Lukaku's long goodbye lacks class

The Belgian's publicly declaration that he has "made his decision" over his future reek of arrogance and are disrespectful to Everton and the fans.

Lyndon Lloyd 23/05/2016 72comments  |  Jump to last

Though we dared to dream after Roberto Martinez’s first season in charge, deep down most of us knew that Everton was always going to be a stepping stone for Romelu Lukaku. Unless, with his help, we were going to break that glass ceiling and qualify for the Champions League within three seasons he was probably going to move on, particularly if he could back up his confidence in his own abilities with a proven goalscoring record.

61 goals in all competitions over three seasons has done that and strengthened the CV that his restless agent Mino Raiola has no doubt been hawking around Europe’s biggest and richest clubs. And in the wake of another failed quest for silverware, as depressing as it is, it seems almost inevitable that Lukaku will be moving on this summer regardless of who succeeds Martinez as Everton manager.

Like all Blues, I lauded Rom’s arrival on a permanent deal in July 2014 and I defended him when he faced criticism for poor form and a lack of goals in the early part of that first season after he was signed for £28m. His ability, as raw as it was, and potential were obvious to most but much was expected of him given that hefty price tag.

In my view things were fairly straightforward. We had waited a very long time for a player capable of scoring 20+ league goals in a season — indeed, no Everton striker has managed it since Gary Lineker 30 years ago — and now we had one if the manager would just play to his strengths and provide him with adequate support.

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It was Martinez’s inflexibility in that regard that ultimately cost him his job and, as Lukaku’s own comments this week suggest — as if it wasn’t already painfully obvious by his demeanour on the field over the past couple of months — contributed to the player’s poor form and inability to surpass the 20-goal milestone. Just two Premier League goals since the turn of the year offer ample explanation for why he dropped well off the blistering pace he set over the first half of the season.

Lukaku’s frustrations are understandable. He was doing his job at one end while the defensive weaknesses and questionable game-management that plagued the Blues for the first two thirds of the campaign were scuppering progress at the other. Having experienced the frustrations of 2014-15 and seen 2015-16 going the same disappointing way as that season, it’s no surprise that were was a divergence between the Belgian’s clearly stated ambitions and Everton’s prospects.

He wants to be playing Champions League football and feels he is ready to do so and that is fair enough but for someone praised for his poise and intelligence, his handling of the situation has been hugely disappointing and, frankly, disrespectful to Everton. Whether he would like to admit it or not, even allowing for how difficult it must have been to be playing under a failed system and in a clearly broken team, he did appear to “down tools” after that memorable two-goal blast against Chelsea in March. And if he didn’t, he at least betrayed a desire not to do anything that might hinder his chances of playing in Euro2016 this summer.

His public comments over the past two international breaks, meanwhile, have irked and hurt Evertonians just as much as his apparent lack of effort on the field. Clearly there is merit in him expressing ambition to the media in his homeland where he has the potential to be a Talisman as Belgium and their golden generation seek to make good on their reputation as one of world football’s best teams by making it to the end of a major tournament.

But there are ways to put across a confidence in your own abilities and your burning desires to be playing Champions League football without openly saying that you see yourself playing for another team by August. Sometimes saying nothing or being deliberately vague is just better diplomacy and, certainly, a better way to treat the fans who have supported you from the moment he arrived.

Football is business but it’s not an ordinary business. You don’t often have the option in the professional game to decide that you no longer want to play for a team and just walk away. Lukaku is contracted to Everton for another three years and will only be able to leave if the club get an acceptable offer for his services. The 23-year-old has said that he won’t make things difficult or hold the Blues to ransom but unless his confident pronouncements suggest a deal has already been worked out, there is a danger it could still go that messy way. It will certainly be a lot harder for him to stay given that he doesn’t even seem willing to wait and see who the new manager will be at Goodison Park before making up his mind.

That is the sad part at the end of the day. It’s easy to say that fans should look at situations like this dispassionately and in the cold light of the realities of business but football, from the supporters’ side — as fickle as they can be — is all emotion, passion and loyalty to the club. From those who have Lukaku’s name and number adorning their replica kit to those who have gleefully sung his name there will be feelings of betrayal when they could just as easily have reluctantly wished him well had he gone about things in a more respectful way.

Evertonian feelings hardening towards a former hero will only make parting with him easier, of course, and the hefty fee he will surely command will help in that regard, too, but you can’t help but feel it all could have been done with a bit more class and a lot less arrogance.

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Charlie Lloyd
1 Posted 23/05/2016 at 18:40:51
Lyndon, that sums the situation up to a tee.

Very disappointing really. He says he knows where he is going to I wonder if he knows the fee that's what we are interested in now.

3 years left on his contract the board need to dig in on this but ultimately get rid.

Gerry Morrison
2 Posted 23/05/2016 at 18:43:41
If he does not want to play for us then let him fuck off, sooner rather than later, and take his agent with him.
Ian Jones
3 Posted 23/05/2016 at 18:53:02
Well if Lukaku ends up at Chelsea, he won't find much Champions League business there mext season.

I would send him out on loan to a PSG type of club. A club with more money than sense. Get them to oay a 10 million loan fee He can play his CL stuff there and then come back to us when we qualify next year or sell him for even more as we will have set the world alight by then.

Alternatively. Cash in now whilst his stock is high

Chris Williams
4 Posted 23/05/2016 at 18:58:07
It is easy to shake your head sadly and say it is the modern way of football these days.

BUT

( shaking head sadly) it is the modern way of football these days.

Nothing to be done about it folks. Just make sure whoever buys him pays through the fucking nose until their pips squeak.

Andy Parsons
5 Posted 23/05/2016 at 19:01:26
Nothing will happen until after the Euro's and the new manager has had a chance to sit down and assess the situation. He may well decide the time isn't right to sell. He might well decide that only an overseas offer of 65m is adequate. No reason why we should make our opponents stronger. At this point, we don't know.
Eric Paul
6 Posted 23/05/2016 at 19:03:54
The new manager whoever it is and Moshiri should get the squad together and tell them the future plans and if anyone doesn't want part of it to put a transfer request in set a price and let them fuck off
Kevin Tully
7 Posted 23/05/2016 at 19:07:02
Sadly, until we start winning trophies or regularly competing in the C.L. players like Lukaku will always view us as a stepping stone, just above the like of West Brom or Swansea.

We like to think of ourselves as a big club, but we've fallen so far behind over the last 20 years it's unbelievable. Didn't Besic say he hadn't even heard of us before Martinez made contact?

Blame who you want for our low profile outside the city, but 20 years of insular decision making & 'people's club' promotion (or non-promotion realistically) have left us as mid-table non entities. None of this excuses Lukaku's poor behaviour, but we desperately need leadership which makes people sit up and take notice of the club again.

It suited Kenwright & Moyes to knock any thoughts of ambition out of the heads of Evertonians, and mediocrity is an extremely difficult mindset to change - let's be honest, most Blues see 6th as success. I'm hoping a waterfront stadium can be the start of us getting back to where we belong.

Brian Williams
8 Posted 23/05/2016 at 19:08:11
If he does go, and I don't believe that it's cast in stone yet as I think Mr Moshiri is one not to be fucked with, I'd rather go with two more mobile forwards and play two up front next season rather than one big target man centre forward.


He's bang out of order though and he probably knows it but doesn't care much.

Chris Wilson
9 Posted 23/05/2016 at 19:10:27
It feels like he's running a passive-aggressive version of the Radzinski "get me out of Everton" playbook. I wonder if in a couple of days we'll start hearing how difficult we (the fans) have been on him; in order to force a break.

Be great if someone within the Everton camp had enough spice to send out a public tweet saying, "Rom. You have three years left on your contract. Shhhhhhh."

Mike Green
10 Posted 23/05/2016 at 19:14:07
Lukaku has never been that consistent for us, just as I had come to the conclusion he was a complete waste of space he picked up and hit a vein of "golden boot" form causing me to eat my words.

Unfortunately this coincided with relegation standard defending and you could see him almost visibly give up. So, ironically, Martinez's refusal to concentrate on the discipline of defending affected our strike-force so much that the whole team went into a tailspin, which ultimately cost him his job. Think on Roberto.

We now have a huge asset who wants out. We have him under contract so are ultimately we in the box seat but it looks like he's gone, and for the right money I'm happy to call it quits.

BUT:

First, we need to appoint a new manager.

Second, it should be his decision whether Lukaku goes or not.

Third, Lukaku goes nowhere until we have identified replacements.

Fourth, there needs to be a club out there that he wants to go to, that wants him at the money we're willing to sell for, which is not a foregone conclusion.

So Rom, all in good time, but quite a few things have to get sorted before you get your dream move so sit down, sit tight and shut up. Please.

Terry Downes
11 Posted 23/05/2016 at 19:15:48
Dont agree at all why sell him just because he wants it ?

Make him see another season out just to prove a point, he was quite happy to sign a 5yr contract make him honour at least 3yrs of it ?

Tony Draper
12 Posted 23/05/2016 at 19:27:03
So the young lad has ambition ?
Brilliant, 'cost I want Everton players with ambition.
I also want players with ambition at Everton.

He's developed at Everton like he couln't possibly have done at chelsea.

However, the club is at a very powerful nexus and he could profit even further from here forward.

We have got:
A FAR bigger wallet now lad
A brand new influence at the VERY top
A serious chance to get you working under a cracking manager
Your contract

What is vital is that we hire a proper Wyatt Earp this time around and not a bloody teaspoon salesman !

Iain Love
13 Posted 23/05/2016 at 19:57:58
I'm a bit confused here , Chelsea loaned him out , then loaned him out , then sold him . The reason although talented he wasn't consistent enough at the top level . Note 2 goals since the turn of the year.

Now the mooted £65m we're asking rules out all but maybe 4 foreign clubs , leaving the 4 champions league teams from here. So that's 8 possible clubs who could afford him of which PSG & Arsenal to me are the only realistic one's . Note 2 goals this year £65m?

I suppose i'm saying I doubt there's many champions league takers for the price we want , and if we don't get what we want then why sell.

Maynard Hanna
14 Posted 23/05/2016 at 20:10:36
Well put Lyndon. Not much more to say. Like many others I am disappointed at the way this most intelligent of modern day footballers has chosen to engineer his departure. Disrespectful.
Jay Harris
15 Posted 23/05/2016 at 20:20:40
Spot on analysis Lyndon.

I just want him gone now.

Listening to his ramblings you can see he was one of the players who broke the team spirit we once had.

If he stood there looking at the trophy at Leicester and thinking what could have been I would suggest he takes a look at the FA cup and reminds himself of the penalty he missed.

Big on ego and low on ability. Unfortunately one of the nouveau riche footballing clan that don't belong in the real world.

Goodbye and good riddance for me.

Scott Goin
16 Posted 23/05/2016 at 20:33:13
I'm sorry that Lukaku feels he needs to move on but I honestly can't blame him. I would probably do the same in his position. Everton simply hasn't been good enough to hold on to a top young talent like Lukaku.

I hope he moves on to another league so I can continue rooting for him. I have zero hard feelings towards the guy. I just wish Everton could have taken their ambitions to the next level. Then maybe Lukaku would have stayed.

With a new manager and a lot of money, maybe Everton will get there soon. It would be kind of funny if Lukaku's new team collapsed while Everton became a big deal.

Eugene Kearney
17 Posted 23/05/2016 at 20:35:09
A great read - and it sums the situation up very well.

Apart from the fact that he...(well, apart from about three other facts)....... what pissed me off reading the last paragraph is the thought of an Everton supporter (especially a kid) who has spent loads on a shirt with Lukaku on the back - and he has to put up now with his "hero's" disrespectful sneaking off, turning his back on the team that allowed him to develop as Tony says in 12.

Au revoir - and get as much money as we can.

Dennis Stevens
18 Posted 23/05/2016 at 20:37:15
It's going to be interesting to see how Lukaku thrives, or doesn't, on the frosty reception he's likely to get from the supporters next season, as I'm not at all sure his anticipated transfer is necessarily going to happen, or at least not in the timeframe that he imagines.
Mike Gaynes
19 Posted 23/05/2016 at 20:42:10
Well said as always, Lyndon.

Does anyone at Everton even care anymore what this overgrown petulant child thinks? Setting himself up as the spokesman for the problems under Roberto is the height of arrogrance when there are true statesmen around, like Barry and Baines, who can provide perspective without insult -- and were never seen to be pouting on on the pitch as Rom was for the past two months.

He's accomplishing something I would have considered impossible after the Chelsea magic show -- souring his own supporters and seeding a lack of regret about his possible departure. And Rom (and his dear old dad) will have a full banquet of ill-advised words to eat should Moshiri and the new manager decide he should stay, because as Lyndon points out this is ultimately not his decision.

Tony Abrahams
20 Posted 23/05/2016 at 20:43:54
Kevin 7, that last paragraph is very good mate. I hope you're right about the new stadium, because we definately need something like this to give us back "our defiance."

He wants to leave, fine, but the fact he seems to have very little respect for us, will one day come back and bite him on the arse, I'm sure.

I really can't get over him saying, that he just stared at the premier Lge trophy, for two minutes, and couldn't concentrate properly on the warm up at Leicester!

I thought seeing something like this before you played, would inspire any player, so his performance that day, is a real indication, that he was one of the players who had given up on the manager, AND THE FANS.

Let him go for the right money, because although it's nice to hear about players with ambition, they are only good for us if they want to play for Everton.

Maybe he will thank us when he leaves?

Erik Dols
21 Posted 23/05/2016 at 20:56:11
I defended him in the past; explaining why he said certain things - both from a cultural point of view as continentals are more direct and from a national team stance where they expect him to say these things. Although I still feel those arguments hold some value even now, I am getting fed up with this. Clearly he and/or his agent are after a move. Now I can understand that from their point of view, we are all disappointed by the last two years and an ambitious fellow like Rom will not wait to see if the third season is the turnaround, but the way they are playing it lacks class. Still, in todays market we should be able to fetch £60m for him which more than doubles our investment.

Be careful Rom, your next move better be a good one.

Ian Bennett
22 Posted 23/05/2016 at 20:57:45
Agree that it was inevitable leaving, but blame Kenwright, Martinez as much as his agent. Woeful performances on the pitch, and a lack of progression has helped push a talent through the door.

The key is to be scouting like Athletici Madrid and Porto. A conveyor belt of top talent, not waiting another 30 years for the next Lineker.

Mike Gaynes
23 Posted 23/05/2016 at 21:05:43
Ian Bennett, I'd say it is by no means inevitable that he's leaving. That decision will be made by Moshiri, of whom we know very little, and by a new manager who hasn't even been chosen yet. If they decide he stays, he stays. And given the valuation the club has put on him, and his failure (aside from the Cup quarters against Chelsea) to measure up to that valuation since the first of the year, it wouldn't surprise me if the market for him is considerably cooler than 65M and they decide to keep him.
Colin Glassar
24 Posted 23/05/2016 at 21:07:36
I wonder if these guys who have this "burning ambition" to play in the CL would accept an offer from a regular CL club like Celtic where they would be on about £15-20k p/w?
Dennis Stevens
25 Posted 23/05/2016 at 21:11:36
Perhaps we should send him out on loan, Colin. That'd lend a little perspective to his utterances.
Colin Glassar
26 Posted 23/05/2016 at 21:18:31
Clubs have regained a lot more control in recent years Dennis. Long gone are the Wild West days of the nineties and noughties when players ripped up their contracts like they were bog roll and swapped clubs like Liz Taylor changed hubbies.

We could indeed send him out on loan to Accrington Stanley or bench him, even worse, make him play with academy kids. Sod him, he's under contract and he goes when we want him to go and under our terms!!

Chris James
27 Posted 23/05/2016 at 21:24:31
This situation pretty much sums up modern football and the mercenary nature of 'professional' (and I use the word loosely) players.

We will definitely miss Lukaku's goal threat when he does go, but I think he'll end up missing us just as much in the long term. Romelu is a talent definitely, but he's far from irreplaceable and far from being the finished article and its very unlikely he'll be given as much patience for his poor control, missed chances, media mouthing off or general disinterest when the world isn't going his way elsewhere.

We've already seen that he didn't get a sustained run at Chelsea and he wasn't the automatic first choice in the Belgian team either at previous tournaments. Not sure what has changed in the interim aside from the price tag (certainly isn't his first touch).

Ian Bennett
28 Posted 23/05/2016 at 21:25:38
Mike - I do truly hope that both Stones and Lukaku stay, as it will prove we have a top chairman and manager as you say - but given our prior ability to keep suitors away in the long term, I doubt it.

Chinese clubs, United, City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs, West Ham, PSG, Bayern, us, and even Leicester are going to be spending big. £15m valued players will be going for double. We might just recover that Niasse money...

Kunal Desai
29 Posted 23/05/2016 at 21:46:14
This guy thinks he's billy big boots. He can get away with scoring 20+ goals for a side like WBA and Everton, but it's a totally different ball game if your going to lead the line at United or another elite club. The pressure will certainly be on him, and he'll be kicked out even before he blinks if he thinks he can get away without scoring in 11 consecutive matches. The scrutiny he will come under will be huge and presumably with a sizable transfer fee. Let's see if he can handle it, we'll see then how many soundbites him and his dad then make.
Guy Hastings
30 Posted 23/05/2016 at 21:47:15
I thought Charles I had divine right issues but he'd give a tip of the crown to Lukaku's old man.
Clive Lewis
31 Posted 23/05/2016 at 21:58:49
His handling of the situation is akin to his control of the ball. He is a good striker however he seems to never fully be able to control a football. His pace is good and his strength. His ability to score is good at times other times he requires several attempts to score. As a holding striker he is abysmal mostly. In fact if it wasn't for his strike rate he is a poor man's centre forward. His quality passing is really mostly no existent. When you compare him to other centre forwards 28 million looks a bit overpriced. I would prefer to pay 1 million for a Fleetwood striker with potential. I think he has been told he is fantastic too many times by his father, and he believes this. I think he would struggle at Real or Barca for this very reasons stated. He can be good when things bounce right of his ankles. But as a top striker I would look elsewhere.

Please don't tell anyone because I think he is worth 50 million. Sssshhh.

Ian Burns
32 Posted 23/05/2016 at 22:13:16
You through me a dummy there Lyndon I came on to read your promised report on De Boer!

Nevertheless you have summed up the Lukaku situation for Evertonians perfectly. I for one will be sorry to see him (and Stones) leave. This situation could have been remedied had this ineffective board taken action earlier with regards to the manager, even if Unsy and JR took control for the latter part of the season, who knows what might have been.

It remains however, that there is such a lack of respect for EFC and more importantly we supporters, that it would probably be very difficult for Lukaku to remain anyway, so it's a question of the fee; a new manager and a replacement or two. So we move on.


Oliver Molloy
33 Posted 23/05/2016 at 22:15:40
Can you imagine Lukaku waving his hands all over the place like we have become accustomed to when HE lost the ball , gave a rubbish pass or whatever.......

if there was a Roy Keane , Patrick Vierra, dare I say it Carragher, Gerard type character in the team.. can't wait to see him getting his bollocks chewed by a strong manager and his leader on the field.

Paul Mackie
34 Posted 23/05/2016 at 22:28:29
I'd like to see us appoint a real hard ass of a manager who tells Lukaku he's going nowhere.
Matt Woods
35 Posted 23/05/2016 at 22:32:59
Excellent balance as always Lyndon. What you touched on is the critical difference between people in football and those of us who are 'merely' fans. Football from the inside is a cold ruthless capitalist business. It has attracted the very worst types of parasites who are feeding off this global multi billion ever growing industry. It has grown into a grotesque phenomenon that has captured the hearts of billions across the planet who are drawn to its powerful marketing.
For the match going fan in particular football has always been about emotion. It's a battle of tribes and it is filled with passion. To put it in other words football and going the match is a class A drug that is very difficult to give up its a way of life and your club is in your soul.

Now, from Lukaku's point of view as in football. He has been honest from the start stating his intention of wanting CL football. He has done his job regarding scoring goals, his scoring record really is the only measure for that. Unfortunately the team could not defend due to Senor Martinez and his inflexible ways so we ultimately failed to match both his performance and ambition.

From a fans view Romelu was afforded hero worship from the start. He has been given a platform at Everton to develop as a player and had the chance to become a legend at the club. Oh, and paid handsomely for the privilege of playing for the greatest club on earth!

The bottom line is that he has disrespected Everton by sulking, mouthing off and believing basically that he is bigger than the club. That of course is sacrilege. As Lyndon put so well it could have all been different.

Personally I think we have little choice but to cash in. However I have a feeling that not many suitors will be willing to pay what we demand. As good as Lukaku can be he will never be the player he thinks he is. Certainly his father knows this as he has stated he could cope in Italy with the defending there.

The grass isn't always greener big man. Say goodbye to paradise.

Barry McNally
36 Posted 23/05/2016 at 22:39:37
Get Simeone in - put some manners on Lukaku. He may feel he's done all he can at Atlético win or lose on Saturday - If you don't ask you won't get.
Oliver Molloy
37 Posted 23/05/2016 at 22:41:43
Matt,
If you are correct and Everton do not get in and around what they value Lukaku at , I would think he won't get his wish to leave.
Gerry Quinn
38 Posted 23/05/2016 at 22:42:22
I have more respect for Victor Anichebe - at least HE could control a ball!
Nigel Gregson
39 Posted 23/05/2016 at 22:48:05
Ironically accommodating these brats probably caused the rift between the team and the manager in the first place. Lukaku on penalty duty - clearly there to inflate his goal tally and ego (when Leighton should have been kicking us to the finals). Turning down Dmitri Payet so that Ross could be developed. Not dropping Stones even after the worst stinkers. Spare the rod and this is what happens to the football kids.

The Roberto blueprint is now dead, and the kids will also go - Stones and Gerri will follow Rom, lets hope for enough money to buy us a stadium.

Kieran Kinsella
40 Posted 23/05/2016 at 23:01:03
Colin

I don't know about the balance of power. When Moyes was at Man U he had Rio Ferdinand sulking about the crisp machine and he even publicly listed that as a reason why Moyes "lost the team." Then we had John Terry giving World Cup press conferences to undermine Fabio cause he kept them "in prison" at a luxury hotel, after we'd been told that McLaren failed cause he was effectively taking instructions from players. Van Gaal lost the team cause the lazy didn't want to read his emails. Mourinho lost the Chelsea team for reasons unknown and now we have RM. seems to me the players have no respect any more and simply don't turn up if the manager puts any type of expectation of professionalism on them.

Mark Fitzgerald
41 Posted 23/05/2016 at 23:06:19
Already resigned to losing Lukaku this summer but not as gutted as I should be when a 20 goal a season forward is lost.
The current attitude that he's adopted is obviously not going to endear him to any of us but truth be told he's not quite as good as he thinks he is. Yes he's a goalscorer, and better than any we've had for some time. Yes, he's still young and there may be a lot more untapped potential (though that line is starting to wear thin.
But I'm still staggered by his poor first touch which doesn't seem to have improved over time. I find that, for his size & physique, he doesn't dominate players either on the deck or in the air. And some games, he just doesn't turn up.
If we get the right offer (read that as mega bucks) then I will be optimistic that our new manager (whoever that may be) will use the funds to find a more than adequate replacement (Lacazette, Icardi, Slimani, etc.) who may just turn out to be a better player than the one we lost.
Ste Traverse
42 Posted 23/05/2016 at 23:12:03
Get rid of him after the Euros, not before, as if he has a great tournament we will get a higher price for him.
Colin Glassar
43 Posted 23/05/2016 at 23:14:10
Kieran, I'm not saying they (players) don't continue to cause problems, of course they do. What I'm saying is now its more difficult for players to just up sticks and say, "I'm off".

We've seen recent cases like Odemwinge, Berahino, Wanyama and our very own John Stones being told to do one when they've fancied a move to "bigger" clubs.Link

Derek Thomas
44 Posted 24/05/2016 at 01:23:00
It has been a Long Goodbye Lyndon and with only 2 goals since whenever, he's been playing in a Big Sleep, time to say Farewell My Lovely, biff him out of The High Window and make sure we get at least double the cost of the Brasher Doubloon we laid out...Before the Euro's, as I don't think Belgium (first up vs Italy) or Lukaku will cover themselves in much glory.
Eddie Dunn
45 Posted 24/05/2016 at 08:17:01
I have already given my verdict on him on another thread, but one thing to consider is that no other top strikers spring to mind with his physique. The nearest is Bony, and he is perhaps not so tall ,and even heavier.
Most top strikers possess speed and the best also have good touch and a good engine.
If you are a big lump, then you simply can't run all game, closing space on defenders, chasing balls down the channels etc.
I think he will improve, and prove to be an effective player, utilising his ability and working on his flaws.
However the English League is quick and the best strikers of this season are guys who can run all day.

Bony has faded at Man City, who play more skillful quick-footed players ahead of him.
The battering ram needs quick support from midfield or good service from the wings. Without this he must conjure something for himself, and Rom could only do this on the odd occasion.
In my opinion, he will not become the great striker we all hoped he would be.

Laurie Hartley
46 Posted 24/05/2016 at 10:49:09
I was very upset about the prospect of us loosing John Stones to Chelsea this time last year. This year I don't feel the same way about Romelu Lukaku's apparent desire for a move.

The difference for me is that the Premier League champions put three bids in for Stones resulting in him putting in a transfer request – disappointing but not really surprising. With Lukaku this year, no-one has come in for him and yet he appears to be, with his father and agent, engineering a move.

Despite his poor form this season, my gut feeling is that Stones, if he goes, will be harder to replace than Lukaku. As with all things – time will tell.

Either way, I am much more excited about the prospect of us getting a great new manager and the best stadium in England on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey.

Jim Lloyd
47 Posted 24/05/2016 at 19:26:27
I think that he is being direspectful to Everton, as is his father. What is now clear though, is that he wants away. Come the new manager, he can decide how to treat the issue. He might want to keep him and Rom might change his view, who knows.

It might be that he wants away, no matter what. If that's the case, we are in a much better position than we've been for decades and decades. We have no need to sell, unless we get the price we think he's worth.

He might have to sit and sulk on the bench, or he might do what Suarez did. Pull his tripes out and virtually hand his team the Premiership.

Either way, I'm not that bothered. Now John Stones....I think the lad is top class and I hope he stays.

Damian Wilde
48 Posted 24/05/2016 at 23:42:47
Chris:

"Rom. You have three years left on your contract. Shhhhhhh."

Love it.

It would be great if our new manager when asked about Rom leaving replied:

"I say when he leaves; not him, his father or his agent. Rom should not speak, his prick of a father should not speak and his ballbag agent should not speak, infact they need to ask permission to speak like Baldrick in Blackadder IV. I am the only person who speaks. If the bellend says another word he will see out his days cleaning bogs in maccies. Any more questions gentlemen of the media?"

Andy Crooks
49 Posted 24/05/2016 at 23:56:45
Lyndon, there are some good Premier League players who have loads of class. Sadly, there are some who have no idea about class, or integrity, or obligation or fuck all really.
Darren Hind
50 Posted 25/05/2016 at 06:27:36
Just go.

I can count on one hand the number of players who have left us in the past 50 years and gone on to become better players

Steve Jones
51 Posted 25/05/2016 at 16:01:15
I found it interesting Lukaku blamed his poor goals return in the second part of the season on his team mates. Those same team mates would be well within their rights to blame Lukaku for not getting to the FA Cup final, as well as missing a very poor almost half hearted penalty he missed about half a dozen clear cut chances. Another example of Lukaku not being up to it on the big stage.

Lukaku is not the finished article, aside from his poor first touch he doesn't win enough in the air (He should be scoring far more headers), he doesn't get into positions on the chance a loose ball will come his way and as Deulofeu has highlighted in the past he doesn't get to the front post often enough or quick enough.

Lukaku needs to improve on these and his overall work rate to get to the next level and be a truly world class striker. At the same time obviously we'd miss him and I'd like to see him work with a manager that would play to his strengths.


John Wilson
52 Posted 25/05/2016 at 22:42:10
Mourinho had Lukaku taped.
He sold us an incompetent fraud who cannot dribble or pass, nor head the ball to hold play till someone qualified comes along who knows how to lead! I'll be happy like Marc Wilmots was to get shut of him before next season. Good riddance!
Tom Bowers
53 Posted 25/05/2016 at 22:58:55
John Wilson you got it wrong. Rom scored the best F.A. cup goal this season and was there a lot of dribbling involved against non to shabby defenders ?
Okay he ain't no George Best but only Messi can boast to being good dribbler these days.
Ian Jones
54 Posted 26/05/2016 at 18:52:13
Darren @ 50. Not questioning your comment or judgement but which players would you be able to count on the one hand. Am intrigued.

I have Rooney. I will give you that one. Possibly McMahon!

They certainly had the opportunity to win more. Whether they were better players for moving is debatable as the talent was always there. Just not an option with us

Graham Mockford
55 Posted 26/05/2016 at 19:06:35
Darren #50

Let me give you six, but it's a struggle.

Bobby Collins
Mike Newell
Marco Matterazi
Wayne Rooney
Gary Speed
John Ruddy

Colin Glassar
56 Posted 26/05/2016 at 19:13:32
David Johnson
Steve McMahon
Dier
Mustaphi

Just off the top of me head

Ian Jones
57 Posted 26/05/2016 at 19:21:14
Do we include

Arteta
Barmby :)

Mark Frere
58 Posted 26/05/2016 at 19:21:56
Dacourt
Abel Xavier

Add those to the list.

Mark Frere
59 Posted 26/05/2016 at 19:28:08
Richard Dunne and Gavin McCann as well. Can't think of any more.
Gary Ashworth
60 Posted 27/05/2016 at 11:55:37
Ian #3 - I wouldn't look to loan him out. I'm annoyed at his current attitude and disrespect to the club. I want players at the club who want to play for the club, otherwise get rid. I'm worried he will underperform at the European Championships (because we all know he is highly inconsistent) and this will reduce his valuation. If we capitalise on his current valuation (although £65m is a tad ridiculous) we can certainly buy a high calibre replacement. Sending him out on loan is also a risk, if he loses form then his valuation will drop even further.

The thing Lukaku forgets is that he was Everton's best option (only option) going forward, so his inconsistency was tolerated due to lack of options. Chelsea, United, PSG, B Munich, etc all have options - his inconsistency would see him warming the bench. Let's no forget he WAS at Chelsea and couldn't break into the starting XI. Maybe Mourinho didn't feel he was good enough or maybe he didn't like his attitude? We are all now seeing a different side to Lukaku and his attitude stinks.

He wants to win titles and play Champions League football, fair enough, we want a fee worthy of a title winning, Champions League player.

Mike McLoughlin
62 Posted 27/05/2016 at 18:10:39
Find it so annoying the way the press report the Lukaku situation. Man Utd this, Man City that. Then Conte demands this striker, Mouriho wants Lukaku. Not one mention that Everton football club hold the contract for Lukaku. Now I know contracts are not worth that much these days, but wouldn't it be great if we dug in, just to show Lukaku who is in charge. I know the likelihood is we sell him for a decent profit. It still doesn't change the fact we always get poor press reports.
Ian Riley
64 Posted 28/05/2016 at 13:26:09
This is exactly what the agent wants. Lukaku talking crap every five minutes and Everton sell him on the cheap to get rid. £60 million or your going nowhere. Sorry, I have forgotten who we were competing with two years ago for his signature? Paid nearly £30 million with a salary of seventy thousand pounds a week and more.

Show a little decency and respect to Everton football club. I only hope football in the top flight comes into the real world one day. The appalling behaviour of some agents and players to make money is shameful when fans go without to support their club.

Trevor Powell
65 Posted 28/05/2016 at 18:10:00
I repeat, when EFC have a player they do not want to sell but is agitating and running his mouth then that player should only be allowed to leave with a transfer request. It cost Rooney, Fellaini their signing on fees and Lukaku's should be around £6million inour pocket and not his, his dysfunctional father and his money grabbing agent!
Loko Sanchez
66 Posted 29/05/2016 at 13:23:34
Was he really that good? He had no competition for the last 3 years. None. He had Kone and then Niasse. Yes, he bang in goals because we had no other forwards. In all honesty, I am not really bothered if he goes. It's time we got two good centre-forwards for £60 million.
Barry Jones
67 Posted 31/05/2016 at 18:24:13
Time to move in for Wilfried Bony. A far better player than Lukaku who was never given a chance by City, who like to collect players like trinkets. I am sure that he is suitably devalued now and ripe for the picking. We just need a manager who can restore him to full confidence.
Jim Bailey
68 Posted 31/05/2016 at 18:29:33
Barry@67
Nooooooo!
Barry Jones
69 Posted 31/05/2016 at 19:07:16
He was a quality player at Swansea Jim. He had everything a striker needs. Two good feet, fabulous ball striker, mobile, plays equally well running at players or with his back to goal, good in the air, good awareness of team mates.

Going to City and hardly starting a game will have a detrimental effect on a player, especially confidence. I feel that if he was in a team where he was a regular starter, with a good coach, he would be successful once again.

Barry Jones
70 Posted 31/05/2016 at 19:10:39
Or we could prize away Lewandowksi........:)
Eric Holland
71 Posted 31/05/2016 at 19:43:39
Graham #55 what about Lescott, he won the prem...
Jeffers errr maybe not...
Tony Draper
72 Posted 31/05/2016 at 19:55:48
Trevor @65.
I'd take your sentiment a stride further.

When a player, relative, agent expresses the "desire to move on" , we should already have a STFU clause in place.

So they automatically get a 25% reduction in their weekly trouserage, PLUS it counts as a transfer request BUT trebles their release value.

Overpaid princesses! (Why oh why does anyone ever state "Mickey McKnobhead earns £XX,xxx per week at Dickhead United"? They DO NOT EARN! They get paid! NOT THE FUCKIN' SAME!)

Jay Harris
73 Posted 31/05/2016 at 22:52:19
Barry,
I rate Bony a lot better than he has been doing at City but do not believe he is the answer.

It is becoming more of a young mans game now and with speed and workrate imperative I do not think Bony is right for us.

Barry Jones
74 Posted 01/06/2016 at 02:55:39
You could be right Jay, but the bottom line is that I believe that there are many good options out there at reasonable prices and better value than what we have now. I feel that Lukaku is way over rated and way over priced, which is a good thing for us.

We need to cash in and look for what is suitable for Everton. I have to admit that I like forwards who are mobile, quick and with a good work rate, in the mould of Suarez, Aguero or even Ian Rush. We need to get Everton back to a place where team spirit and camaraderie mean something, and not the "me, myself and I" mentality. People may bash Moyes for his coaching abilities but his philosophy in this regard was spot on.


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