for another team in England.
So, unless a truly ridiculous, too-good-to-turn-down offer came in for him, perhaps the only force that could see Lukaku move on this summer is Lukaku himself. He has made noises in the past about being ready for the Champions League and that he hopes one day to play again for one of the “top clubs” like his former team, Chelsea. If he is desperate enough to play in Europe’s elite competition as early as next season then he could make it very difficult for Everton to deny him.
Again, though, it would come down to budget and which sides are actually going to be in the Champions League next season. The soaring values in the Premier League have gradually been closing the market for its top talent to all but the wealthiest clubs on the Continent. Meanwhile, Chelsea (a more likely destination you would assume given his support of them growing up and, perhaps, a sense of unfinished business at Stamford Bridge) and Manchester United, two of the domestic clubs to whom the media have been trying to sell him recently, are on course to miss out on Uefa’s gravy train this time around.
Would notoriously frugal Arsenal break the bank to finally solve their need for a consistently reliable goalscorer? Perhaps. Would Tottenham have room for him when they have Harry Kane in their side? Unlikely. Abroad there is Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona, but do any of them him need him so badly that they would pay the earth for him? Paris St Germain seem to be the most obvious answer with Zlatan Ibrahomovic looking likely to leave and Edinson Cavani a perennially rumoured target for United. He would certainly score goals there, walk to the League 1 title — where’s the challenge in that?! — and have a decent crack at the Champions League.
Ultimately, though, Lukaku is already playing in the most exciting league in world football for a genuine sleeping giant who could, thanks to the arrival of Farhad Moshiri, be on the brink of a historic awakening. Yes, after last season’s setback, this was supposed to be the season where it call came together for the Blues and they cracked the top four and they’ve again fallen short. And Romelu could just as easily view winning the FA Cup with the Blues this season as leaving Goodison on a high as he could see it as evidence of a club on the rise.
But there is genuine hope now that an expanded budget, some key additions in the summer and a broader, more well-defined vision from the top could finally make that top-four dream and sustained success to follow a reality.
He has big ambitions but he has also has an affinity with Everton that has been cultivated over almost three seasons playing in front of adoring fans. Certainly his rhetoric in recent months hasn’t been suggestive of someone looking to end that relationship any time soon but, by the same token, he can’t be expected to wait around forever while we as a club get it right.
At 22, though, and with three years yet to run on his Everton contract, he still has time very much on his side and one more season at least to see more definitively where this team is going surely wouldn’t do his career any harm. On the contrary, as Michael Ball says in this latest column for the Liverpool Echo, there is every chance Lukaku could become a legend at Everton Football Club and lead it through a return to better days and silverware if he stays. It would, however, surely be our final chance to prove to him that he can achieve those dreams with us.
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Reader Comments (67)
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2 Posted 15/03/2016 at 02:00:26
And why play in a weaker league in Europe when the Premier League is where most of the top players are (if not the THE top 2 or 3 players) if ambition is your thing?
So it's a good question to ask – where would he go to get what he wants? Unfortunately I think it's still likely to be Man Utd or Chelsea or Arsenal. But the current trend is that these clubs are not the force they once were and that may make Everton a more palatable alternative – so the longer we can hold him the more likely we are to hold him longer, but we must perform next season. I fear we have blown it this season, but who knows – a strong finish in the League and an FA Cup win might keep him going another year.
3 Posted 15/03/2016 at 02:32:04
Best player we have had at that position since the mid-eighties. Sharp had a better first touch and could hold the ball up better than any other player I have ever seen, Lineker was faster, Heath cleverer and Gray a better header and inspiration. Lukaku has a bit of everything, and he is stronger than those four I have mentioned.
I want to see him in an Everton shirt for years. 5-6 at least (he will still only be 27-28 for goodness sakes – some say that's your prime. He is brilliant and I would be gutted, as we all would, if he does leave.
If all our worst fears come true, the club should slap a £100million price tag on him. Think about it. If Bale is worth £85million, what price a 22-year-old at his level? If Barcelona tried to sell one of their three forwards, they would be looking over that amount. In this day and age, he is worth it.
7 Posted 15/03/2016 at 04:24:08
The big deciding factor however is the new owner, Moshiri. We don't know anything about this guy yet and he might have huge ambitions. If he has he won't be selling anyone just yet.
8 Posted 15/03/2016 at 04:48:52
Not for one minute would I want to lose him, firstly because your comparisons made me spit my morning tea out. Heath in the same breathe? Anyway, secondly this will be a marker for Mr Moshiri to stamp his intentions on the supporters and I think the club will offer him higher – much higher – wages in line with the ones he would get if he moved, just to get his agent off the case. He is worth every penny.
The thing I don't like about him is that he could and should get many more goals and I think he reacts too slowly in the box if he doesn't have the ball; he could almost double his tally with a bit more work, but he is just a lad. Just think what he will achieve given a fair crack of the whip.
Thirdly, I think he has a close friendship with a few players and that will mean a lot to him the kind of person he is. It makes me proud to be a blue when I simply hear him talk he has the world at his feet but also he has a great future any where he chooses. Isn't it six languages he speaks?
9 Posted 15/03/2016 at 05:33:58
If other clubs don't know, I would imagine his agent wouldn't be long in telling them.
10 Posted 15/03/2016 at 05:55:34
It will have to be a world class proven striker to replace him.
11 Posted 15/03/2016 at 05:56:16
In any case, compensation is due and the amount needs to be agreed between the 3 parties (two clubs and player) and it is not, despite what some believe, a simple calculation of the wages left on the contract – there's been cases in UEFA where transfers failed as compensation couldn't be agreed.
If you mean a release clause, they're not that common in English football – although Fellaini had one. Legally they are untested and could therefore be subject to challenge. I think with Fellaini he had to forego a loyalty payment (the irony) before Everton agreed to the Man Utd bid which matched his release clause.
Similarly, the RS refused Arsenal's bid of 㿖 million and a quid for Chewy Suarez – despite the release clause being met.
Usually though it comes down to if the player really wants to go, he'll go. I don't think anyone really wants this to be legally tested.
(Side note – notice how the players involved – Jean Marc Bosman and Andy Webster – when it does go legal, really tend not to be worth the legal fees!)
12 Posted 15/03/2016 at 06:11:13
Whatever happens in the ensuing weeks, months, seasons, Roberto's unwillingness to see, change or adapt until his mind is concentrated by the arrival of a new owner – thus totally bollocksing up what could've been a cracker of a season with a little more 'non-philosophical pragmatism' (see Leicester) which could very likely lead to Lukaku's departure. This will forever, just like Kenwright and Kings Dock, hang like an albatross, around the neck of any Legacy, Reputation and Achievements he might garner in the future.
Roberto will be lucky to be here in September and we will be even luckier if Lukaku is as well.
13 Posted 15/03/2016 at 06:23:41
It was obvious to me the first time I watched Rom play in a Blue shirt. The lad is going to be an all-time great for Everton... IF WE CAN KEEP HIM.
He got a fair bit of stick on TW ... bad first touch... lazy... etc etc. As a young man, you are by far from the finished product and obviously will improve your touch as you work on it.
The 'lazy' tag comes because he doesn't run around like a Vardy type of player. As a 14/15 stone lad, he simply can't do that. Better that he preserves his energy for his main job of putting the ball in the net.
He has to be offered a new contract on high wage to keep him mid to long term.
14 Posted 15/03/2016 at 07:02:46
Hopefully they can develop a positive connection with the club and its supporters. More importantly, the bond between manager and the other players can be very strong. Most get paid very well.
All of our " targets " are already on a good wage. With Mr Moshiri on board, matching the other clubs offers is hopefully possible, so the main reasons any player, including Rom, would use to leave, would be trophies, Champions League... glory.
If they do leave, we will most certainly ask, and get, top dollar, but hopefully, Lukaku and the others stick around a while. All of the pieces are starting to fall into place. We are on the verge of something spectacular! The glory will come, sooner or later. Sooner, if what we're building doesn't self destruct before its time.
On another topic, after that little sound bite from Kenwright on the weekend, I don't think that Martinez is going anywhere soon.
15 Posted 15/03/2016 at 07:59:15
That begs another question, is Martinez the right man to lead Everton into this new era? Personally, I would be astonished if he is still here next season. If it is true that Moshiri has been courted by Bill for 18 months, then he has witnessed first hand how inept Martinez has been and I can't imagine that he will entrust his money, dreams and vision to him.
We need a proven winner as a manager, someone streetwise and not afraid to make big decisions. Fingers crossed.
17 Posted 15/03/2016 at 08:12:00
18 Posted 15/03/2016 at 08:17:54
Stones wanted to go, was the subject of three bids from Chelsea, put in a transfer request, and was told "You're going nowhere, you're under contract."
With three years, after the end of this season, left on his contract, is the situation with Lukaku not the same?
19 Posted 15/03/2016 at 08:39:35
20 Posted 15/03/2016 at 08:56:32
21 Posted 15/03/2016 at 08:56:56
Ross and Rom are clearly working well together and should improve too.
When Stones handed in a transfer request we had no replacement, now we have Funes Mori and a number of youngsters. It was handled pretty well really.
Problem is, if you sell Rom, you aren't going to be buying a world class proven goalscorer for the same money – it would cost you more – so what is the point of selling ?
If we sold we'd have to invest in two younger strikers showing potential already at mid-table teams – a bit like Lukaku really.
I expect Niasse will find his feet eventually but he can't replace Lukaku – I'm no really sure who could – Costa? heh.
22 Posted 15/03/2016 at 08:58:13
24 Posted 15/03/2016 at 09:10:12
25 Posted 15/03/2016 at 09:10:21
I think Moshiri, called it right when he talked about the playing field being as level as anytime, since the invention of the EPL. So if Leicester, can have a good go at it, what do you think the talk will be right now, in a lot of changing rooms around the country?
We have some great young players, and if we spend wisely in the summer, we must be in with a shout ourselves next season. That's what I think everyone will now be thinking at Finch Farm, so for that reason, I would be very surprised if he left in the summer.
Martinez, talks more sense when he goes straight to the point, so maybe their might be an agreement in place. But nights like Saturday, will surely make Lukaku, have second thoughts about leaving, if the thought has even entered his head, that is.
26 Posted 15/03/2016 at 09:18:08
27 Posted 15/03/2016 at 09:26:01
Liverpool baulked at losing Suarez and later Sterling, but both eventually left for pastures new.
We had overtures for Barkley and Stones but both suffered loss of form since and their value has dropped.
Barkley had a poor season following all the plaudits he received a couple of years ago.
This season has been better but he is still striving to reach his potential, whatever that level is.
Stones is another who was highly praised but has dropped his form alarmingly of late.
Not long ago he was considered our first choice at centre back, now he is benched.
Most clubs see players as assets and if Lukaku wants to leave then it could be the best time to let him go whilst his stock is so high.
He may have a dip in form next season and his value will undoubtedly suffer.
Do not get me wrong, I want all our best players to stay and that includes Stones, Lukaku and Barkley.
I want to see a huge surge in ambition at the club with our new investor backing the manager with an increased transfer budget.
I want us to emerge from this seasons disappointments and challenge for the title next season with everyone firing on all cylinders.
Unfortunately our club has been infamous for years for breaking up great sides after fleeting successes.
We have never been forward thinking enough to produce those conveyor belts of continued success as have other clubs.
We have followed success by failures too often and I really hope that Mr Moshiri manages to keep hold of our best group of young players and build a great side around them that will last for more than one season.
28 Posted 15/03/2016 at 09:27:13
I tend to believe the lad.
29 Posted 15/03/2016 at 09:39:17
Personally, I don't think he was bought to succeed Rom but probably as an expensive 'sweetener' for some agent or other with whom we might be doing business.
30 Posted 15/03/2016 at 10:01:15
31 Posted 15/03/2016 at 10:04:28
If Lukaku has a weakness it is his unwillingness to chase and press as Martinez wants, this would matter less at PSG than at any of the other top European clubs. If we can keep him, Barkley, Coleman and Stones then we have the nucleus of a team that should be capable of challenging for a top spot, though given English teams' poor performances in the Champions League, it will possibly need a top three spot rather than a top four spot, if Everton are to perform on this stage.
We'll have to wait and see, but I think he will push to leave.
32 Posted 15/03/2016 at 10:07:28
Lukaku of course is a completely different league to what Niasse has achieved, he's better than most strikers at this moment Lukaku though.
I wouldn't be looking to sell Lukaku for any price in the summer but if he goes then Martinez will have to pull something special out to replace that guy, the prolific goalscoring, the power, pace.
I think Niasse will be a useful backup striker, a more fitter upgrade of Kone if you like, but I very much doubt he'll be first choice striker next season regardless of Lukaku being here or not.
I have a hunch Lukaku will eventually end up at Bayern Munich, especially if as half expected Robert Lewandowski follows Pep Guardiola to Manchester this summer.
33 Posted 15/03/2016 at 10:10:08
34 Posted 15/03/2016 at 10:21:11
Rom said this a few weeks ago when asked about his plans... Looks to me he will be going, and from the Martinez interview, RM has resigned himself to this or an agreement has been made.
Seems to be a different situation from the Stones (non-)transfer.
35 Posted 15/03/2016 at 10:22:47
I am worried about RM's comments - a departure from his normal stance in that we don't have to sell our players. It smacks of something he knows and we don't.
However, on the face of it, I personally think it is comes down to three factors, given it is still in the balance.
1) Mr Moshiri and what effect will he have on finances this summer. Will he improve Rom's contract and show we are in the market for some "names" coming into EFC?
2) The FA Cup – winning it might give him an incentive to stay.
3) Our present manager. He needs to convince everybody he is the man to take this club and Mr Moshiri's financial backing to places Rom wants to go.
36 Posted 15/03/2016 at 10:30:09
I believe he convinced the squad that this year was their "shot" and if it didn't pay off then those who wished could move to pastures green.
38 Posted 15/03/2016 at 10:54:10
39 Posted 15/03/2016 at 12:13:14
40 Posted 15/03/2016 at 13:17:09
Man City need a second striker, Sergio Aguerro is mustard but picks up his share of knocks, and they play a lot of games. Rom would get games, a fat wage packet, medals and champions league football.
No need to look for a new house, settle in a new country, or lose contact with his pals in the North West either. Also good form there would ensure a move abroad at a later date if that's what he wanted.
City... you heard it here first..
41 Posted 15/03/2016 at 13:53:46
I don't think he is as certain to go as John Stones, I do not believe for one moment "we don't have to sell anymore", if we seriously wanted to keep beyond this season then he would have been offered a new contract after Chelsea were turned down, over six months later no new contract has been offered.
I hope I am wrong but I think both Stones and Lukaku will go, it's what happens to the transfer money that concerns me.
42 Posted 15/03/2016 at 14:14:10
43 Posted 15/03/2016 at 14:17:38
44 Posted 15/03/2016 at 14:36:21
45 Posted 15/03/2016 at 15:57:39
46 Posted 15/03/2016 at 18:59:23
47 Posted 15/03/2016 at 19:53:23
When Man Utd come calling around August time for Lukaku, set the price around 3 times what we paid for him £75 million.
48 Posted 15/03/2016 at 20:04:41
49 Posted 15/03/2016 at 20:08:52
There's no point talking about what could happen next year, because we all talked about it last year and for all the talk, we've not made progress. So, let's enjoy it why we can, let's see if he can fire us to glory at Wembley and when that's done, if he says he's going, get the right deal for Everton and for what it's worth - it's 70m for me
50 Posted 15/03/2016 at 20:18:33
Now we are giving him the sort of service which suits his game, with balls into his chest, so he can use his brute force to hold people off, or balls played in front of him where he absolutely terrifies defenders.
There are areas of his game that have come on leaps and bounds, I'm convinced that a few a doubts were planted when he was knocked out at Upton park a couple of seasons ago, but he has well and truly exorcised those demons and he is showing exceptional bravery with some of his headers. He's starting to look world class.
Let's him soak the atmosphere in an open top bus journey around the City waving the cup around.
If that doesn't make him want to stay, we may as well start looking for his replacement.
It won't be easy...
51 Posted 15/03/2016 at 20:38:50
Players like Lukaku come along once in a blue moon, that's why there is such a shortage of top strikers. Give the lad a deal he cannot refuse for having a good season. To see him go to someone like Man Utd like we did with Rooney, and watch him help them win trophy after trophy again would be sickening.
52 Posted 15/03/2016 at 20:45:40
Buying the right player(s) in his place could mean we will be stronger. Every club loses their best players at some time and has to move on. It's what you then put in their place that matters. I just hope he doesn't go to another Premier League club.
Spurs wasted the Bale money but have recovered because of good management that has created a highly effective team with players no better than we have – many not as good. Sadly, on current performance we don't have that management.
53 Posted 15/03/2016 at 21:02:19
I hope he stays, to have such a prolific scorer is a wonderful feeling and one we haven't really known on a regular basis since the days of Cottee!
54 Posted 15/03/2016 at 21:03:02
55 Posted 15/03/2016 at 21:03:19
56 Posted 15/03/2016 at 21:06:17
He's under contract. If we don't want to sell we don't have to... end of!
57 Posted 15/03/2016 at 21:23:53
It's certainly working for the team.
58 Posted 15/03/2016 at 21:25:09
59 Posted 15/03/2016 at 21:59:07
It's up to Moshiri and the manager to show him their ambition by surrounding him with top class players (as well as keeping the ones we already have) who will make his life a lot easier on the pitch. Give him Butland, Goetze or Gundogan and Yarmolenko and I think he'll happily stay with us.
Can you imagine a team like this?
Butland
Coleman
Stones
Funes Mori
Baines
McCarthy
Gundogan
Barkley
Deulofeu
Lukaku
Yarmolenko
Dream team...
60 Posted 15/03/2016 at 22:00:20
61 Posted 15/03/2016 at 22:10:49
PSG with their wealth is my only concern and they can guarantee Champions League football.
62 Posted 15/03/2016 at 22:19:18
63 Posted 15/03/2016 at 22:26:05
64 Posted 15/03/2016 at 22:28:31
65 Posted 15/03/2016 at 00:05:56
Abso-fecking-lutely!
Why have a pop at Inchy here – spit my tea out.
I don't know how old you are and whether you were around for 84-87?
Inchy scored my favourite ever EFC goal: 117th minute, Highbury 1984 (and erm the Oxford goal that started it all).
Yes, Heath in the same breath. He would be terrific with Lukaku in much the same way as he was with Sharpy.
A magical little fella at his best with brill touch and for a tadpole he scored a few headers. A wonderful playing-off-the-big-fella sort of player with pace.
Injuries ruined his time with us at the end of the day nothing else. A very special player and IMO it was utterly inappropriate to write this about him.
We are not saying he is as good as Lukaku, for feck's sake.
Smart fella too. He opened at wine bar in Stoke called Heaths! Probably the only ever wine bar in Stoke.
66 Posted 16/03/2016 at 02:21:28
Actually far far worse things can happen. I am particularly concerned about talk of a breakaway super league of European Clubs – already 4 or 5 English clubs have been in talks with an American investor (we are not one of them). This would completely screw us – worth a whole separate thread.
Some of the big continental teams may start to favour such a league because the Premier League's success is hollowing out the other leagues in Europe. Ajax, Bayern and Juventus really do need to do something to retain their status (or regain their status in the case of Ajax).
67 Posted 16/03/2016 at 03:32:42
Where is the clamour to sign their players? Yet they are top the League playing good footy.
David Ellis, would that mean no more local derbies then? Also, it goes back to my conspiracy theory that the powers that be (Money Men) only want one major team from the city of Liverpool ensuring future generations would most likely become shite fans.
Sad if that ever happens, luckily for me, my son and grandson are born blue, like me.
69 Posted 16/03/2016 at 06:38:35
Great answer from him ..."his first touch can be as bad as it wants, his second touch usually ends up in the net"
I think he has vastly improved his first touch by the way.
70 Posted 16/03/2016 at 09:14:17
71 Posted 16/03/2016 at 09:30:31
We've been woeful in the league two years running now and no amount of money is going to change that if there is no change of manager anyway with further leads me to believe he'll be gone, FA Cup win or not. If Lukaku also has a decent Euros then we can forget it.
We should also learn from the Stones saga where we ended up cutting our nose off to spite our face. Lost out on £37m as well as having an unhappy player who then played well below his normal standards all season – we'd be lucky to get £20m for Stones right now nevermind £37m. If Rom wants to go in the summer, contract or no contract, we should get the highest price for him and move on. At current market rates we could get upwards of £60m!
Can see a massive clear out coming this summer with the likes of: Hibbo, Osman, Mirallas, Gibson, Pienaar, Howard all leaving, before we even mention any of our best players. All I hope for is that if RM is going to be replaced they do it early and allow the new guy enough time to sort the squad out as its going to be a very busy summer either way.
73 Posted 16/03/2016 at 18:01:09
74 Posted 17/03/2016 at 12:43:32
I remember being devastated when we sold Andrei. A year later, Duncan left. It was heartbreaking to a teenager like I was then.
Players come and go, it's just football. We couldn't even hold onto Wayne and he's a Blue!
The only difference now is that we'll rake in a monumental transfer fee AND we now have that once mythical investor!
The team should be stronger in August than it is now. Regardless of whether or not Rom is still here.
Just win us the Cup before you leave!
75 Posted 27/03/2016 at 03:12:09
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1 Posted 15/03/2016 at 00:48:58
That statement alone is a stark departure from the statements made by Martinez regarding John Stones last summer and almost feels as though an offer so huge, it's impossible to turn down, has already been made.
His statements on Lukaku seem to be the start of a PR process to let us all down gently between now and the end of the season, by which time he hopes we'll all believe that his departure was inevitable and a brilliant result for the club.