Everton manager Ronald Koeman has upset Toffees fans by telling star striker Romelu Lukaku that he will need to leave the club to fulfil his potential.
The Belgian striker became the club’s record signing in the summer of 2014 when he made his loan move from Chelsea permanent for £28m.
Still only 23 years of age, Lukaku has scored 68 goals for the club in 135 games – including a frankly outrageous record against West Ham – and sparked reported interest from a number of top European clubs.
And Koeman has told Belgian publication HLN that, if the striker spends the rest of his career at Goodison Park, it will mean he has not fulfilled his potential as a player.
“His potential is greater and higher than Everton as a final destination,” Koeman said, before suggesting Lukaku could follow the path of former Dutch international Patrick Kluivert and eventually move to Barcelona.
“Eventually Kluivert played for Barcelona, which could happen with Lukaku,” he said, comparing the two players’ development into a top striker at a young age.
Lukaku has already scored 10 goals for club and country this season, including Belgium’s first goal against Cyprus, Everton’s first against Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Manchester City and West Ham – games from which the Toffees picked up eight points.
So it goes without saying that fans of the Merseyside club are far from thrilled after reading their manager’s comments.
hope @RonaldKoeman gets the sack tbh
— Macauley Clay-Lewis (@MacauleyL1878) November 9, 2016
if @RonaldKoeman isn't careful he will lose fans. Lots pissed off with that interview. He also calls us "everton" not "us"
— Harry Wallace 🇺🇦 (@BlueKnight1878) November 9, 2016
We all know lukaku will eventually leave but for koeman to say what he's thinking is fucking daft hasn't helped himself
— jamie bell (@SirPartridge) November 9, 2016
And there have been some comparisons with John Stones, who left Goodison Park this summer for a hefty fee.
Moshiri said they agreed stones could leave a year before he did, Lukaku is obviously the same, Koeman talking him up to maximise fee
— Stephen (@stephenefc1878) November 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/terryreece1/status/796351623429816321
