• Premier League

Lukaku: I could stay at Everton

Romelu Lukaku is thriving on loan at Everton with seven Premier League goals to his name © AP

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Romelu Lukaku has revealed in an interview with BBC Football Focus he would consider staying at Everton instead of returning to Chelsea if Roberto Martinez's side qualify for the Champions League.

The forward, who has hit seven Premier League goals to fire Everton to seventh, also claimed to have not been in contact with Chelsea for two months.

When asked if he would stay at Everton, Lukaku said: "It's not a bad idea. If we play Champions League, yeah, why not?

"I was watching the games this week and I miss European football a lot. I would like to be successful at Chelsea but I have to work and grow and be a better player and then at the end of the season see what is the best decision for my career.

"It's a bit strange at the minute, the last time I heard from [Chelsea] was a couple of months ago. But I think they are watching my performances."

Lukaku looked set to play a prominent role for Chelsea this season after scoring 17 goals on loan at West Brom last term, but ended up moving to Merseyside on loan on transfer deadline day.

Jose Mourinho has been questioned over his decision to sanction the move, with his strikers Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto'o and Demba Ba scoring just three Premier League goals between them so far this season.

The Chelsea boss hit back at Lukaku in his Friday press-conference over the comments, questioning whether he has told the public his real reason for joining Everton.

However Lukaku - who made just eight league appearances in the 2011-2012 season after an £18 million move from Anderlecht - insists the move was purely down to a desire to play as much first-team football as possible.

"It was not the fact that I was not wanted, I was wanted but I had to make a decision for myself," Lukaku added.

"I had to analyse what the best was for me. Imagine if I was playing Chelsea now, I would play maybe five games, maybe score one or two goals.

"Look now I'm playing for Everton, I've played eight games and scored seven goals. Everybody in England is talking about me about my performances and as a player I'm improving, I'm having that certain consistency in my game."

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