Everton

Romelu Lukaku: 'Ronald Koeman told me I am important to Everton'

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 01 November 2016

Romelu Lukaku says that Ronald Koeman convinced him to stay at Everton after informing the striker that he was an "important figure" in the team.

Romelu Lukaku has revealed that Ronald Koeman convinced him to stay at Everton after telling the striker that he is an "important" member of the team.

The Belgium international was considering his future in the summer transfer window, with Chelsea among a handful of clubs thought to be interested in signing the 23-year-old.

However, after holding talks with Koeman, who left Southampton to become Roberto Martinez's successor, Lukaku opted to remain at Goodison Park.

"When [Koeman] called me during the European Championship I told him how I felt," The Express quotes Lukaku as saying. "I was surprised how honest he was with me. He was honest in the way that he wanted to work and how he wanted the team to play. He saw me as an important figure and a big character.

"I told him I am not a guy that is going to cause any problems. I am a guy who has to be at 100 per cent and that is what I am going to do. He knew it straight away."

Lukaku has scored seven goals in nine Premier League games this season.