beIN SPORTS

By Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven)

Romelu Lukaku now has his place in the Everton record books. By scoring three in Thursday’s 4-1 Europa League win over Young Boys Bern the striker became just the fourth player a hat-trick for the Toffees in Europe. Every so often the Belgian offers a glimpse of the player he could, and probably should be.

Demonstrating his innate strength, presence and general natural ability as the focal point of attack, Lukaku underlined his status as one of the brightest young prospects in European soccer right now. Just in case anyone needed reminded.

And yet Lukaku often finds himself the target of intense scrutiny and criticism. The £28 million fee paid for the striker in the summer has put a target on his back. Indeed, Lukaku is one of the most infuriatingly erratic players in the Premier League. But at just 21 years old he can be excused for being inconsistent in his performances. He is still a young player in development, and his progression has been a steep one.

Since making his professional debut for Anderlecht just 11 days after his 16th birthday Lukaku has become distinguished as one of the finest young strikers in Europe. He has made over 250 appearances for club and country since, playing at the very top level of both club and international soccer - in the Premier League, the Champions League and even at last summer’s World Cup.

Lukaku has scored 37 goals excluding penalties since the start of the 2012/13, meaning that only three players - Luis Suarez, Robin Van Persie and Sergio Aguero - have scored more in that timeframe. Such a tally puts him ahead of the likes of Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Olivier Giroud.

However, the Belgian does possess something of a self-destructive streak. At Chelsea his attitude came under question, with Jose Mourinho deciding his side would be better off without the influence of such a flaky character - and player for that matter. 

And there have been similar questions held against Lukaku’s commitment and application at Everton too, with the striker angering his own fans by telling a newspaper that he hopes to leave Everton one day for “a top club.” Is the striker thinking of his next move before truly proving himself with the Toffees?

“There has been a lot written about that. There was a conversation taken a little bit out of context after the Chelsea game,” said Martinez after the win in Switzerland. “It was clearly someone looking for a headline if Rom wanted to perform in order to come back to Chelsea, and his answer probably didn’t reflect what he meant.

“It’s never an issue. Rom was delighted to commit himself to Everton. A footballer needs to be measured by the way he talks on the pitch. Sometimes a microphone can be put in front of you and people then dissect everything you say and highlight a word or line which is not appropriate.

“It’s not an issue. He’s a special footballer who we love seeing developing, and he’s just enjoying being an important player for Everton.”

  The team was excellent! On to the next game #Toffees #GodIsGreat A photo posted by Romelu Lukaku Bolingoli (@romelu.lukaku10) on Feb 19, 2015 at 3:35pm PST

Martinez is correct to point out just how important Lukaku has become for Everton in the season-and-a-half since he initially signed for the Goodison Park club on loan. He is the player with which the Toffees’ frontline revolves and is built around. At the peak of his powers he is undoubtedly the best player Martinez has.

The flip side of that is that when Lukaku plays poorly, so does his team. He is the gauge with which to judge Everton with, and so it was hardly surprising that the striker’s best performance of the season came on the same night the Toffees emphatically cast aside all the troubles that have beset them in recent weeks.

More is demanded of Lukaku than any other player of his age in the European game. While dips in form are ordinarily expected of players at his age, the Belgian is required to lead one of the Premier League’s most illustrious sides. And all considered, he’s not doing too badly in that regard.