Romelu Lukaku Talks About Desire to Play for 'Top Club'

Less than a year after arriving at Everton for a club-record fee of £28 million, Romelu Lukaku has expressed his desire to one day represent a "bigger club."

Speaking to The Sun (h/t Sky News) following Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to former club Chelsea, the Belgium striker put forth the notion that he has no intention of remaining at Goodison Park in the long term:

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It was brilliant to play at Chelsea, and I had a good reception. They know I’m a good player but that I want to develop so I can eventually get back to playing for a club like Chelsea. I don’t have a secret ambition to rejoin—there are other clubs in the world. I just want to grow as a player and eventually arrive at a top club again.

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It would appear one thing the 21-year-old isn't short on is confidence, despite only managing to score seven goals in 25 league appearances this campaign.

Last season, while on loan at Goodison Park, Lukaku netted 15 times in 31 Premier League appearances, encouraging the Merseyside outfit to invest so heavily in his permanent transfer. The Daily Mail's Joe Strange attests that Lukaku has used poor judgement in his wording:

The controversy among Evertonians may of course relate to Lukaku implying that they are not a "top club." The striker having ambition is no fault in itself, but his decreeing as much so publicly may be interpreted as a bid to engineer an exit already.

Earlier this week, Toffees chief Roberto Martinez was quoted by Paul Joyce of the Daily Express as brushing off any doubts regarding Lukaku's price tag, hailing the talents of his front man:

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The market sets the value. If you said Bony went to Man City for the same money and how old is he? I am looking at Rom and what he done for us from day one is taken responsibility. He is a '10.' He comes in, wants to help the team and is always available. You couldn’t get a better, safer investment than him as a young man.

The world is at his feet really. I don’t see it as a poor investment or expensive investment. He has scored more goals than last season at this stage [10 compared to nine] and the second half of the season will be his best. He has become a better player than last season there are no two ways about it. The time to assess is at the end of the season, but he has been a cheap signing for us what he is.

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The youngster's comments will not leave Everton feeling that they need to sell, but Lukaku has put the word out that his intention is to eventually become part of something "bigger."

Clive Rose/Getty Images

However, if Europe's giants are to believe he's capable of fulfilling the potential first shown at Anderlecht, he may first need to rediscover his better form and start firing again.

The forward has scored just one goal in his last 11 league outings, averaging less than a goal every three games and so far struggling to live up to the expectations put on him upon moving last summer.