Everton FC : Three hopes, one fear

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HALEWOOD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Romelu Lukaku during the Everton FC training session at Finch Farm on August 18, 2016 in Halewood, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images) /

The big fear: That they do not have a replacement for Romelu Lukaku.

At some point Romelu Lukaku will leave Everton. It might not be during this transfer window but in the near future the Belgian international will be gone. At that point The Toffees will be in trouble.

Lukaku has been the centerpiece of the Everton attack for the past three seasons, racking up 61 goals in 127 appearances. Although his form has not always been world-class his scoring touch has. There are very few players who have that combination of size, speed, and nose for the goal in the Premier League.

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Although he might not always get the credit Lukaku is one of the best strikers in the world right now and eventually at some point one of the power clubs in Europe will make Everton in an offer that they cannot refuse.

Looking at Everton’s lineup it is difficult to see who could pick up the slack if Lukaku were to leave. The most obvious choice would be Arouna Kone. But Kone has scored just eight goals in four seasons. While he has not had many minutes in recent seasons in the time that he has played he has not exactly looked like someone who could start on a consistent basis. He will also be 33 in November. Koeman and Everton seem to smitten with Ross Barkley but he is more of an attacking midfielder than a pure striker.

If Lukaku were to leave this season it would leave the Everton attack in tatters. Without a dependable replacement available on their roster and with it being so late in the transfer window losing Lukaku would squelch any hope that the club might have at finishing in the top ten and any chance of winning the FA or League Cup.

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