Barry: The lads gave Lukaku stick over Mourinho comments
It’s been an interesting week for Romelu Lukaku he started it off scoring a brace in the Merseyside derby and then attracted some very barbed comments by a clearly annoyed Jose Mourinho at a Chelsea press conference. He then came back to score in the 4-0 win over Stoke City.
Mourinho launched an astonishing attack on Lukaku following press criticism of his apparent decision to allow Lukaku to go on loan and he feels the player should say the real reasons he left Chelsea, following rumours he had handed in a transfer request.
Mourinho said: “Romelu is a young boy who likes to speak – but the only thing he doesn’t say is why he went to Everton on loan.
“My last contact with him was to ask him that. Why do you never say why you are not here?
“It’s something he should talk about because he likes to speak – the reason why he’s not with Chelsea but is with Everton. One day he scored and he said he hoped Jose was watching – as if saying, ‘Why did he let me go?’ So that’s what I’m telling him, ‘Tell the country why you left’.
“I am happy that he is scoring goals against our rivals. It’s good for his evolution and it’s good for Chelsea because he belongs to us for a long time.
“But you either keep quiet or say everything. Don’t say only half of it.”
This came as great amusement to Lukaku’s Everton team mates who gave him a good ribbing over the headlines. Top of the queue was Gareth Barry, who also praised the mental strength of the big Belgian
He said: “He didn’t let it distract him. The lads spoke to him about the headlines and gave him a bit of stick about it.
“Rom is very strong-minded and confident in his own ability.
“He showed in his performance it hasn’t affected him and that’s all forgotten now.
“He can keep concentrating and hopefully keep scoring goals.”
Next up to Lukaku is Manchester United and the Everton boys will be hoping to put one over on their former boss at Old Trafford. United come off the back of a draw to Tottenham Hotspur, while Everton will be full of confidence after demolishing Stoke.
Do you think there is a chance that Everton can sign Rom on a permanent contract? Have your say at www.theevertonforum.com
If he cost them £20million,how much would they expect for him? I reckon he’s worth that or perhaps a bit more,but if he assists us getting CL qualification we become more attractive for other quality strikes too. I just wish that Jela would kick on again. Also,how good was Oviedo? Why hasn’t he been getting on the bench more?