Roberto Martinez has no fears about Romelu Lukaku being dragged into an agent inspired auction for his services this summer.
Across the park neighbours Liverpool have been forced to deal with an escalating war of words involving Raheem Sterling’s agent Aidy Ward.
Lukaku switched agents a month ago from Christophe Henrotay to Mino Raiola, who immediately undermined Blues boss Martinez by telling Belgian media outlet Sudpresse he would never have allowed the 21-year-old to leave Chelsea for Everton, adding: “The Everton directors don’t have to think Rom will play there for the rest of his career. Later on, he’ll play for one of world’s best teams: PSG, Manchester City, Manchester United or Bayern Munich. Big names.”
But Martinez is already planning for next season with Lukaku spearheading his forward line.
“I have no concerns at all,” he said. “I’ve said before Romelu is a vital player for us. He is someone we made a real big investment in because we believe in him.
“I always felt he has got the potential to become one of the best and it is not a worry whatsoever.
“At this present time all we want is for him to have a good break because last season coming back after the World Cup was tough and you have seen a different Romelu from January onwards. What we want is a good break for him and we will see the best of Romelu playing for Everton next season. I have no concerns about that at all.”
Raiola’s stable includes Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Mario Balotelli – he brokered Balotelli’s move to Merseyside last summer from Milan – but Martinez insisted he is focused on adding to his numbers this summer rather than losing significant players.
“His (Romelu’s) future is down to him, but it is down to us as well.
“It is making sure that we bring in enough competition as well because no-one has the position as a given.
“I think you need to earn the right to play for that number nine position at Everton. It is a historic position. It is not an easy fit but all we want is to be as strong as we can be going into next season and clearly Romelu Lukaku is one of the big players we are building the team around.”
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