Romelu Lukaku's decision to stay has Everton close to something special
Everton already look better than they did a year ago. That's not especially difficult, but considering their lack of signings and the absence of spectacular-but-wanting-out-striker Romelu Lukaku until late on Saturday, it was impressive. Ronald Koeman's first two matches with the Toffees were an unqualified success.
And now this.
So an already improving Everton side will now work in Lukaku. That's 23-year-old, 60-Premier-League-goals-in-the-last-four-seasons Lukaku. He-who-will-destroy-defenders'-souls Lukaku.
This might as well be a brand new signing for Everton. And a terrific one at that.
Now you look at Everton and you see the makings of something special. They haven't yet given Ashley Williams his first start and when he gets on the pitch, the defense will immediately get better. Then Lukaku will slide in up top and the Toffees will be truly improved in front and back. Toss in (admittedly overly expensive) new signing Yannick Bolasie and theres a much-needed creative player from the wing. All of that in a Koeman system that the team is already taking to and showing an ability to grind out results along with the potential to play some good soccer at times.
When you look at the Everton team, with Lukaku, Williams and Bolasie, you see the makings of something that could be special. They're certainly good enough to finish in the top half, maybe as high as seventh or even sixth, if everything goes right. But they're also not too far off from competing for even more.
All it would take for Everton is a couple signings to give them a shot at a real top-four challenge. It wouldn't make them favorites, or even likely, to nab a Champions League place, but it would put them in the mix.
They really do need another midfielder and while Maarten Stekelenburg was sensational against Tottenham in the season opener, he's the same man who got benched by Fulham a year ago. The Toffees need an upgrade at goalkeeper. With that then they might have what it takes to separate themselves from the mid-table crop and mount a challenge like Koeman's Southampton a year ago, who finished just three points out of fourth.
It's not as if Everton don't have the money either. Their net spend for the summer is still in the black and their wages haven't gone up exorbitantly. They're a well-run club who keep their finances in check, with manageable debt, and are raking in the cash from the new Premier League TV deal. There's also money that new majority owner Farhad Moshiri could throw in -- money former majority owner Bill Kenwright never made available to them.
It's easy to say spend money when it's not your money. Everton may be taking a long-term approach, with an eye on how to compete year-after-year for a decade-plus, making a big jump this season not as much of a priority. That would be good and well, a plan you couldn't criticize, but it's hard not to want to see them try to make the most of what they have now.
Without a couple more buys, Everton will still be good. And who knows, if Ross Barkley actually figures it out they might be able to mount a top-four challenge this season regardless. But without a little bit more, the Toffees will be a "what if?"
Lukaku is staying. Williams and Bolasie are in. Koeman's system is starting to to hold. Things are looking up at Goodison Park. Now they just need to take that leap.
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'@RonaldKoeman confirms @RomeluLukaku9 has told him he wishes to stay at Everton.
— Everton (@Everton) August 20, 2016
