Lukaku, Everton and Chelsea: A win-win-win situation

Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring a goal during the match between Chelsea and Indonesia All-Stars at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on July 25, 2013 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Getty Images)

Romelu Lukaku joined Everton on transfer deadline day in a move that will break the hearts of West Brom fans the world over. The Chelsea forward, who spent last season on loan with the Baggies, netted 17 times in 38 appearances for the Midlands club, making him one of the most prolific strikers in the EPL.

However, while many Baggies fans clung to the hope of Lukaku re-joining their club late on Monday night, Lukaku instead decided to join Roberto Martinez’s Everton side. In explaining his decision, Lukaku said, “West Bromwich Albion was also there but I didn’t want to choose the easy option. We must face challenges and mine will be at Everton. “

Chelsea had initially indicated they would not be allowing Lukaku to leave after he impressed on loan at The Hawthorns last season. The Belgian was in favour at Stamford Bridge early in the season, playing in three of Chelsea’s first four matches. However, competition for places has become intense with the arrival of Samuel Eto’o from Russia, and in light of that Jose Mourinho has allowed him to make the temporary move to Merseyside.

Lukaku explained that Mourinho’s decision was the best solution for all parties: “Jose Mourinho called me and he was clear with me. It is better like that. I like it when a coach is honest. He is the best coach I have had. He wanted to make me better and did it with a firm hand. Together, we agreed that a loan was the best solution.”

Behind Gareth Bale’s record signing for Real Madrid and Mezut Ozil’s arrival at Arsenal, this should stand as the third most important transfer of the summer in the Premier League. More importantly, it is also perhaps the single smartest deal of the entire transfer window.

As Lukaku referred to, it was the best solution for everyone. Both clubs, as well as the player himself, should benefit immensely from the season-long loan. It is a rare occasion of a win-win-win situation in the transfer market.

Chelsea

Whenever you have a promising young player, who isn’t going to be a first team regular, it is always beneficial to get him out on loan. Despite his Premier League experience, Lukaku is still a very young player, and Mourinho is clearly not yet comfortable allowing him to spearhead a Champions League-calibre attack. Giving the Belgian another season of playing consistent football at the top-level is about the best preparation Chelsea could ask for if they want Lukaku to be the future of their football club.

As a bonus, this is a much better situation for Chelsea than if Lukaku were going back to West Brom. He is going to be playing for a side in Everton that should be competing for a European place. Lukaku never faced that situation in the Midlands. This year will be very different for the youngster. The Toffees will put more quality around him than West Brom did. As a result, he will almost certainly enjoy more service, and more opportunity to flourish.

But he will also be under much more pressure to succeed. Everyone will be watching the young Belgian this season, and that is a great position for the Chelsea evaluators to see him in. By this time next year Mourinho should know what the ceiling really is on Lukaku’s talent, and whether he can truly make it at the focal point of a Chelsea attack.