DON’T YELL AT THE REBEL
Koeman urges fans to lay off Lukaku
RONALD KOEMAN has pleaded with Everton fans not to turn their fury on contract rebel Romelu Lukaku.
The Blues boss believes his star striker will still be totally committed to the cause this season, despite stunning Goodison Park chiefs by refusing a new contract, barely minutes after indicating it was a done deal.
That will provoke outrage from supporters – but Koeman (with Lukaku, above) wants them to get behind the big Belgian to ensure Everton stay on track to fulfil the ambition the striker said they lack.
“If the player shows his commitment through his football, then it’s no problem. I don’t think they will boo him, because we need the support – every player needs the support,” the Toffees boss said.
“Everybody needs to understand ambitions and his situation. Rom is a professional player and his commitment maybe looks different because of a few quotes. But he is young and he can make mistakes.”
Koeman is keen for the fans to back his star striker in part to ensure Everton have a real chance of playing European football next season.
Seventh place in the Premier League table could still deliver a Europa League spot, but their manager still reckons catching Manchester United in sixth is possible – and he also sent out a clear message to Lukaku that it will just be the START of the Blues’ rise to join the elite.
In fact, Koeman told the star he could even achieve his ambitions at Goodison next season: “If I look to this season so far, I think we can make the next step next time,” he said. “If we can do what we want to do next season, move on and get in who we want, we can battle with them, yes.
“We try to get the best players, but most of them want to play Champions League and we are not playing Champions League at the moment. “Just buying better players doesn’t mean you will play in that tournament, because Manchester United, City, Liverpool or Arsenal
won’t qualify and they spent money for that. A lot. But two of them will not be in there. “But, look at the difference between this season and last – that’s the first step. Everybody knows you can’t do this in one year, it takes time.
“How long did it take for Tottenham to be where they are now? Three or four years. You can’t do it in one.”
Despite everything, Koeman has not even considered leaving Lukaku out of the side to face Hull today.
He must decide, though, whether, in defence, to stick with skipper Phil Jagielka or recall Ramiro Funes Mori.