Romelu Lukaku’s decision to leave Chelsea for Everton in 2014 was a bold one—and, in hindsight, arguably the right move for a young striker who needed consistent playing time to develop into a top-level forward.
Here’s why it made sense at the time:
Lack of Trust at Chelsea: Despite his strong loan spells (notably 17 league goals at West Brom and 15 at Everton), José Mourinho was unwilling to offer Lukaku the guaranteed starting role he craved. With Diego Costa newly signed, Fernando Torres still in the squad, and Didier Drogba returning, Lukaku would have been at best fourth choice.
Mourinho’s Management Style: The Portuguese manager was very clear—no player was going to be handed a starting spot without a fight. Lukaku’s desire for a more prominent role didn’t align with Mourinho’s philosophy.
Record Move and Confidence Boost: Everton’s €35 million offer was a club-record transfer fee, showing the kind of faith and importance they were placing on Lukaku. It gave him a team where he could be the focal point of the attack—crucial for a 21-year-old still developing.
Performance Justified the Move: Lukaku became Everton’s main man, scoring consistently and eventually earning big moves to Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Chelsea again. His time at Everton laid the foundation for his rise into one of Europe’s top strikers.
So, did he make the right choice?
Yes—Lukaku prioritized regular football over prestige, and that decision shaped his career positively. Had he stayed at Chelsea under Mourinho, he likely would have remained on the bench or been loaned out again, possibly stalling his growth.
While his Chelsea chapter ended without much impact, his ambition to lead the line elsewhere paid off. Everton gave him the platform—and he made the most of it.
