Lukaku: ‘Things were broken’ between us and Martinez

Matt Stead

Romelu Lukaku has hinted Roberto Martinez lost the support of the players at Everton before being sacked by the club earlier this month.

Martinez was relieved of his duties before the final game of the season against Norwich City, the day after overseeing a 3-0 defeat at Sunderland which had ended their hopes of even a top-half finish in the Premier League.

Lukaku said: “The team did not perform at all. We won two of our last 11 games. When things are broken between the manager and the players, it become difficult.”

Lukaku says he has “already made a decision” about where he will be playing his football next season, with his father claiming earlier this month Everton were willing to sell for around £65million.

Chelsea are reported to be confident of re-signing the 23-year-old, who is said to feel he has ‘unfinished business’ at Stamford Bridge.

“In my head, I know where I want to go but I’m keeping that to myself,” Lukaku said.

“You will know when it is concluded. I have to make a good choice but in my head that has happened already.”

“I have played in England for five years now, it’s my league. But there are other nice clubs. I follow Spanish and German football and I also have something for the Italian league.

“Wherever I go, I want to win prizes. During Leicester’s title ceremony, I was standing just 10 metres from the trophy. I just stared at it for two minutes, forgetting to get on with the warm-up. I thought to myself, I want that.”