Jagielka: Lukaku went home a happy boy and we hope he’s happier Sunday
Everton skipper has come out in support for under fire striker Romelu Lukaku and says that people are judging him differently now he has a high price tag.
Jagielka says that hat-trick hero Lukaku who has 13 goals this season has been bought for many season and not just one and people are forgetting that he is still only 21 and will only get better.
Lukaku now has 98 goals in league football and at the age of 21 is well ahead of the likes of 25 year old Daniel Sturridge.
“We’ve never had an issue, but people talk,” said the England centre-half. “When he’s farmed out on loan, there’s no big fee.
“When he’s bought, he’s exactly the same player, but unfortunately there’s a price tag by the side of him.
“As soon as the price tag comes in, people want to have a bit harsher opinion. It goes from one season or two seasons when there was a lot of potential, to now he should be the full package because you’ve paid a lot of money for him, even though he’s still a young man.
“We’ve paid a lot of money for him, not just for one season, but for the future. Hopefully he’s come home smiling and happy footballers usually play better.”
“Time will tell,” he said. “We’d like him to, but it’s a different style of play. I can’t see Leicester being as open at the back as Young Boys were on Thursday.
“It will be a slightly different type of game, but goals breed confidence. Rom went home a happy boy and hopefully will come back Sunday even happier.”
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