Martinez: We won't be distracted by Lukaku speculation

, 19 April, 42comments  |  Jump to most recent

Roberto Martinez has refused to be drawn into any discussion over the future of Romelu Lukaku as fresh speculation over his future links him with a possible move to the Bundesliga.

There have been suggestions in Germany that Borussia Dortmund are "more interested than ever" in signing the Belgian striker – Sky Germany have apparently reported that Lukaku was recently shown around BVB's training facility – and could make a move for him this summer, particularly if they qualify for the Champions League.

Martinez was insistent that all the focus is on this week, however, when asked about the talk surrounding his leading scorer at his press conference at Finch Farm today.

"We are in our defining week of the season," the Catalan replied. "If you think we're going to be distracted by any reports, you're mistaken. We're very much focused on what we've got in front of us.

"Romelu has been having a really, really impressive season and it's very important that we all carry on with those standards until the end.

"This week has got nothing to do [with persuading a player like Lukaku has can realise his future ambitions at Everton]. This week has its own meaning and the meaning is that we've been working for 10 months with the highest standards to try and be in a week like this, looking forward to our derby and then, after that, looking forward to a semi-final of the FA Cup.

"You don't earn the right to be in a semi-final of the FA Cup overnight. You have to work really hard, you have to develop a strong mentality and that's what we've done in the last 10 months."

 

Reader Comments (42)

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Ged Simpson
1 Posted 19/04/2016 at 19:14:47
I wouldn't comment on transfer rumour either but not convinced by our glorious 10 months!
Steve Durham
2 Posted 19/04/2016 at 19:27:40
Luxury we could cope without, especially given this "I want Champions League... "would rumble on season after season and he knows he could leave whenever he fancies as there will always be suitors for him – probably £50m+ will be sufficient compensation for a player who turns up when he feels like it (10 games a season).

Such a shame as, when he's on fire, he's unbelievably good.
Don Alexander
3 Posted 19/04/2016 at 19:33:02
"........and that's what we've done in the last 10 months." !!!!!!!!!

Incredible.

Liam Reilly
4 Posted 19/04/2016 at 19:37:57
He really doesn't help himself.

Still lets get behind him and the team; a victory at their place would be a great start towards redemption.

Mark Rankin
5 Posted 19/04/2016 at 19:39:43
He's now the 4th longest serving manager in the Premier League. I like Roberto, he seems like a genuinely nice guy.

Everton as a club – manager, players and supporters have all lost their way a bit over the past couple of years from 'sin miedo' to very 'miedo' but it could be worse, could be Villa. Hope we all find our mojo soon.

Martin Mason
6 Posted 19/04/2016 at 19:48:38
Real slap in the face for Lukaku from RM, only impressive, not even incredible let alone phenomenal. That'll knock 10 million off at least
Eugene Ruane
7 Posted 19/04/2016 at 19:51:25
He said whaaaaat!?

OmG he's gone too fucking far this time, now you must all witness my RAAAAAAGE!!!!!

(cue 376 posts all copied and pasted from a thread 'Martinez needs shooting in the face with a harpoon' from Oct 2015)

Kevin Judge
9 Posted 19/04/2016 at 20:15:34
Martin Mason, yes maybe £10 million of the price he is worth but Martinez paid £28 million for him so he was justified paying that price.

So, with £10 million knocked off he's worth say £55 million.

Still a profit of at least £27 million within 2 years

Enough said. And by the way, he's not even worth £20 million as an all round forward.

Rob Hooton
10 Posted 19/04/2016 at 20:37:21
I thought Lukaku was already distracted, been playing like he's somewhere else for a bit
Eddie Dunn
11 Posted 19/04/2016 at 20:48:44
"Strong mentality" is that what we have all been witnessing? I would hate to see us with a weak mentality!
Tom Bowers
12 Posted 19/04/2016 at 20:49:15
Rom. has proved he can score goals but has suffered of late by the underachieving co-stars, Barkley, Deulofeu, Mirallas and Kone. I think he is wanting away and don't blame him.
Anthony Dwyer
14 Posted 19/04/2016 at 21:55:44
Shame about Rom, plus it may get worse before it gets better.

We have a core of good quality youngsters, half of which may leave before we ever really see the best of them.

Rom has produced the goods baths so much more to give, Ross, and Stones could also leave while they still have a lot more to give.

People will jump all over Rom because he's 22 and already a proven goal scorer, but Stones and Ross are both English so there stock is also incredibly high. Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal are short of quality English kids, only Man Utd and Spurs have players like ours in regards to being English and they won't be selling.

This season was a great opportunity to do a Spurs/Leicester but basically we blew our chance.

Hopefully we can keep some of the good young players together to build for a bright future with a brave talented manager.

We still have Galloway, Browning, Garbutt, Ledson Dowell and others who are English, plus Besic, Funes Mori, Besic etc who have a lot to offer in the near future.

Steve Davies
16 Posted 19/04/2016 at 22:17:11
You have to work really hard in the Premier League, Roberto, the FA Cup is just a handful of matches against teams who play their reserves most of the time. Don't bullshit us.

We know all that matters to you is the cup as you don't do Premier League, do you, Señor. Especially now as you are going to get fired. It worked for Wigan but not for us.

Anthony Dwyer
17 Posted 19/04/2016 at 23:11:54
All this negativity around the club kills me, I know Roberto is to blame but ffs, I'm not even arsed about tomorrow's derby, I'm worried about being shown up at Wembley though.

I really hope this mood changes soon as it's really shit being a blue atm.

Colin Glassar
18 Posted 19/04/2016 at 23:24:21
I'm quite the opposite Anthony. I dreading a humiliating loss tomorrow and being the butt of endless jokes in the media while they (the media) fawn over their new found love – King Klopp.

Losing a semi-final at Wembley would be disappointing; getting battered by that lot tomorrow would be unbearable.

Keith Edmunds
19 Posted 19/04/2016 at 23:28:21
I'm feeling charitable. It must be the language barrier that makes him sound like this.
Tony Hill
20 Posted 19/04/2016 at 23:35:42
Some suggestion that Watford are readying to sack Flores. Shame that these lesser clubs don't have our stability and far-sightedness. How can they ever expect to hit the heights?
Charlie Lloyd
21 Posted 19/04/2016 at 23:39:22
Lukaku – great goal ratio but offers little else. Hard to replace his goals but we may just get a more all round player.

Barkley. – I don't get it. Too many flaws to his game. Reckon he'll stay with us and in his mid-20s will be a squad player.

Some decent players coming through the academy (Galloway, Dowell, Davies) but the others always mentioned out of blind faith.

Ledson – stalled since lifting the trophy as England captain 2 years ago. Loaned to Cambridge, doing okay but it's League 2.

Garbutt – not always first choice at Fulham, doubt he'll carve out a Prem career.

Browning – watched Watmore of Sunderland skin him for the U21s a bit back and seen little else to bank hopes on.

These lads will go the same way as others before them (Green, Lundstram, Hope, Long, Irving, Kissock etc...)

James Flynn
22 Posted 19/04/2016 at 00:03:20
Eugene (7) - C'mon now Brother, you've made your point on this over these last several weeks.


James Power
23 Posted 20/04/2016 at 07:20:47
Agree James, I know it is frustrating Eugene, but this won't go away and each time RM comes out with a comment, people will feel provoked if there is the slightest element of nonsense about it, which, inevitably, there will be. The more people rage, the more it highlights the deficiencies of the current set up, which frustrates me, as it reminds me that something is very wrong.

In a way, I too, would rather not read it, this repetitive but wholly justified outrage, but at the same time I return to check I am not alone, that others see this, this seeming somnambulant procession to Ignominy. This is unfolding, as if in slow motion, over such a long period that people become more enraged as it appears that nothing is being done; and the car rolls ever more slowly towards the precipice.

I tend to keep it to myself, this rage, this howling at the moon, lyncanthropic and bewildered, a poor man's Jack Nicholson, I tear out my greying hair exhausted at the predicament I find my beloved club (and by association, birth and blood, myself) in. Phew... Good luck soldiers for this evening and the rest of the season.

Graham Mockford
25 Posted 20/04/2016 at 08:48:52
James Power #24

I'm glad you cleared up the spelling mistake because up until then your post was making no sense whatsoever.

Les Martin
26 Posted 20/04/2016 at 08:48:57
Rom has kept his end of the bargain, to score lots of goals. Martinez has not, as he has overseen a side that cannot defend, keep a lead, or that is fit and organised. The inevitable will be of no shock when Rom leaves for better things.
Damian Wilde
28 Posted 20/04/2016 at 09:54:22
Yes, the strong mentality that helped us see out the Stoke, Bournemouth, Chelsea, and West Ham games, has seen us rack up the worst home record in our history, and recently draw three on the bounce to poor sides... okay, yeah, fair enough Roberto.

Eugene, you're getting irate about people getting irate... not very congruent. Have a word with the editors for posting the article then? If posted people will communicate their views.

Charlie, agree about Ross. He's another Rodwell. In x amount of years he'll be at a club like Sunderland.


Alan Ross
29 Posted 20/04/2016 at 10:25:15
It seems Martinez is not distracted by anything. He lives in a land inhabited by fairies and elves and only good abounds.
Peter Roberts
30 Posted 20/04/2016 at 11:53:03
Good job Lukaku never used the word "chemistry" in his come and get me plea to the Champions League elite... he may have had to apologise.

BTW – it's a clear as daylight that Lukaku is off. He is having less physical contests – if that was actually possible. He may offer us a glimpse of the "beast" in the semi final before reverting to his Kenwynne Jones lite mode for the remaining league games.

Damian Wilde
31 Posted 20/04/2016 at 12:56:20
Kenwyyne Jones light, love it!!
Martin Mason
32 Posted 20/04/2016 at 13:16:33
I disagree with the negative comments about Lukaku, for me he's a very talented striker who will go right to the top in a good team. That obviously won't be where he is now unfortunately.
Gordon Crawford
33 Posted 20/04/2016 at 13:27:32
We should drop him like a hot potato and go find another striker. Seems like he is stinking the place out with his come and get me pleas.

It's being reported that he wants to go back to Chelsea. Oh yeah and they can offer you Champions League football.

He owes Everton big time in my book.

Dick Fearon
34 Posted 20/04/2016 at 14:11:33
Get off the lad's back!

I can count on one hand the number of decent along-the-ground through balls he has received all season. Criticism should be directed toward Martinez who expects that, before the ball crosses the half-way line, the entire team must have a kick of it.

Gordon Crawford
35 Posted 20/04/2016 at 14:20:38
I agree with you, Dick, regarding the supple he has had this season. It hasn't been good enough and that is the managers fault.

But it seems all Lukaku is interested in, is moving on. To many sound bites coming from him regarding Champions League etc.

If he really wants to leave then we should shove him out the door.

Damian Wilde
36 Posted 20/04/2016 at 15:01:44
Is his laziness and bad attitude Martinez's fault? The lad can score goals, but his all round game is not the best. At times he's 'average'. We should cash in while all the hype surrounds him. He's talented and maybe worth £30 odd million. Never worth £50 million odd, but some may pay it.
Brent Stephens
37 Posted 20/04/2016 at 15:15:55
"At times he's 'average'."

That description fits most of our lads. The rest come out even worse.

Damian Wilde
38 Posted 20/04/2016 at 15:25:15
Barkley of late 'dreadful'.
Peter Roberts
39 Posted 20/04/2016 at 15:28:23
Dick, I can count on 4 hands the amount of times a ball has gone zooming across the 6-yard box and our poor starved of service striker looks like he's running through treacle "trying" to get on the end of it... and then he puts his hands on his head like he was really hungry for it...

Once upon a time we had a striker who would attack one of those grass cutters with a header – these days we have a striker who wont go in there with his feet.

It's called being brave and having a bit of desire, only every now and then we see him display that.

Patrick Carty
40 Posted 20/04/2016 at 16:15:35
Barkley has been shocking for a long time, but I still feel he has it in his locker to be a very good player. I think this is down to the manager, and maybe a change of personell would do the trick.

Lukaku is going to leave, new manager or not.

Eugene Ruane
41 Posted 20/04/2016 at 16:48:19
Patrick - 'Barkley has been shocking for a long time, but I still feel he has it in his locker to be a very good player.'

I agree.

And (in his defence) there's a dead simple question I often ask.

'What is Barkley's position?'

Often people (blues) look confused and answer with 'well...midfield.'

When I get that answer, I respond 'not where does he play, what is his position?'

It's not semantics, I'm genuinely curious.

Because imo, part of the problem re Barkley is that he doesn't know what he's supposed to be doing or where he's supposed to be and consequently, often seems just a yard away from 'the action.'

It seems to me he is a player who would benefit from being told 'see you, you play here - don't worry about the others, let them sort out their positions.'

Would love to see him shoot more (I'd give him a quota, 'I want at least 4 shots a game')

Patrick Carty
42 Posted 20/04/2016 at 16:56:50
Eugune – I think Barkley's best position is an attacking midfielder. I would ditch the two holding midfielder's, play one from your pick of Barry, Besic or McCarthy and play Barkley in a deeper role.

I would love to revert to a simple 4-4-2 again.

Tony Hill
43 Posted 20/04/2016 at 16:57:17
Yup, Ross is presently being wasted but that sort of talent does not disappear. As with others, this poisoned season has done him harm, after a very good start, but he will be fine and will remain ours. He needs someone both to focus him and to release his flair again (though in the latter regard Ross needs to do some of the work himself).
James Power
44 Posted 20/04/2016 at 19:55:58
Graham 25 thank God for that. I was very worried and then I lost my signal, can you imagine the stress I was under? Oh sweet Jesus thank his heavenly father.
Anthony Dwyer
45 Posted 20/04/2016 at 23:22:10
Colin Glassar 18,

Completely got your point, but can't help but feel like what happened tonight was what every blue expected in there own hearts.

I seen our team and was expecting to have a right go, but the fact is we are spineless, we can't defend and we have no guidance from the bench because everyone on there has no right to be at this level.

Red card or not we were destroyed, Lallana should have scored early on and it never stopped, the shite didn't have to step out of 2nd gear.

The game tonight should have been a learning curve for a few, Dowell, Connerly, and Niasse or Brewster.

Others such as Williams, Davies, Galloway and possibly Mason Holgate could have been blooded, along with some experienced players looking to crashgate the semis like Besic, Osman, Pienaar, Kone or who ever.

I suppose it's easy said now, but I did state that this was my opinion on a different thread last week on ToffeeWeb.

We are a shambles of late and I have no idea how Roberto can fix it.

The red shite are the least of our worries, Martinez and Kenwright are the main concerns atm, as they have been for a while now.

David Connor
46 Posted 21/04/2016 at 13:42:45
Get rid of Martinez and we may have a chance of keeping Rom. This is a must because without him we are really up shit creek.

As for Stones, I don't know what all the fuss is about; he is way way overrated. Cash in on him because, at the rate he is declining, we will be lucky to get –15 million this time next year.

Barkley could do with laying off the McDonalds and needs a big size 9 up his arse...

Peter Roberts
47 Posted 22/04/2016 at 10:53:26
Please stay Rom... if we get rid of Roberto Martinez will you stay and stop talking about moving to other clubs like you have done since you arrived here?

If you stay I promise I won't criticise you when you decide to stroll around and offer nothing in many of the games you play. I will ignore the fact that you jump underneath the flight of the ball, get pushed around by smaller players and have the touch of an elephant, just as long as you have the 5 games a season where you look like a world beater....

plllleeeeeeeaaaaaaasssseeeee?


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