Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku and Zakkari Bakkali arrive for training (Picture: AFP/Getty)

Romelu Lukaku has questioned whether he has a long-term future at Chelsea and insists he wants Everton to finish above the Londoners this season.

The Belgian striker was sent out on loan for the second year running on the final day of the transfer window, as Jose Mourinho agreed to let him join the Toffees for the season.

The move surprised many Blues fans who felt Lukaku was ready to challenge for a first team spot at Stamford Bridge.

Last week the 20-year-old – who has made a flying start to his Everton career with four goals in three matches – told Chelsea supporters to lay-off Mourinho insisting it was his choice, not the manager’s, to leave for another year after his spell with West Brom last term.




But, speaking to Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad while away on national duty, Lukaku said: ‘I couldn’t do much about it. The coach made his choice, and, as a player, you have to respect it. I went along with it, and it is now up to me to prove he was wrong.

‘It has been two years in a row now, and it does make you question things and wonder why. But that’s life. You just have to get on with it.

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Lukaku celebrates after scoring at Manchester City (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

‘The only thing I can do is play well and score as many goals as I can, and then maybe people will notice what I am about.’

Asked about Mourinho’s comments that he had no regrets about letting him go, Lukaku replied: ‘What can I say? Everyone has their own opinion on things.

‘I can only underline my case by scoring more goals than all the strikers currently at Chelsea, and that is what I will be striving to do this season.

‘I hope my goals will help Everton finish higher than Chelsea. I am at Everton for the season, and I want to do as well as I possibly can for them.’

Despite clearly being frustrated at Mourinho’s lack of faith the powerful Belgian insisted that his long-term desire is to force his way into the Chelsea first team.

‘I also hope Jose Mourinho and I are both at Chelsea for a long time, because I want the best for Chelsea and I know he is a good coach,’ he said.

‘I think he makes his decisions in good conscience and with the intention of doing the best he can for the club.’

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