Romelu Lukaku has revealed he turned down the chance of a return to Chelsea this summer, following crunch talks with manager Ronald Koeman.
The 23 year-old told The Express he was pondering a move back to West-London, before the Toffees new boss reassured the Belgian Goodison Park was the right place for his game.
Having finally ended his goal drought of over 1,000 minutes with a hat-trick away to Sunderland, Lukaku has again returned to scintillating form for The Toffees, scoring seven goals in as many games.
However, after Koeman opted to pick up the reins at Everton from Southampton, Lukaku says his new boss’ honesty is one of the big reasons he remained with the club.
Lukaku said: “When [Ronald Koeman] called me during the European Championship I told him how I felt. I was surprised how honest he was with me. He was honest in the way that he wanted to work and how he wanted the team to play … He saw me as an important figure and a big character.”
Making the move from Anderlecht in 2012, the Belgian spent the following season on loan at West Bromwich Albion, where his goal-scoring exploits were first realised.
Lukaku scored 17 times for The Baggies, with seven further assists. He helped Steve Clarke’s men in finishing eighth in the league standings.
After speculation he could become a starter for Chelsea, Lukaku then made another loan move – this time to Everton – netting another 15 times that term.
He then made the permanent move to Merseyside for what Sky Sports said was a fee of £28m in July 2014. In total, the forward averages 15 goals over the last four seasons.
After Lukaku himself stated he had unfinished business with Chelsea this summer, a £65m move was touted. Following a conversation with Koeman however, it seems the Dutchman’s words were music to the striker’s his ears.
“I told him I am not a guy that is going to cause any problems”, Lukaku adds. I am a guy who has to be at 100 per cent and that is what I am going to do. He knew it straight away.”
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