CHELSEA MANAGER JOSE Mourinho claims that he sold Romelu Lukaku to Everton because the Belgian striker did not have the stomach to fight for a place at Stamford Bridge.
Lukaku joined Everton in a club-record £28 million (€35.4m) transfer yesterday, having scored 16 goals in 33 appearances while on loan at Goodison Park last season.
The 21-year-old faced competition from new signing Diego Costa and returning club great Didier Drogba at Chelsea, and Mourinho felt that he did not possess the drive to win a first-team place.
“Romelu was always clear that in his mentality and his approach he was not highly motivated to come to a competitive situation at Chelsea,” Mourinho said at yesterday’s press conference.
“He wanted to play for Chelsea, but clearly only as first-choice striker. And at a club of our dimension, it’s very difficult to promise a player that status.
“That reduced immediately his desire to come to us. After that, Everton came with an important offer and because we want to be inside (UEFA’s) Financial Fair Play rules, you have to analyse these situations.”
Lukaku was dubbed the heir apparent to Drogba when he joined Chelsea from Anderlecht in 2011, but he made only 15 appearances during his three years with the west London club.
The Belgium international, who played at the World Cup, revealed that he had left Chelsea without speaking to Mourinho.
“I spoke with my agent and then from that moment on I left it up to him as I was on holiday,” said Lukaku, who has signed a five-year contract with Everton. “I made my decision and then didn’t speak too much about it.”
Asked if he had spoken to Mourinho immediately prior to leaving, Lukaku replied: “No, I think he was busy with the game (Chelsea’s friendly against Vitesse Arnhem).”
’10 years on the bench’
Despite failing to make the grade at Chelsea, Lukaku said that he had no regrets about his time at the club.
“Chelsea is a big club and sometimes it is difficult for young players to come through,” he said.
“I want to have a good career and I didn’t want to spend 10 years on the bench. I wanted to make the best out of every year. This (Everton) is a club with a lot of ambition and it’s the right place to be. You don’t have to have regrets in football. Choices have to be made.”
Everton manager Roberto Martinez described Lukaku’s arrival as “a very significant day in the history of our football club” and said the Belgian was “worth every single penny”.
I’d hate the see the combined hours I’ve spent on it over the years… addictive isn’t the word
@Mossy: championship manager 01-02. Extra results were greatly affected by that game.
Won my first league game of the season last night with Preston, from my couch in Melbourne. Got Aaron Connolly on loan, heavily scouting Ireland!
FA Premier League Football manager 1999/2000 I was the manager of newly promoted Sunderland with Niall Quinn/Kevin Philips up front and I was flying as my team Sunderland were in 6th at mid February and next thing I got sacked couldn’t believe it!
I got so good at it they offered me a role in the England setup. Stuff like that doesn’t go unnoticed.
@James Elphick:
Jay of Inbetweeners
@Mícheál Moran: Spot on. Lol.
Already finished it mate
FA Premier League Football manager 1999/2000 I was the manager of newly promoted Sunderland with Niall Quinn/Kevin Philips up front and I was flying as my team Sunderland were in 6th at mid February and next thing I got sacked couldn’t believe it!