Everton Broke Record Transfer

Everton recently broke their transfer record in order to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea. The Belgian international has joined the club on a permanent basis for £ 28 million. He spent the last season on loan at Goodison Park. Everton wasted no time in concluding the deal after it became clear that Lukaku has no future at Chelsea. Such a deal was promising for the club since they had seen first-hand the impact the 21-year-old can make with regular first-team opportunities. Last season, he scored 16 goals in just 33 matches. This helped Everton qualify for the Europa League.

Lukaku comfortably beat the £ 15 million record Everton set when they bought Marouane Fellaini in 2006. Lukaku has said that the special relationship that he enjoys with the fans and the manager is the reason behind the permanent move. Roberto Martinez, who has emerged as one of the most promising young managers in world football, says that the 21-year-old has to fulfil his potential. He has said that Lukaku’s performances can be even better in what is seen as a warning for the opposition.

Everton almost qualified for the Champions League last season due to the form of Lukaku. Martinez utilised the 21-year-old both as a target man and in the number 10 role last season.

“Rom is vitally important but his transfer fee will not count for anything in terms of him developing and having an important role in the side. This dressing room has got a special feeling and it is not about how much you pay for players to come in, it is about selecting the players to be in there. We really needed Rom at the club and that is where the chairman (Bill Kenwright) and the board have been exceptional and I do think it is a key moment at our club,” said Martinez.