Lukaku to Spurs

[bluestevon]

Stuff like this bring my hopes of him signing permanently crashing back to reality. Definitely don't want to stay here even if we get 4th imo.

Errrm why exactly? nothing their to suggest in the slightest that he doesn't see himself here next season mate

 

[Baines' left foot]

Interview in the echo
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...ews/romelu-lukaku-insists-hes-everton-6944043
If one player has signalled the way forward for Everton FC lately it’s Romelu Lukaku.

And it wasn’t just with his hand gesture to the bench, after the blistering goal against Arsenal that helped send the Blues to within a point of the Champions League qualifying places on Sunday. The powerful loan striker held four fingers aloft before leaping onto delighted manager Roberto Martinez , in a show of solidarity to the man he credits with making him a better player.

“It meant fourth,” says the 20-year-old as we discuss his spontaneous celebration. “For me that’s my ambition, that’s why I play football now – to make history and leave my mark wherever I go. “At this moment that’s my drive. I’m a fierce competitor and I want to win every game on the run in.

“I’ve said since I came back from my injury I’ll do everything that I can to help the club qualify for the Champions League and do well in the Cup.“We didn’t succeed in winning the cup but in the league I think we’re all good.”

And even though his latest strike against the Gunners moved him to within three of his 17-goal haul on loan at West Brom last term, and more importantly left him capable of bagging more Premier goals than any other Everton striker, he insists individual plaudits are not his focus.

“I want to leave my mark in so many ways but ending in fourth would be the main one,” he says. “I play football to win and I say in every interview I’ve done I focus more on winning than scoring goals.“Scoring goals comes as part of that because you need goals to win games and that’s my job. But the focus is winning games because if I’m only set on scoring I might be happy if I scored but we don’t win and that’s never good.

“Football is a team sport and there are 18 people involved on a match day, 25 in the senior squad. You need to think about your team-mates and the fans in the stadium. “That’s why ending fourth would mean a lot. I would have pushed myself to another level and reached a higher level than last year.”

Everton fans have taken the big front man to their hearts and would love to see him become a permanent signing in the summer, but with the prospect of a World Cup on the horizon and still being contracted to Chelsea, Lukaku is as yet undecided on his future.

“I’m trying not to look too far ahead for now,” he explains. “I’m still two years under contract at one of the biggest clubs in the world. “This is a team that is growing and for me I just want to help Everton instead of thinking about myself and the next step. “There are so many things on the horizon like big games against Man United and City, then the World Cup, so I have to give it a place in my head but not focus on it. For now it’s just helping Everton finish fourth and then we’ll see.”

One thing is certain, Lukaku has enjoyed working with Everton’s bright young manager, and he made that clear with his celebration on Sunday. “I appreciate the work everyone has done with me but on Sunday I just wanted to celebrate with him because we had been talking a lot about that game,” he says. “I was convinced we could do something against Arsenal. We knew if we won a couple of games in a row that Arsenal would drop points somewhere and on Sunday I saw the desire and ambition in my team-mates. “I play with those things but when you play in a team that all share those qualities you excel. That’s why I was so happy.”

Lukaku reveals how he felt a debt to the Blues after they allowed him to return home while he recuperated from the ankle injury which threatened to derail his loan spell.

“I spent a month in Belgium doing rehab while I was out and I kept thinking I need to make an impact when I come back,” he says as he recalls his mindset after the painful set-back he suffered during the catastrophic Anfield derby in January. “I think since I’ve returned I’ve played far better than before at the start of the season.
“I feel fitter, stronger and my body is now used to playing 90 minutes consistently which is important because at one point I was running out. “Just before my injury I was running out of fuel and then the injury came along which was bad luck. “It set me back to be fair. It was unfortunate but in the end it helped. The medical staff sent me back home to Antwerp where I could do my rehab close to my parents’ house.

“I was at a place called Move To Cure and worked hard with a physio called Lieven Maesschalck who I want to thank because it made a big difference.” Lukaku recalls a conversation with Martinez shortly after he returned to Finch Farm, when he signalled his intent to the Toffees boss. “Then when I got back I had one conversation with the manager and I said it clearly: ‘I’ll make a difference to the team now’,” he says. “I’ll do everything within my capabilities to help this team. From then there was 10 days when I trained twice a day, and nobody was pushing me, but I did it for myself with the physical coach.

“I played against Arsenal (in the FA Cup) and started but I didn’t play too well. I scored but I didn’t play too well and we didn’t win. “After that though I began to pick up momentum. I think I’ve only played badly once since then. I’m reaching the standards I want to reach and I was getting there in March.”

I wish I was half as focused as at 20 than he is. In fact, I wish I was half as focused now as he is. I've got no doubt he's going to be one of the best strikers in the world. We simply have to sign him if it's possible.

 

[LinekersLegs]

Stuff like this bring my hopes of him signing permanently crashing back to reality. Definitely don't want to stay here even if we get 4th imo.

That "I want to leave my mark" comment sounded a little like Martinez's "leave good memories" when discussing the temporary nature of loanees. The suggestion was that he didn't see himself being here to make a mark next season.

But there are lots of things that can happen during the summer, he would have been unlikely to say he would be at Everton at this time last year and yet here he is.

The really positive thing I took from the article is that he is going to work his bollocks off to get us 4th and that he is confident we can do it.

 

[bluestevon]

I wish I was half as focused as at 20 than he is. In fact, I wish I was half as focused now as he is. I've got no doubt he's going to be one of the best strikers in the world. We simply have to sign him if it's possible.

Spot on mate, I'd go as far as saying if we can or we fail to secure Lukaku could determine if we become a genuine title contender with consistent top 4 finishes, of if we will be always be on the outside trying to occasionally fight for top 4 when a few of the others have a bad year but generally being in the eufa places

 

[bluestevon]

That "I want to leave my mark" comment sounded a little like Martinez's "leave good memories" when discussing the temporary nature of loanees. The suggestion was that he didn't see himself being here to make a mark next season.

But there are lots of things that can happen during the summer, he would have been unlikely to say he would be at Everton at this time last year and yet here he is.

The really positive thing I took from the article is that he is going to work his bollocks off to get us 4th and that he is confident we can do it.

Could be interpreted as make a mark so that next season he has set a goal he wishes to better mate, with his character you can see that being a personal goal he sets himself

Plus Martinez, Mourinho and Lukaku and his agent are all pretty much singing of the same him-sheet atm, very orchestrated their responses i think

 

[Baines' left foot]

Spot on mate, I'd go as far as saying if we can or we fail to secure Lukaku could determine if we become a genuine title contender with consistent top 4 finishes, of if we will be always be on the outside trying to occasionally fight for top 4 when a few of the others have a bad year but generally being in the eufa places

I don't think that hinges on signing Lukaku, but it'd certainly be a big help. He'd be expensive if we even have any chance of signing him but I think it'd be hard to find a player of similar value when taking ability, potential and price in to account.

 

[LinekersLegs]

I wish I was half as focused as at 20 than he is. In fact, I wish I was half as focused now as he is. I've got no doubt he's going to be one of the best strikers in the world. We simply have to sign him if it's possible.

Agree, he has that work ethic and drive for success that seperates the very good from the great. Reminds me a bit of Ronaldo's focus but thankfully a better team player.

Hope the dissertation is going OK

 

[Baines' left foot]

Agree, he has that work ethic and drive for success that seperates the very good from the great. Reminds me a bit of Ronaldo's fouc but thankfully a better team player.

Hope the dissertation is going OK

Indeed. You're spot on with the Ronaldo comparison too I think.

Ha, cheers. It's going okay but it's in for Friday so it'll be done with soon anyway.

 

[bluestevon]

I don't think that hinges on signing Lukaku, but it'd certainly be a big help. He'd be expensive if we even have any chance of signing him but I think it'd be hard to find a player of similar value when taking ability, potential and price in to account.

Maybe doesn't fully dictate the future mate, but having a world class forward makes so much of a difference it will make the job a huge amount more difficult should he leave.

 

[LinekersLegs]

Could be interpreted as make a mark so that next season he has set a goal he wishes to better mate, with his character you can see that being a personal goal he sets himself

Plus Martinez, Mourinho and Lukaku and his agent are all pretty much singing of the same him-sheet atm, very orchestrated their responses i think

I so hope so mate, I so hope so.

I think the bloom is off the Chelsea rose for him but tbh I doubt he knows himself what he is doing next year, it's dependant on so many things outside his control.

 

[Baines' left foot]

Maybe doesn't fully dictate the future mate, but having a world class forward makes so much of a difference it will make the job a huge amount more difficult should he leave.

I completely agree mate. I think in any case we'll have a better squad next season than this season though, but a top class striker makes all the difference, as we've seen.

 

[LinekersLegs]

Indeed. You're spot on with the Ronaldo comparison too I think.

Ha, cheers. It's going okay but it's in for Friday so it'll be done with soon anyway.

Enjoy the Friday night celebrations!

 

[Darth Toffeeman]

Stuff like this bring my hopes of him signing permanently crashing back to reality. Definitely don't want to stay here even if we get 4th imo.

Yes it does appear that he is talking as if he doesn't see himself here long term.

My biggest worry is that 4th doesn't guarantee CL. It gives us a playoff. Like last time we didn't invest ahead of the Villarreal game as the money doesn't come in till you have secured the group stage.

I just hope he sees his future here but it is a long shot and then some.

 

[bluestevon]

Yes it does appear that he is talking as if he doesn't see himself here long term.

My biggest worry is that 4th doesn't guarantee CL. It gives us a playoff. Like last time we didn't invest ahead of the Villarreal game as the money doesn't come in till you have secured the group stage.

I just hope he sees his future here but it is a long shot and then some.

If not at us then where would he end up then mate, given what we know about his ambitions to be playing champions league and to be a guaranteed starter as well as the fee of around 20m he will cost?

 

[Del]

Honestly lad the chances of signing him is very very slim

Just enjoy the monster whilst he is here