‘Loyalty- the state or quality of being loyal: having or showing continued allegiance.’
When Romelu Lukaku signed for Everton in a record-breaking £28 million transfer, the club was on the crest of a wave; riding high both on and off the pitch. Roberto Martinez’s inaugural season as manager was roundly deemed to be a success- full of promise and positivity- and the club, in general, seemed ready, once again, to challenge for top honours amongst England’s elite. Key players had signed new, improved contracts, whilst supporters headed into the new season heralding Everton’s latest squad as the best seen in decades. Fast forward just six months, and hope has turned to despair, with the optimism established during that trail-blazing season giving way to widespread dissatisfaction at the general state of affairs at Goodison.
Lukaku, widely expected to function as the figurehead of Everton’s post-Moyes resurgence, has experienced something of a stagnation, as injuries and a general loss of form have been evident to such an extent that many Evertonians have demanded to see him dropped from the side altogether (this is not something I personally subscribe to). At the moment, he is instead viewed as the symbol of the club’s recent travails- an elaborate, expensive, and currently flawed luxury in a malfunctioning unit. Make no mistake, a return of 15 goals in all competitions is by no means shabby, but the Belgian has far from convinced with his poor hold-up play and wayward control. This is why it is all the more galling for supporters that, in the aftermath of Wednesday’s frustrating, unmerited defeat at Chelsea, Lukaku chose to cast doubt on his long-term future at a club that has supported him so handsomely (financially and otherwise).
The thing is with loyalty, as you’ll see from the above definition, is that this is a virtue that should remain constant regardless of success or failure, especially when others place so much of their faith in you. Lukaku has ultimately distanced himself from Everton’s failings on the pitch, and sent out a come and get me plea to those currently occupying European football’s upper echelons.
Herein lies the problem with modern football in general. Far too many of our “heroes” seem fallible: somewhat lacking in moral decency in an age where footballers are paid more than ever. The laughable thing about the whole situation is that Lukaku has rarely looked anything like the £28 million man that most expected him to be, and the player himself is exhibiting just why Jose Mourinho saw fit to part ways with the promising youngster.
At his best when faced with a large amount of space in which to move into, Lukaku’s obvious technical deficiencies have been exasperated by Everton’s slow, and at times, static attacking game, which rarely caters to the strengths of the likes of either the Belgian or the struggling Ross Barkley. The former remains a talent of considerable promise-an investment, if you like- however, all the talk of a transfer after such an underwhelming year leaves a sour taste in the mouth for most associated with Everton. Indeed, ask most Evertonians if the 21-year-old has done enough to justify the large outlay and the answer is unlikely to be in the affirmative.
Of course, it’s perhaps inevitable that the likes of Lukaku and his fellow countryman, Kevin Mirallas, will do everything it takes to see their names bandied about in the press, especially given the role played by 21st century agents in moving players on quickly, for large amounts of money. It is fair to say that, with the high player turnover seen across much of the footballing world, we are in an age where money, fame and glory count for more than respect and steady progression. This movement towards the superficial not only explains Lukaku’s position, but also highlights the precarious situation in which the likes of Everton find themselves.
Despite last year’s relative success (and by relative, I mean that this was yet another trophyless season), 5th and 6th place finishes are ephemeral when set amidst an ensuing six months of stagnation and regression. Clubs such as ours are merely viewed as a stepping-stone to “bigger and better” things. It is therefore unsurprising that the likes of Mirallas and Lukaku, with no personal connection to the clubs that they play for, exhibit little or no loyalty when faced with the promise of a big payday and a move to a Champions League team. Loyalty, as a commodity, is seemingly only evident when a player is already at a club that is challenging for major honours. This is, unfortunately, the Catch-22 situation that most second-tier Premier League clubs ultimately find themselves in- develop a player, and indeed a team, in order to progress, only to know that said player is likely to leave at the first promise of bigger and better things…
