How Samuel Eto'o Can Help Romelu Lukaku Become a Clinical Finisher

Roberto Martinez has done more than find regular support for Romelu Lukaku this season.

By bringing in Samuel Eto'o, he not only has a viable alternative option to start in attack, but he now has a player who can pass on valuable experience to the Belgian and help progress his game.

Lukaku's career has begun in impressive fashion. His scoring record is already up with the Premier League's best, and purely as a finisher, he's undoubtedly highly skilled.

Indeed, it's hard to remember the powerful forward is still only 21, such is his prolific record to date:

However, as with any young talent, there is a large amount of potential to go about reaching. What makes Lukaku such an exciting prospect is how much he's already achieved; still at such a primitive stage of his career, a typical progression could eventually make him an elite talent.

Eto'o's presence can help to accelerate this process. While he's not suddenly going to deliver Lukaku a silky first touch or add any power to his shot, his presence can help advance the more subtle side of the Belgian's game: how he thinks and how he moves.

Mental areas, such as movement, anticipation and decision-making are key aspects for any striker in the final third.

For a forward to score, he has to shoot, but finding the opportunity to unleash regular shots from the best possible position requires these mental attributes.

	Eto'o CFC 13/14	Lukaku EFC 13/14	Eto'o Inter 10/11
Games (sub)	16(5)	29(2)	35
Minutes	1304	2561	2962
Goals	9	15	21
Goals per 90	0.62	0.53	0.64
Shots	59	98	122
Shots per 90	4.1	3.4	3.7
Chances Created	22	33	62
Chances per 90	1.5	1.2	1.9

Lukaku is already accomplished in these areas, especially in his movement—much of which is missed by Everton's attacking midfielders—but Eto'o can help him reach the next level in these departments. In his prime, the former Inter Milan striker was one of the very best finishers in the game.

Looking back at his recent year at Chelsea, as well as one of his most recent seasons at Inter, Eto'o has always been quick to fire off a shot. Training and working with the former Cameroon captain, this is an area Lukaku will improve on simply by picking his brains.

Elsewhere, Eto'o is also more proficient at linking up with others and supplying chances to his team-mates. As Lukaku develops, this awareness is another trait he can begin absorbing from Eto'o by appreciating the potential space for others around him.

If the Belgium forward can deliver more chances and shots per 90 minutes, such a rounded improvement would make him even more of a handful for opposing teams.

Having purchased Lukaku on a permanent basis, his progression is now paramount to Everton, both on and off the field. Martinez has done the smart thing in recruiting a former great to help mould and develop his record signing. 

With Eto'o's influence, Lukaku has a better chance of becoming a future great himself.

Statistics via WhoScored.com.

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