Romelu Lukaku says that if he continues to develop as a player the way he believes he can he will more than justify the record transfer fee Everton paid for him last summer.
The 21-year-old followed up an impressive loan spell with West Bromwich Albion in 2012-13 where he scored 17 goals with another 15 on loan with the Toffees last season before making his £28m switch from Chelsea.
Much has been expected of Lukaku but with Everton struggling to replicate the form that took them to within touching distance of Champions League qualification in Roberto Martinez's first season in charge, the Belgian international has battled to meet high expectations and has scored just seven Premier League goals so far.
He partially blames his less-than-stellar form this season on poor preparation after the World Cup and an early season toe injury but he also cites worries over his father's health. He also rejects suggestions that the Blues paid too much for him, though, saying he will be worth a lot more in years to come. "After the World Cup negotiations dragged on my transfer. The season was over, but I did not know where I was going to play."
"And then when I was sure, there was only one week left before the season started. Some said I was suffering from pressure after my transfer to Chelsea. But I just did not have good preparation."
"I have seven goals in the Premier League and ten goals in all competitions. If I had not had my injuries, I would have had four or five more. But I can live with ten.
“In the first game I injured my heel. Then I injured my toe. That continued to drag on.
“I kept playing because I wanted to help the team. The games against Chelsea and Arsenal (in August) I should never have been allowed to play. Few people know that but for those matches I've had four injections in my foot to play.
"So, no, the transfer fee of €35 million was not enough for me," Lukaku told HLN in Belgium. "For me, that isn't limit [of what I'll worth]. If I take a step forward, I'll be worth even more. You will not hear me say that €35 million is too much money.
"No, I will fully show that I'm worth that amount. I will do anything to increase my value still."
However, he's well aware of a drop in form and speaking to
Sport Wereld in Belgium (as reported by
Sport Witness) he explained that's down to personal reasons and his father being ill. Lukaku is very close to his family and his father hasn't been able to attend a match at Everton so far this season.
"In addition to the injuries there were some private matters. My father has been for a long time ill. Many people don't know that. Just before the World Cup, he was urgently admitted to the hospital.
"The trainer knew it, because I told him. I could not keep lying. Normally he would follow me to Brazil. He couldn't go. Since then he has still not even been to England to attend a match. Football is my only way to get out all frustrations. My father was my first coach. He is my mentor. If something happens to your father, football comes in second place. I will not tell you what he just had. It's still difficult. With ups and downs."
Lukaku has also been affected by the death of close friend Junior Malanda last month but he remains focused on the remainder of the season and he revealed that he has not given up hope of finishing in the European places come May. "Is it true that Jordan could have gone to Torino and I to Juventus?" he continued. " Absolutely. In the end we decided that Everton for me and KV Oostende for my brother were better options... Also Wolfsburg made me an offer, but Everton is the right choice.
"I just want to score more and stay injury free and finish as high as possible in the Premier League of course. We must pull out all the stops.
"I have not given up the fight for the European places. In football, especially in England, the race starts after March.
“As long as it's not done mathematically, you have to continue to believe in it.
“We also have to show people that we really want to win the Europa League. That's my big goal. To win a trophy. I want to win the Europa League and my teammates know that."