Lukaku slams Everton for 'living in the past'

Romelu Lukaku has provided an explanation for his potential departure from Everton this summer, accusing the Merseyside club of "living in the past."

The Premier League's joint-top scorer is apparently unwilling to sign terms that will make him the best-paid player in Everton history, sparking speculation that he could be set for a lucrative return to Chelsea alongside Toffees teammate Ross Barkley.

Related - Report: Chelsea considering £100M double swoop for Lukaku, Barkley

Now, considering the sentiments expressed at Wednesday's "Kick It Out" event at Everton's training ground, it seems that it will take a huge change in mentality and a significant postseason spend under manager Ronald Koeman to retain Lukaku's services.

"Obviously stuff is changing and stuff is happening, but there were some players that we could have got, that I knew the club could have got, and they didn’t get," Lukaku said, according to the Guardian's Ben Fisher. "And they are playing in this league. I am not saying names, but they are doing well.

"Everton as a football club has a great history. But the future has to be written. You get me? Because we always talk about the teams of the '80s and '70s and if you look it was great. But we as players, we want the fans talking about us instead of us talking about them."

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

He added: "Instead of living in the past, you have to think ahead. How this club has to grow, how this club has to improve, which player does it want to bring in so you can challenge for the big trophies?"

Even if Everton does flex its financial muscle in the summer, immediately surpassing the current top six will be a near-impossible feat. Now aged 23, Lukaku gave the impression he doesn't want to hang around to see that potential fruition, and is ready for the next step in his career.

"You need the platform to show yourself," he said, after confidently declaring he can become one of the world's best strikers. "Then you are talking about Champions League and whatever types of games. I don't want to go into details on that but you just follow the path that is in front of you. Whatever type of situation, I just try to deliver.

"You want to show who is best. But as a team you want to be the best. I want my team to be the best. I want my team to be the most attractive to play in the league. The big aim in football is to win as many titles as you can."

There is no silverware forthcoming for Lukaku this term, with seventh-placed Everton welcoming relegation-threatened Hull City to Goodison Park on Saturday.