"A girl who's never kicked a ball": That's how Romelu Lukaku's agent described his technique
Everton and Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku has revealed that his technique was ridiculed by his agent Mino Raiola, with the Italian comparing it to that of a girl who’s never played football. Lukaku added that he even considered switching agents at one point.
Raiola said things that no one would say to me : Lukaku
Lukaku had previously been represented by Christophe Henrotay until he switched representatives in April, and appointed Italian Mino Raiola who also represents players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Mario Balotelli.
The Belgian revealed that he was pushed to the limits mentally by his agent and that he faced a reality check which eventually helped him succeed.
“I signed here and when I was not in a good moment, he was the one who said the reality,” Lukaku told the Daily Express. “He said stuff to me that no one would say to me. Mean things about me like, 'You play like a woman. You play like a girl who has never played the game sometimes.'”
"Then he would take examples of Zlatan and Bergkamp and all those players: 'Oh, you want to aim for the top? Well you are not playing like a top player. He said stuff that really hurt me and I have my pride. He told me at the end of the day it is all about goals.”
Lukaku credits his agent for helping him work hard
The 22-year-old striker has been in terrific form this season having scored 13 goals already and is eyeing more. Lukaku has improved his technique and work rate tremendously, which has helped him score frequently this season. The Belgian gave a lot of credit to Raiola for making it hard for him and helping him re-establish himself as a goal-scorer.
"What I am doing now, it is credit to him also. He picked my brain mentally because I was at a very low place at the time,” Lukaku said. “He has a very good relationship with the manager as well. In pre-season, the manager, Mino and me had a conversation. I had to hear a few things about me in training and what I had to do and from then on it was like unleashing the beast: Go onto the pitch and show us what you can do."
Everton are currently 9th in the table just one point behind rivals Liverpool, but their consistent inconsistency this season has not affected Lukaku’s form infront of goal. He became the first Everton player after Dixie Dean in 1927 to score in eight consecutive Premier League games this season and will be looking forward to secure a place with his national team for Euro 2016.