In a bizarre set of events, just a few weeks after holding on to Romelu Lukaku by the skin of their teeth, Ronald Koeman, the Everton manager has claimed that Lukaku is too good a player to be involved with a club like Everton and could only truly achieve the potential he has, if he moves to a bigger club like Barcelona.
The Belgian, who has been in great form since moving to the Goodison Park in a big-money move from Chelsea, was subject to numerous speculations during the recently concluded transfer window and Everton were believed to have dug deep to keep hold of, arguably their best player over the course of the last 2 seasons. He has scored 68 goals in 137 appearances and has a hand to play in numerous other goals, thus adding to his credentials as one of the best strikers in England.
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At Just 23 years of age, the Big Burly Belgian, who has tormented with the right mix of physical approach and footballing flair was touted by many to take the footballing world by the scruff of the neck at a very young age and Lukaku has done precisely that ever since he moved to England with Chelsea.
“I gave him confidence and he has himself recognised that it was good for his development to play another year at Everton. There is a very good contact and appreciation between us. What after this season comes, no one knows,” told Koeman to the Belgian Newspaper HLN.
In addition, Koeman added that he finds traits of former Dutch legend Patrick Kuivert in terms of abilities and added that the Belgian could follow the career path of the former Barcelona star in the near future.
“If Romelu was to play at Everton until the end of his career I know he has left something (behind). His potential is greater and higher than Everton as a final destination. Kluivert was also a striker who was quite young (when he was) in the picture and had a fantastic career.
“Eventually, Kluivert played for Barcelona, which could happen with Lukaku. I think Lukaku is quite complete. He can hold a ball and be a target man and, because he is tall and physically strong, you can play directly with the long ball,” quipped the Dutchman.
The manager’s comments are not expected to go down very well with the Toffees fans, who have time and again lost a number of critical players in the past. Could it be just Koeman’s way of milking the highest fee possible for the player when Lukaku is finally let go by the club? We will have to wait and watch.
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