Everton’s Kevin Mirallas: I convinced Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku to join

Kevin Mirallas has claimed he helped convince Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku to join Everton on a season-long loan.

The 20-year-old striker completed a temporary switch to the Merseyside outfit minutes before the deadline on Monday after also being linked with a return to West Bromwich Albion.

Lukaku, who joined Chelsea in 2011, scored an impressive 17 top-flight goals for the Baggies last term and was widely tipped to return to Steve Clarke’s side for the 2013/14 campaign.

But Belgium international Mirallas revealed he urged Lukaku to join the Toffees.

“I was with Romelu in his room at the team hotel on Monday night, and I only left when I was sure he was joining us,” Mirallas said.

“I was surprised to learn we were in for him, because there had been no inkling, but once I got word, I really went to work.

“I just tried to convince him that Everton was the right step to take and he would love it at Goodison, and I’m really pleased he took it on board,’ Mirallas added.

“With Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o all jostling for places up front at Chelsea, and Romelu likely to be on the bench, it made sense to go out on loan again. It made even more sense to choose Everton, and I’m delighted he has.”