More

    Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /var/www/vhosts/theevertonforum.co.uk/tef2014/wp-content/plugins/td-cloud-library/state/single/tdb_state_single.php on line 315

    Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /var/www/vhosts/theevertonforum.co.uk/tef2014/wp-content/plugins/td-cloud-library/state/single/tdb_state_single.php on line 315

    Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /var/www/vhosts/theevertonforum.co.uk/tef2014/wp-content/plugins/td-cloud-library/state/single/tdb_state_single.php on line 315

    Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /var/www/vhosts/theevertonforum.co.uk/tef2014/wp-content/plugins/td-cloud-library/state/single/tdb_state_single.php on line 315

    Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /var/www/vhosts/theevertonforum.co.uk/tef2014/wp-content/plugins/td-cloud-library/state/single/tdb_state_single.php on line 315

    Martinez: Romelu wants to play for his friend Junior Malanda

    Martinez: Romelu wants to play for his friend Junior Malanda

    Everton manager Roberto Martinez has said that star striker Romelu Lukaku has been left shell-shocked over the loss of his close friend Junior Malanda who died in a car accident last week, but says that he wants to pay his respects on the pitch.

    Martinez also says that playing football is helping Lukaku and team mate Kevin Mirallas overcome the tragedy and that he has the full backing of the club and his team mates.

    “Junior was a close friend so obviously it was an incredible shock for Rom and for everyone,” said Martinez. “We all knew that Rom had that relationship with Junior because it was a talking point when we played Wolfsburg, the two of them facing each other.

    “We found out straight after the Man City game. It was such incredible news that it has been tough. Rom has been really affected. Everyone has to be honest, as we only played them not long ago.

    “It is so sad it is difficult to comprehend. Rom is really down about it. He is in constant contact with his family but he has been very strong over it. Playing football probably allows you to get rid of that feeling and that’s exactly what he needs. He trained well yesterday and we are all helping and supporting him.

    “They are such a footballing family. It is so sad what happened. It makes you appreciate not to take anything for granted in life. Rom is a very sensitive man and he had always been giving Junior good advice.

    “Junior was just breaking into the senior side with Belgium and you can imagine their group is very strong. Kevin Mirallas was very close to him too. Their feeling is they want to play football and show their respect on the pitch as well.”

    Related articles

    Comments

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Share article

    Latest articles

    Newsletter

    [tdn_block_newsletter_subscribe description="U3Vic2NyaWJlJTIwdG8lMjBzdGF5JTIwdXBkYXRlZC4=" input_placeholder="Your email address" btn_text="Subscribe" tds_newsletter2-image="753" tds_newsletter2-image_bg_color="#c3ecff" tds_newsletter3-input_bar_display="row" tds_newsletter4-image="754" tds_newsletter4-image_bg_color="#fffbcf" tds_newsletter4-btn_bg_color="#f3b700" tds_newsletter4-check_accent="#f3b700" tds_newsletter5-tdicon="tdc-font-fa tdc-font-fa-envelope-o" tds_newsletter5-btn_bg_color="#000000" tds_newsletter5-btn_bg_color_hover="#4db2ec" tds_newsletter5-check_accent="#000000" tds_newsletter6-input_bar_display="row" tds_newsletter6-btn_bg_color="#da1414" tds_newsletter6-check_accent="#da1414" tds_newsletter7-image="755" tds_newsletter7-btn_bg_color="#1c69ad" tds_newsletter7-check_accent="#1c69ad" tds_newsletter7-f_title_font_size="20" tds_newsletter7-f_title_font_line_height="28px" tds_newsletter8-input_bar_display="row" tds_newsletter8-btn_bg_color="#00649e" tds_newsletter8-btn_bg_color_hover="#21709e" tds_newsletter8-check_accent="#00649e" tdc_css="eyJhbGwiOnsibWFyZ2luLWJvdHRvbSI6IjAiLCJkaXNwbGF5IjoiIn19" embedded_form_code="YWN0aW9uJTNEJTIybGlzdC1tYW5hZ2UuY29tJTJGc3Vic2NyaWJlJTIy" tds_newsletter1-f_descr_font_family="521" tds_newsletter1-f_input_font_family="521" tds_newsletter1-f_btn_font_family="521" tds_newsletter1-f_btn_font_transform="uppercase" tds_newsletter1-f_btn_font_weight="600" tds_newsletter1-btn_bg_color="#dd3333" descr_space="eyJhbGwiOiIxNSIsImxhbmRzY2FwZSI6IjExIn0=" tds_newsletter1-input_border_color="rgba(0,0,0,0.3)" tds_newsletter1-input_border_color_active="#727277" tds_newsletter1-f_descr_font_size="eyJsYW5kc2NhcGUiOiIxMiIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTIifQ==" tds_newsletter1-f_descr_font_line_height="1.3" tds_newsletter1-input_bar_display="eyJwb3J0cmFpdCI6InJvdyJ9" tds_newsletter1-input_text_color="#000000" tds_newsletter1-input_border_size="eyJwb3J0cmFpdCI6IjEifQ=="]