c1982

Could it be that Martinez's tactics isolate Lukaku? Belgium have been awful. I really like the look of Monalos - could be a good alternative to Keane for us to pursue if needed.

Schneiderlin is unlikely to be fit either!

It makes sense for this contract to be signed with a £70m + buyout beginning summer 2018. We don't look likely to sell this summer so there's not a lot he can do and he's not going to waste a year on whatever he is at the mo when there's £140k or whatever on offer in this new contract. With an acceptable release clause (for all parties) we protect our investment. Replacing him is not a job for this summer - we need him and Barkley signed up to make the likes of Keane, etc. think this is an exciting project to be part of.

This is why I wasn't too bothered about Barkley being unused the other night.

Serious question... can you name a player (in your opinion of course) who would realistically come to us who would be better for us than Lukaku? I personally couldn't but I rate him as one of the best strikers in world football.

He'll get one right eventually!!!

Southgate showing loyalty to those who have done well for him in the u21s - no harm having a look in friendlies I suppose. I think Ross may have a part to play in the actual qualifier.

Fixed it myself this time!

There are a few that fit that criteria.

That wouldn't make sense so don't think it will happen. Rooney will come to play with a main striker which will hopefully and most likely be Lukaku.

Livermore is playing a completely different role to what Ross would though. Alli and Lallana are in ahead of Ross and that's probably fair enough - both excellent players. Livermore is there to suit the system - Henderson would be playing that role if fit. Davies could easily slot in and can see him doing so before the end of the year.

He's already looked out of his depth in this league for West Brom and Leicester so a big NO from me. He's another Rhodes, Gestede, Gayle, McCormack, Nugent etc who looks great in the Championship but that's their level.

I really like him. Looked excellent when Chelsea gave him some game time last season. I'd love us to get him.

They're my hopes too.

I'd see him as a good back-up option for us. I like him but we should be and will be looking at better. Keane and van Dijk must be our main priorities in the summer to improve us defensively. I see Maguire as a perfect signing for teams like Stoke and WBA.

Not a great game at all but he still ends up with 2 goals and an assist. That's why he's amongst the best strikers in world football.

Ross just ahead of Gana for me. Special mention for Valencia.

If Rom's doing it on the pitch then it shouldn't matter what's going on off it. As long as his performances are benefitting us then he plays. If this changes then it's a different story. He wants to play at a higher level - fair enough - to get there he'll benefit us with his goals in turn raising his profile and price. I'd certainly rather know now than in August if he's leaving (which of course Koeman et al will decide) as we've got time now to make sure we get what we need in first. As Osman said, this should stay in house but it hasn't and Rom will have to deal with the reaction - I for one will be supporting him as I do any player with our badge on their chest. I expect he'll bag a couple today and go on to be the golden boot winner this season - benefitting him but more importantly Everton FC.

Exactly!

Basically Lukaku is saying 'Nil satis nisi optimum'.

He's honest, he's ambitious, he expects more from the club we all expect more from. It's as much a kick up the arse to team mates to keep it going over the last 10 games - even a kick up the arse to those above that we need real quality in the summer if we want that next level. I'm certain many will have a problem with this but as long as he keeps doing his job as he has been doing then his ambitions are justifiable. Koeman said himself last summer we need to match these ambitions if we're going to keep this standard of player and that doesn't just go for Lukaku.

Depends if he's settled in the North West with Chelsea link and how much love he has for Man U with the City link. I don't necessarily see him as a first choice target for either to be honest - think Conte will look to Italy and Pep will have 'bigger' targets - possibly van Dijk or back in for Laporte. I know Keane was a high priority for Walsh/Leicester last summer and Koeman has made no secret of our interest so I'd say we've got a decent chance. I fully expect him to get his first cap in the upcoming internationals which will no doubt create more interest/hype.

I thought he was excellent today. I was really impressed with his forward passing - something I hadn't noticed he had in his game. Obviously he's a big, strong lad who's got the usual attributes you'd expect from an 'old fashioned' centre back but actually I thought he looked very comfortable in possession today.