Romelu Lukaku to Everton: Jose Mourinho's masterstroke or grave mistake?

Romelu Lukaku

Ever since its inception in the 2002/03 season, the transfer window has been a constant source of shocks and surprises where all managers are trying to get the right players in order to enjoy a successful season. The summer transfer window of 2013/14 was no different where we saw Mesut Ozil and Gareth Bale make high profile moves to Arsenal and Real Madrid respectively amongst a host of other transfers. One transfer that shocked everyone was Jose Mourinho sanctioning a loan move for the in-form Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea to Everton.

Romelu Lukaku who joined Chelsea at the beginning of the 2011/12 season for a fee of around £20 million was loaned to West Bromwich Albion last season in the hope of providing the talented teenager with some first team action. Lukaku netted 17 goals last season and led West Brom to an 8th placed finish. His hat-trick on the last day of the season against the champions Manchester United was a glimpse of his ability and a testimony to the fact that he could well turn out to be one of the best strikers in Europe.

With Fernando Torres netting just 9 goals in the Premier League that season and Demba Ba not being able to replicate the form he was in at Newcastle, the frailties of the Chelsea attack had been exposed. They barely managed to qualify for the Champions League and the fans hoped for a convincing display in the 2013/14 season. Jose Mourinho, Chelsea’s newly appointed manager was linked with moves for Radamel Falcao, Edinson Cavani and Wayne Rooney, but none of the deals materialised and the fans pinned their hopes on Romelu Lukaku who was now an improved product.

Mourinho shocked one and all in the closing stages of the transfer window when he loaned Romelu Lukaku to Everton and instead signed 32-year-old striker Samuel Eto’o from Anzhi Makhachkala. The move came as a blow to the Chelsea fans who were expecting Lukaku to emulate Didier Drogba’s success at Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho is undoubtedly one of the brightest minds in the game of football and has proved his prowess as a manager season after season. Mourinho, initially criticised for sanctioning Lukaku’s loan move is now being marvelled at after the first 16 matches of the season have been played. The move to Everton is now being described as a masterstroke by the football pundits. Romelu Lukaku, who is in supreme form at Everton, is indirectly helping Chelsea in their title bid.

Mourinho added Andre Schurrle, Willian and Marco Van Ginkel to an already efficient midfield and the return of Kevin De Bryune and Michael Essien from their loan deals further added depth to the Chelsea midfield. The fact that he has loaned Lukaku to Everton and has kept his faith in his existing out of form strikers means that he trusts his midfielders to score goals and win matches for him. The new loan rules mean that Lukaku can’t play against Chelsea but can against everyone else. This has worked in Chelsea’s favour because Lukaku’s performances against the so called big clubs have been extremely instrumental in bolstering Chelsea’s title bid.

His performances have rocketed Everton to the 5th spot ahead of title contenders Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. His crucial goal against Liverpool at Goodison Park left Liverpool 2 points short of where they could have been. His assist against Manchester United won Everton a crucial encounter. Mourinho is well aware of the fact that his Chelsea squad possesses enough quality to win the league and Lukaku leading Everton to the title is a long shot. Although, he is capable enough to force other title contenders to drop points and halt their title bid.

In terms of Lukaku’s personal development, a move to Everton makes sense. Playing with the likes of Gareth Barry and Leighton Baines will only aid his football career and further his development. Also, playing under Roberto Martinez, who’s playing style focuses on ball retention and dominating territory leading to a barrage of shots will surely make Lukaku a sound player. A slicker passing game with Lukaku up front will help covert the chances into goals and fetch points for Everton.

Early signs indicate that this move is indeed working in Chelsea’s favour. Only time will tell if this bizarre move will work for Mourinho and convince everyone that he is still ‘The Special One’.