José Mourinho: Why I let Romelu Lukaku go to Everton
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Chelsea manager José Mourinho has revealed that he decided to sell Romelu Lukaku because the young Belgian did not have the right mentality to compete for a place at the Blues.
The 21-year-old has been deemed surplus to requirements by Mourinho, despite having netted 32 Premier League goals during loan spells with both West Bromwich Albion and Everton.
And Lukaku on Wednesday finally completed a £28 million transfer to Everton, the club he had a successful loan spell last season scoring 16 goals in 33 appearances.
"The thinking behind the move was the fact that Romelu was always very clear with us, in his mentality, in his approach, he was not highly motivated to come to a competitive situation at Chelsea," Mourinho told reporters.
"He wanted to play for Chelsea but he wanted to be clearly the first choice striker, which in a club of our dimension, it is very difficult to promise to a player.
"That reduced immediately his desire to come to us. After that Everton came with an important offer and because we want to be inside the Financial Fair Play rules, you have to analyse these situations."
The Belgium international joined Chelsea three summers ago but made just 10 Premier League appearances for the Stamford Bridge outfit.
Mourinho added: "The important thing is he is happy and things work out for him. He is a good kid and has his way of thinking and organising his career project.
"All I can do is wish him well. He deserves luck and to be happy."
The 21-year-old has been deemed surplus to requirements by Mourinho, despite having netted 32 Premier League goals during loan spells with both West Bromwich Albion and Everton.
And Lukaku on Wednesday finally completed a £28 million transfer to Everton, the club he had a successful loan spell last season scoring 16 goals in 33 appearances.
"The thinking behind the move was the fact that Romelu was always very clear with us, in his mentality, in his approach, he was not highly motivated to come to a competitive situation at Chelsea," Mourinho told reporters.
"He wanted to play for Chelsea but he wanted to be clearly the first choice striker, which in a club of our dimension, it is very difficult to promise to a player.
"That reduced immediately his desire to come to us. After that Everton came with an important offer and because we want to be inside the Financial Fair Play rules, you have to analyse these situations."
The Belgium international joined Chelsea three summers ago but made just 10 Premier League appearances for the Stamford Bridge outfit.
Mourinho added: "The important thing is he is happy and things work out for him. He is a good kid and has his way of thinking and organising his career project.
"All I can do is wish him well. He deserves luck and to be happy."
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