Lukaku

[tim cahill]

By the sound of it he wants to be a starter when he goes back to Chelsea. If Mourinho, in his wisdom, decides that Eto'o, Torres or even Schurlle are his preferred striking options I think that Lukaku will ask for a move. And, if that's the case, they're not going to sell him to one of their rivals. So we should be in prime position to sign him. Maybe Chelsea will let us have him as a sweetener for first option on Barkley?

That might rule us out after we beat them to the league title this year courtesy of Romelu's goals.

 

[Elong]

So this is what it's like having a world class striker leading a world class lineup.

 

[tadpole]

most exciting signing since ... Kanchelkis ? Beardsley ? or even further back - Alan Ball ? even if he is just here for the season, it could be one hell of a ride.

 

[Furey1878]

Lukaku though...

 

[Darth Toffeeman]

I wish we could sign him permanently though it looks highly unlikely, But I would say we have had some unbelievable talent here in Kanchelskis, Rooney etc and they where here for 18 months or so.
Perhaps the loaning of deulofeu and Lukaku combined with the quality we already have could fire us to a special season (cup win, CL qualification) which would do wonders for us.

 

[billycopper]

That might rule us out after we beat them to the league title this year courtesy of Romelu's goals.

In all seriousness, if Lukaku gets close to 20 league goals for us, how far away from the top of the league will we finish?

Our goal difference was 20 away from CL qualification last year. Our leading striker, Jelavic, scored 7 goals in 37 appearances= a goal every 5.28 games. Lukaku scored 17 goals in 20 starts (35 total appearances) for West Brom= a goal every 2.05 games. If he only manages 17 goals for us he could help to half the goal difference divide.

Last season we conceded 40 goals= 1.05 per game. So far we've let in 0.80 per game, which is pretty much dead on (0.79 rounded up) the target we would need to hit to concede 10 fewer goals this season.

So, between Lukaku's arrival and better defending we could reasonably comfortably make up a 20 goal gap to Arsenal (only Chelsea and United had better goal differences) and pressure them for a CL place.

 

[Titus Bramble]

He makes me erect. NEA.

 

[bluesb1970]

My thoughts after seeing him were that we wont be able to sign him but at least it shows EXACTLY what we need and gives us a season to scour the market for a similar, more affordable option?

 

[toffeejack]

Even if we had 30m there is literally zero chance of signing him permanently, that's just a fact. The good news is they can't call him back which some keep asking about. We paid a fee for him and a contract was signed, it can't be broken unless both parties came to some sort of agreement, say if he broke his leg or something

you really think there's zero chance? if mourinho doesn't want him and he fires us to top 4 this season, i reckon there's a good chance he'd be ours.

there's not many instances where you'd say there's 0 chance of a player joining a specific club.

 

[toffeejack]

He can play with his back to goal. He turns sharply and runs at defenders. He can spot and play a pass with either foot. He attacks the ball in the air. Altogether an excellent debut.

the best debut since gareth barry for everton

 

[Elong]

I think if Chelsea need him next season then it'll be another manager who needs him, not Mourinho, if they don't go well I wouldn't be surprised to see Jose get fired after one season, Roman's got a twitchy finger.

 

[toffeejack]

In all seriousness, if Lukaku gets close to 20 league goals for us, how far away from the top of the league will we finish?

Our goal difference was 20 away from CL qualification last year. Our leading striker, Jelavic, scored 7 goals in 37 appearances= a goal every 5.28 games. Lukaku scored 17 goals in 20 starts (35 total appearances) for West Brom= a goal every 2.05 games. If he only manages 17 goals for us he could help to half the goal difference divide.

Last season we conceded 40 goals= 1.05 per game. So far we've let in 0.80 per game, which is pretty much dead on (0.79 rounded up) the target we would need to hit to concede 10 fewer goals this season.

So, between Lukaku's arrival and better defending we could reasonably comfortably make up a 20 goal gap to Arsenal (only Chelsea and United had better goal differences) and pressure them for a CL place.

we could pressure them but arsenal have improved with a real class act in ozil and giroud looks to be a new player. Spurs you would say have strengthened considerably as well, however, they had a great squad last season and relied purely on one man, so we'll have to see about them.

we'll see.

 

[toffeejack]

I think if Chelsea need him next season then it'll be another manager who needs him, not Mourinho, if they don't go well I wouldn't be surprised to see Jose get fired after one season, Roman's got a twitchy finger.

just always had a feeling it wouldn't go right for him this time round. having said that they're top of the table and i can't really see past them for the title because city have been very poor so far.

lets just say the standard in the league has dropped quite a bit from the european dominance of the last 6/7 years. here's hoping that in a couple of years, we could genuinely be looking at any of the top 6 challenging for the title

 

[Debaser]

Watched the game here on TV in Alaska. LOL

Apart from the entire 1984-85 side, Peter Beardlsey was my favorite Everton player I had the pleasure of watching.

Even if Lukaku only does stay for one season, I'm sure my view will change. I have not been as excited about a player for us as much as this in a very long time. He was immense today, changed the game. He will start every game for us now I'm sure.

 

[bluestevon]

Saw he had a good debut for you today. Told you he'd do wonders for your team. He could have had a couple today with a bit of luck and seemed to bring everyone else into play. It's great that he got off to a running start, lets hope his form continues.

Congrats on beating the spanners.

Nice post mate and hope you keep dropping by throughout the season etc, yeah he was superb today, game spun around from turgid to dynamic at half time when he came on, and think dynamic's a good description for the lad, wasnt for still being groggy from being knocked out im pretty certain he would have scored a secomd when clean through as well, just seemed to still be under the effects from the head clash though at the time

reckon we can have Mata on loan from you in January as well? ;p

On a serious note though mate, you think Mourinho is too demanding in some matters, ie lukaku needing to improve the weaker areas of his game before playing for you, mata having to work harder defensively etc before he will be trusted again?