The season’s grown old, and Chelsea fans have grown wise. Or less bitter. Or content with their title.
How do we know this? Because they’ve all concluded that selling Romelu Lukaku last summer was a cracking idea.
Mourinho is a genius of the transfer market, £28 million for Lukaku is ridiculous.
— Cesc~ (@BlueTweets10) May 9, 2015
He missed a number of chances in Everton’s 2-0 loss to Sunderland, which took the Black Cats out of the bottom three and up to 14th ahead of the other kick-offs.
The Belgian striker, who turns 22 in a few days, has scored nine league goals for Everton since joining them from Chelsea for £28 million – six fewer than his total last year when he was on loan at Goodison Park.
Basically, people haven’t been convinced by his performances this season.
Coates hasn't just got Lukaku's number, he's got it on speed dial
— A Love Supreme (@ALS_Fanzine) May 9, 2015
And it’s true. Search your mind for a memorable Lukaku performance this season, and you’ll find yourself thinking about the Europa League.
Lukaku would be a great striker, if it weren't for draconian rule that makes him play against Prem teams each week instead of Euro minnows.
— Massive Election (@KaraVanPark) May 9, 2015
He’s scored eight goals in nine games in Europe’s second tier competition this season, as well as providing two assists, but why hasn’t he been, or at least looked, as effective in the domestic league?
Lukaku's 1st touch will troll you for days. #ssfootball
— #TlatsiMan (@BucsKopite) May 9, 2015
Maybe this sums it up.
Lukaku did every part of that right except the important part
— Royal Blue Mersey (@RBMersey) May 9, 2015
When we first saw Lukaku, on loan at West Brom, everyone was raving about him. He has the awesome accolade of scoring a hat-trick against Manchester United in Sir Alex Ferguson’s last ever game in charge, and his explosive running had us all on the edge of our seats.
Fast forward two seasons and it really does look like the Special One did well to cash in.
Mourinho got it spot on shifting Lukaku he is ðŸ„💩
— Jon Pearson (@JonPearson89) May 9, 2015
That was “cow shit”, if you couldn’t tell from the emoji, and while we’d be inclined to SOMEWHAT agree, can a player who has scored 41 Premier League goals before turning 22 really be described by the above?
After all, it’s not like Everton have had the best season. After the highs of last year, their first under Roberto Martinez, Everton looked like they could be threatened with relegation until their form picked up over the last few months.
How good are the players around him?
Why do Everton completely ignore lukaku's run and play it into his feet when he's the 2nd fastest player on the field
— Sa'ad(Davids) (@SaaidWarsame) May 9, 2015
It’s not like Ross Barkley, a player everyone in England is invested in seeing do well, has kicked on this season. After a blistering year last time out it’s been difficult not to be frustrated with the 21-year-old any time you see him play.
I want so much more Ross Barkley, so much less Leon Osman. Lukaku frustrated, I can see why. Changes needed, halftime rethink. #efc
— Levi (@evertonfanatic) May 9, 2015
Maybe Lukaku is just a fitting scapegoat in a difficult season for Everton fans – and they probably give the rest of them just as much stick at times.
Ffs Lukaku. Your paid to score. How many chances do you want to actually finish one.
— CJBettingPro (@CJBettingPro) May 9, 2015
How many chances does Lukaku need to score!!!! #EFCvSUN
— Andrew Owen (@owena1971) May 9, 2015
But you’ve also got to love the optimism of the Everton fans.
If someone bids £30m + for Lukaku I'd take it this summer, happy to keep him but if we can turn a profit I'd do it – he isn't top class #efc
— Alex Harrington (@aharry79) May 9, 2015
Regardless of how badly half the people in Liverpool may want Lukaku to start playing well again – the people of Wales are in the opposite boat.
Let's hope Lukaku plays like this on June 12th; the Captain of Wales will have him in his pocket!! #cymru
— Neil (@NeilGO70) May 9, 2015
They’re instead hoping that this very average form can continue until Wales play Belgium in the European Championship qualifiers.
One man has the answer to the Welsh fans’ prayers. As long as Lukaku keeps cutting his hair, all should be well.
Lukaku is the Samson of Football. Since he cut his dada, he doesn't have sense anymore.
— â™£ï¸ (@i_am_capello) May 9, 2015
The bottom line? If Sunderland stay up, they owe Everton, and they owe Lukaku.
The Mackems owe Lukaku a bunch of their best and brightest flowers after this.
— Dash (@Dash111_) May 9, 2015
Source: SNAPPA
