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Phil Jagielka claims Romelu Lukaku is Chelsea’s not-so-secret weapon in the title race.

Jose Mourinho loaned out Lukaku to Everton, rather than having him kicking his heels at Stamford Bridge, and the striker has banged in seven goals in his nine appearances for the Blues.

Two of those goals helped Everton take two points off the Special One’s title rivals Liverpool in last Saturday’s Merseyside derby, while he also scored in the Blues’ defeat away to Manchester City.

Everton face Manchester United and Arsenal after the weekend visit of Stoke, and Jagielka says Lukaku can boost Chelsea’s Premier League hopes by doing more damage to their rivals with the Mersey Blues.

“It’s not a bad idea and way at looking at things from Chelsea’s perspective,” said the Everton skipper.

“Unfortunately for Rom, with Chelsea mainly playing one up front, he had a big decision to make whether to stay there and play five or 10 games a season or do what he did when he went to West Brom last season.

“I think he made the right decision. That’s already been proven and we’re only a third the way through the season.

“Potentially it can work for Chelsea. He can’t play against Chelsea, but can against everyone else.

“If he helps us perform against the so-called big boys and rivals of Chelsea, then it will be a very good decision by them.”

Jagielka, 31, claims the striker’s enthusiasm is infectious, although he isn’t so happy facing him in training. The England centre-half ­cleverly makes sure he is on the Belgian’s team as often as possible in their training matches.

(Image: Michael Steele)

“He loves playing football,” said Jagielka.

“The players are ­confident and they’re coming in with smiles on their faces. Rom has played a massive role with his goals, but also his presence on a day-to-day basis lifts everyone.

“He’s hard work to train against, though. I try to stay as far as way as possible.

“We don’t do too much contact stuff, but when we do it is difficult – as it is playing against any of our attacking players.

“I try to use my brain a little bit and choose him on my team or make him go on the left of the forwards. It makes my life a bit easier.”

As well as denting Chelsea’s rivals with his goals, Lukaku is boosting Everton’s European hopes. He was one of three shrewd ­deadline-day ­signings by Roberto Martinez as he more than made up for Marouane Fellaini’s ­departure by bringing in James McCarthy and Gareth Barry.

Ross Barkley has also ­established himself on the Premier League and England stage this season and Jagielka claims the Blues squad is stronger than 12 months ago.

He is optimistic about their prospects and while the Champions League may prove beyond them, he believes qualifying for the Europa League is a realistic target.

“We have pretty much finished outside of the top four, being one or two of the best teams for last 10 years and so have had that question thrown at us a few times,” he said.

“We would love to say ‘yes, we can finish in the top four’ but we have not proved that. The only way we can prove we have the confidence to be up there is to hopefully keep winning games, picking up points and keeping ourselves in the mix for as long as possible.

“Some of my most ­memorable nights have been in the UEFA Cup. It would be nice to get back there and the fans do love those trips. I’d love to go one step further and have the possibility of playing in the Champions League.

“And if we had a magic fairy to come and lend us a bit of money for a while, it would make it a little easier. But if we have to do things the hard way, we will do.

“It’s all about giving ourselves the ­opportunity come the last five to 10 games of the season to be pushing for at least a Europa league place, if not a little bit higher.”

Phil Jagielka was speaking at Everton’s Player of the Month event. Everton host various corporate occasions and for more information visit evertonfc.com/optimum or call 0151 530 5300.