I do wonder if our bluff has been called a little bit regarding Lukaku. We placed a 65 million fee on his head which looked exorbitant and quite laughable given a lot of his performances at the Euro's. In part due to his antics I think we probably upped that to 75 million. I think this was to put Rom in his place.
For whatever reason it looks as if Chelsea may well get close to calling our bluff and getting very close to those figures. It smacks of a panic buy in all honesty, with growing discontent at their lack of activity, fears they are being left behind by United/City and a new manager looking to make a mark while struggling to finalise deals. A Chelsea ST holder I speak to says he wants 2 up top.
I think it's left us in a quandary. In all honesty I am not sure many people would be gutted if we lost Lukaku for circa 70 million. It wouldn't feel like Lescott, Rooney or even the Stones saga last season. His first touch is poor but I think you can work around that to a point if he used his physicality better. It's more that he has too many bad games for me. I remember Lampard saying judge a footballer on his bad games not his good games as most weeks you are not having a stand out performance.
Lukaku really struggles in that regard. He was awful for 10 games last season and had games for Belguim where he was very ordinary. People may say with Everton he lost faith with the manager. However do premium level 75 million centre forwards let their performance drop to that extent over being a bit unhappy? I worry about his mental state which is critical to be a top player. Compare him to Suarez (as the fees are in the same bracket though we look likely to get more) even if it's not happening for him in front of goal he still does a lot for the team on a bad day. The same for most top players Rooney, Shearer, Ronaldo even on a bad day they still contribute.
This is the rub though. I think the board would be happy to keep Lukaku to make a statement however I think the manager may be quite au fait with him leaving. We have almost come full circle. We had a manager Moyes who was very reluctant to lose players and Martinez also seemed unwilling to lose young players. Koeman seems cut from a different cloth. Lots of players left Southampton and it never seemed to overly worry him. I think he has very high expectations from a player and if they are not interested they can go. I think he will talk to Rom, but if there's any sign he will sulk like last season I expect Koeman will volley him out personally.
When Lallana left he went and got Mane. When Schneiderlin left he got Claissie. For Shaw see Bertrand, for Chambers see Clyne, Lambert > Pelle. He seems happy to trade and generally trade upwards if the player wants to go.
I agree with everything
@The Esk says in that the board won't want to sell him. He is obviously very sources up. I think we have gone full circle a bit though. Almost from managers who were reluctant to trade with a board who compelled them too, to a situation now where the board may not wish too but a manager who is quite calm with that.
I think the Lukaku situation is fluid. He may go and for the fees quoted I would be quite content. The key will be which Lukaku we get. The one who was on for 30+ goals for 2/3's of last season or the petulant lad who finished last season because of a supposed grievance he faces. I agree with everyone saying replacing 18 goals will be hard, but if he is not switched on and happy he won't score 18 goals.
This will be unpopular but if we can get in 2-3 from Long, Benteke, Bony, Berahino or Lacazette it would give us a balance we lack. I think all of the names could improve under Koeman.
DOES HE IMPROVE?
