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Funny how perceptions can shift.

Here's Roberto Martinez, speaking on Friday at his media briefing ahead of today's trip to Manchester United.

“What we shouldn't be afraid about is losing payers because we are in a position where financially we can compete against anyone in world football at this time.”

And here's Martinez speaking in August.

“We've got to a point now, in life and in football, where money can't buy everything. That's going to be a very strong statement from Everton; we want to be a winning side.”

The first comment was regarding the possibility of Romelu Lukaku leaving. The second, John Stones.

What's happened in between, of course, is the arrival of new investor, Iranian billionaire Farhad Moshiri.







And, thanks to Lukaku, Moshiri is now facing his first real test.

Everton indeed made a statement when, last summer, they rejected three bids from Chelsea for Stones and a transfer request from the player himself.

Stones, at least publicly, didn't put up much of an argument. Everyone continued with their business.

Lukaku's situation, though, is slightly different.

The striker has been making noises for some time about wanting to play in the Champions League and there can be no argument, as there was with Stones, that a move to a 'bigger' club would be too much, too soon.

Lukaku has shown constantly this season that he is ready.

Speaking last month, he addressed the issue of departing Goodison this summer by saying: “I don't want to leave in a fight, if it happens.”

But it will be a fight. Both sides will do the usual skirting around the issue, saying the right things to not want to fall out with supporters, then the crunch moment will arrive.

And then Moshiri has to ask himself the question: does he really want his first statement as a major investor to be selling Everton's best player?

What kind of signal will that send out? That the Blues can have all the money they want but that doesn't mean they can keep hold of their talent?

Sure, they could get more than £50million for Lukaku. But is there a striker of equal talent willing to come to the club?

Of course, the striker wanting to leave is no reflection on Moshiri, who is still getting his feet under the table at Goodison.

However, he's left him with an impending problem.

Lukaku may not want a fight. But the fact is both sides are now taping up – the gloves are being put on.

Blink and you'll miss him

Well, that didn't last long.

Emmanuel Eboue signed for Sunderland on March 9. Three weeks later, he was gone.

Eboue has been banned by FIFA for a year after failing to pay money to a former agent.

Not clever, yes. A dispute, yes. But one that prevents someone from working in their profession for a year?

This, of course, is a FIFA that allows clubs to go two months without paying players.

Remind us, who exactly do supporters go to watch? The players or their agents?