LUK OUT! Koeman: Rom can be a real world-class striker, his attitude is brilliant... and he’s still only 23
RONALD KOEMAN has warned Premier League defenders that Romelu Lukaku only has eyes for goals again.
The Everton manager believes that his Belgian hit- man was unsettled by the summer speculation that Chelsea were preparing a £60million bid to take him back to Stamford Bridge.
But Lukaku was back to his awesome best with a hat-trick at Sunderland last Monday and scored again yesterday in the 3-1 win over Middlesbrough.
And Koeman ( right) reckons that it is the start of another productive season for the 23-year-old.
Koeman said: “During the summer, Romelu’s head was mixed up with questions about his future. He knew there was so much interest for him, and I know how that can work. Romelu did not score in the last 10 games of last season and he also had a difficult pre-season because he joined the Everton squad late following his involvement in the Euros with Belgium. “But he finally decided to stay, which made me so happy because I believe in him. “One of the biggest challenges for a manager is to keep trust in a player, when that player is not living up to the expectations of the fans. “Romelu Lukaku is one of the finest examples for me. That brilliant attitude paid off this week when he scored that g reat hat- trick against Sunderland. “Romelu showed he is one of the best strikers in the Premier League. “People forget he is only 23. “As a manager I still see lots of time for a player at that age to improve and to develop into a world-class striker.” Koeman has been a tough taskmaster since succeeding Roberto Martinez at Goodison.
The Dutchman has brought in a short, sharp training regime that takes his players to the limit.
He said: “My training sessions are not long, but the intensity is very high.
“I want my players to train the way we play. For me that is football at a high level.
“The so-called experts claim that it does not matter what kind of intensity you train a team.
“But only Messi and Ronaldo can afford to take their foot of the accelerator in training, and all the other players in the world have to work very hard.
“I can see the improvements with my own eyes.
“Players at Everton have lost eight or nine pounds in weight compared to last season.
“The players are aware that they are fitter and are able to do more on the pitch.”