Everton’s Romelu Lukaku: It’s not Jose Mourinho’s fault I left Chelsea

Romelu Lukaku says Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho shouldn’t be criticised for allowing the Belgian to join Everton loan.

The 20-year-old has scored three goals and made one assist in two appearances for the Toffees following his deadline day switch to Goodison Park last month.

Meanwhile, Chelsea strikers Demba Ba, Samuel Eto’o and Fernando Torres are all struggling to find form, but Lukaku is adamant he asked to leave the Blues.

“I did not know if I would be playing for Chelsea so I asked the manager to let me leave. We spoke and I told him,” Lukaku told the Daily Telegraph.

“It’s unfair to criticise Mourinho for letting me go because it was my decision.

“He knows what he is doing. He has won so many titles and I have too much respect for him to wish anything but the best.

“But there comes a point where you must think about yourself to show everyone that you can shine and be one of the best strikers in the league.

“I could have stayed and fought, but it was not about the competition. When you are a 20-year-old you need minutes. I lost my place in the national team because I did not play for a year with Chelsea.

“I want that position back. I want to be in a top team and play. You only get better if you play so the best thing was to leave.

“He’d called me into his office 10 days before the end of the window. I did not want to tell him what I wanted to do at that point, but he was very open and direct.

“I always wanted to work under him and even the time in pre-season he taught me lots I’m grateful for but I had to make a choice.”