Everton have within their side potentially one of the best strikers outside of the top four. Their record signing, Romelu Lukaku, arrived at Goodison Park after a successful loan spell the previous season. It is only now, are we starting to see a return on the £28m splashed out by the Toffees.

The Belgian star failed to make the grade while at Chelsea, despite the club having shelled out around £18m to bring him to West London. It is during the loan spells of his career, where the 22-year old has really shone. Time at West Brom and then a move to Merseyside, initially on loan, gave the hitman a growing reputation.

His first season as a permanent fixture under Roberto Martinez was not exactly prolific. However, the former Chelsea man is a force to be reckoned with. During the impressive 3-0 victory over Southampton, he scored with his first two shots on target and displayed exactly the sort of attributes that saw him named as one of the most exciting young footballers in Europe back in 2014.

A lethal blend of pace and power, the 6ft 3 frontman is a powerhouse. He was quoted this summer as saying ‘if I get the ball and start running, just get out the way, because you’ll be on the floor.’ Not many strikers plying their trade outside of the established big boys in the Premier League are simply as good as on-song Lukaku.

His time at Chelsea proved to be frustrating. Despite a complete lack of cut throat frontmen, he was farmed out on loan and never really given to chance to prove himself. Questions about his commitment were raised, but he looks more determined than ever.

The Toffee revealed he had been training for up to three hours a day during the summer break, and looks to be reaping the rewards. Though Diego Costa and Sergio Aguero currently take the plaudits as the greatest goal-getters in the league, the Everton man still has time to develop.

Able to hold the ball up as the spearhead of an attack in either a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-31 formation, the bulking Belgian can lead the line for his side. However, in the early stages of this season we have seen a burgeoning partnership with Aruna Kone begin to flourish.

His link up play has been fantastic, assisting both the Ivorian and England international Ross Barkley so far this term.

Outside of Costa, Augero and (when he’s on form) Wayne Rooney, there is a rather large gulf in quality of striking stars in England. As international colleague Christian Benteke begins to impress in a Liverpool shirt, it is time for Lukaku to realise his full potential.

If this Toffee is to prove sweet after all, Everton have quite a player on their hands. As he hones his skills, it is becoming more and more evident why he has cost so much during his short career.

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