Best of Premier League’s starting XI this season
By Liam Price
Romelu Lukaku (Everton)
Chelsea and Roman Abramovich, in particular, must wonder why they ever let this talent go and Everton must be thanking themselves for being able to secure Romelu Lukaku. I was fortunate to see him live last season when Everton decimated Norwich 3-0 at Goodison Park, where Lukaku netted the first goal of the game. By that point, Norwich’s fate was already sealed as they knew relegation was unavoidable but Lukaku and company did not make that any easier.
This season has been one of Lukaku’s finest as he became one of only five players to score 50 Premier League goals before his 23rd birthday and is in contention for the 2016/2017 Golden Boot award. Currently in second place with 16 goals to his name and an average of only 131 minutes per goal, Lukaku only falls short of Sergio Aguero (11 goals, 129 min/goal), Harry Kane (14 goals, 123 min/goal) and Alexis Sanchez (17 goals, 126 min/goal).
However, in comparison to the list above, Lukaku has the highest conversion rate of any of the top 10 scorers this season with 65% of his 33 strikes finding the back of the net.
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At such a young age, it will be interesting to see if Koeman can hold onto the star that he has. Earlier in the season, Koeman said: “His potential is greater and higher than Everton as a final destination. If Romelu was to play at Everton until the end of his career I know he has left something behind.” Though these statements seem to have fallen on deaf ears as Lukaku is allegedly in discussion for a new contract, perhaps Everton will build a title chasing squad around this young man?
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