Lukaku: I want to play in the champions league

Everton star Romelu Lukaku has admitted to casting his thoughts towards a future playing in the Champions League.

The Belgium striker. who has displayed a level of consistency that belies his 22 years, has scored 25 goals so far in a stellar season and is looking like becoming the first Toffee to score 30 in a campaign since Gary Lineker in 1986.

But despite his continued brilliance, Everton remain mid-table, with an FA Cup semi-final – brought about by Lukaku’s demolition of Chelsea – keeping their season alive.

Reports have suggested Lukaku could move on from Goodison this summer and while he says he is not interested in a “fight” with the club about his future, he admits to thinking about where he could one day play.

Speaking to a number of national newspapers, he said: “That’s looking far ahead and I don’t want to do that. I’m 23 this summer. I have been playing [professionally] since I was 16 and never had a taste of the Champions League. It is going to be seven years. You think about it – if it is going to happen? Champions League football is really the next step.

“If something happens, it will be for the good of the club. I don’t want to leave in a fight, if it happens. I won’t say this or that, it is going to be good for me personally and for the club.”

Boss Roberto Martinez invested in Lukaku when it was clear Chelsea did not see a future for him and, as such, the striker is grateful for the faith shown in him.

“They were the ones who believed in me at a time when nobody believed in me and they gave me a platform to perform,” he added.

“I have tried to repay them by doing good performances, but I have an agent who deals with the interest. I do not want to be bothered with it. I just want to play my football.

“I have an open relationship with the manager. I will be honest enough with him to say what I think. But we have 10 more games to go and we are not at that point yet.”

Soccer60.com Stats

Lukaku, who has scored 63 goals in 118 matches for Everton.

TROPHIES

Club Domestic
Pro League	Winner	1x	2009/2010
	Runner-up	1x	2008/2009
FA Cup	Winner	1x	2011/2012
Super Cup	Winner	1x	2010/2011
	Runner-up	1x	2008/2009
Club International
UEFA Champions League	Winner	1x	2011/2012
UEFA Super Cup	Runner-up	1x	2013/2014
International Champions Cup	Runner-up	1x	2013
Premier League Asia Trophy	Runner-up	1x	2015