Are we angling for Lukaku?

[Bruce Wayne]

Stranger things have happened. It does seem odd that Martinez let Jelavic go without a replacement being signed up. He said after all that neither him or Heitinga would be going anywhere without a replacement. You'd like to think that if we were in a position to buy him in the summer (ie in the CL) that money wouldn't be such an issue anyway, so why not spend the Jela cash on someone to give us a good chance of getting there?

 

[VentureBrosEFC]

Would you have that money spent on another striker if this proposed Lacina Traore deal goes through or would you rather we bought someone and not mess with loans? If you would loan Traore and buy another what position would you go for?

Forgot how to use a forum and quote you. This is directed at Bruce Wayne if that was confusing.

 

[ChicagoToffee]

Stranger things have happened. It does seem odd that Martinez let Jelavic go without a replacement being signed up. He said after all that neither him or Heitinga would be going anywhere without a replacement. You'd like to think that if we were in a position to buy him in the summer (ie in the CL) that money wouldn't be such an issue anyway, so why not spend the Jela cash on someone to give us a good chance of getting there?

Bruce, don't think the Jelavic cash and the Heitinga savings are going to kick around in old Bill's pockets all spring. This is go time for Everton - every Evertonian has a boner. Bob will get in a striker or two. Has to. If Everton want to think about getting over the hump and sitting at the regular CL contenders table, it's a goer now.

 

[bluestevon]

I want Lukaku, bobby obviously does from comments made, still wouldn't be shocked to see a deal go through 'this' window, i think too many are overrating 'we need CL' for him, i think bobby is saying that as a way to motivate the squad, maybe the board too, he's sneaky with his comments is our bobby like, and i think for Lukaku at 20 - the most important thing is playing rgulary somewhere he thinks can go somewhere

 

[Zodiak2]

I appreciated it too mate, good post with good points.

We'd all desperately love Lukaku long term and signing him would give our future a massive boost.

Right down the spine of the team from Stones (19) at the back, McCarthy (23) and Barkley (20) in midfield and Lukaku (20) up front, that a hugely impressive young spine to the team in which to build around for years to come.

 

[Brennan]

What I tried to suggest was that being at Everton has changed that very definitive outlook he had when he arrived. Wages are probably the biggest stumbing block but, especially if we get top 4 and with the likelihood of Chelsea splashing big, are you sure his resolve won't at all be tested?

Thing is though mate, he said his future was at Chelsea about a month ago, it was actually earlier in the season that he was saying staying at Everton was a possibility.

We can't afford him sadly, and even if we could Chelsea would I'm sure rather sell to a team from a different league rather than a side who regularly take points off them.

Price and his desire to play for the team he supports rule this out, IMO.

 

[ianefc]

He's not a fish

 

[ToffeeMark]

I find it hard to read long posts without pictures but I agree with you.

 

[Shu Ren Dennis Ng]

I remember RM with a quote about "one day we see no chance of getting someone and the next day we see a better chance of getting him". That reminded me immediately of Lukaku's position.

Chelsea is scoring from midfield for the most part (Hazard) and Torres seems to be scoring a little more than people expect. If they get Rooney (very likely since MU are likely not going to get UCL unless they proved they can beat teams like Chelsea) and Costa, Lukaku will not get his first team place. He might want to move because of that and we definitely have a shot.

2 things working against us:
1) Any team can outbid us easily in a bidding war, particularly UCL teams in EPL and across Europe
2) If Lukaku doesn't mind the bench since WC is this year, not next, he might jolly well go back to Chelsea (unlikely but possible)

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

If Chelsea sign another marque striker then he could well become available in the summer

As he won't to be the back up striker anywhere imo

 

[deipnosophist]

Well articulated post and the fonts therein caused me no distress at all. I genuinely believe (subjectively like), that A CL place might give us a 'seat at the table' re Romelu. Odds? : 10 to one.

 

[applecrumble]

Who's seen his new haircut?

 

[lmurkder]

Who's seen his new haircut?

Anyone who calls Lukaku

Purple Aki should get an auto ban.

 

[SingBlue]

Well the use of font sizing has motivated me to respond. I can see where you're coming from, but think the gradual increasing of the font size was clever by making me go back to see if it was just my eyes, whether I've been at my desk too long, or if it was a deliberate ploy to divert my attention so I had to go back and re-read the piece.

Clever.

As Font Long Hot Dog alludes to, a lot depends on who Chelsea sign. Mourihno has no issues turning over a dressing room, or moving players on when they've not been at the club long - Schurrle for example. Even if we accept that it's Eto'o's swansong (hey fontman, does that look wrong with two apostrophes?); Torres and Ba aren't young 'uns anymore, I can see Chelsea moving to bring in either an established front man, or another "one for the future".

I wouldn't read too much into his Chelsea proclomations. He has to say that - they remain his employer, and he's possibly looking to recover some of the damage done with his previous statements that riled Mourihno. Mourihno does strike you as the sort of boss who, if you fall out with him, doesn't let you back in - unless you are something special. Taggart at Man U was the same. Too scared to get rid of Rooney, was only too happy to get rid of Beckham and pocket the cash. I think Mourihno models himself on Fergie (and despite what he said he was desperate for the OT job ).

Also, remember when we signed Duncan Ferguson on loan from Rangers. We'd been after him for ages. Leeds thought they'd got him (even paraded him in a shirt at Elland Road), and Ferguson himself was adamant it was just a loan deal. In the end, he got the buzz of the club, the love of the fans, spent the majority of his career here.

Lukaku - like Ferguson - is possibly over-rated. (Ferguson could've been so much better than he was, but injuries and ill-discipline on and off the pitch did for that). However I think in Lukaku's case he's still raw. Martinez thinks he can polish him up, and if we do it can only help.

If Lukaku is to be moved on at the end of the season, Chelsea will dictate the terms, but the player himself will have a big say on where he goes. Listening to one of his interviews, he's a charming, intelligent sort and might take a more considered view about where he spends the next chunk of his career.

You never know, it could be Everton, but only if we get that CL qualification. Otherwise, no chance. Not even on loan again.

 

[Aidey9]

Good post but I do think Lukaku wants to go back to Chelsea and try and make it there, but im not sure Mourinho thinks he's upto being Chelsea's main man up front next season, or the season after that?!. Clearly Mourinho doesn't think he's upto it just yet, hence why he's after other, more established strikers from world football!.

So what does Lukaku do? Go back to Chelsea and warm the bench, get the odd 5, 10 mins here or there? Does he settle for another stint out on loan? I cant see it on any of them fronts tbh, he thinks he's ready for first team football at Chelsea now but the man picking the team doesn't, so what now?.

If Chelsea go out and buy 2 strikers in the summer out of the likes of Higuain, Rooney, Mandzukic, Diego Costa, Jackson Martinez or Falcao, Lukaku isn't getting anywhere near that first team for a few years, even though he's a big talent and on the up! So again, what does he do?

I honestly think He will want out and Chelsea will cut there loses in the summer. I think he'll be up for grabs at around anything between £15-20m IF Chelsea go out and buy 2 new strikers, maybe if they even buy only one?!

But the only way we'll be able to sign him is if we qualify for CL I reckon!