Ronald Koeman: 'Romelu Lukaku needs to improve'

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku celebrates with manager Ronald Koeman after scoring the opening goal in his side's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on September 30, 2016
© SilverHub
Everton manager Ronald Koeman believes that Romelu Lukaku still needs to improve, but admits that his side cannot afford to lose the striker this summer.

Everton manager Ronald Koeman has admitted that the club need to keep Romelu Lukaku this summer, but called on the Belgian striker to improve certain aspects of his game.

Lukaku turned down the option to extend his contract at Goodison Park earlier this year and now has just over two years remaining on his current deal, leading to speculation that he could leave the club this summer.

The 24-year-old was the Premier League's top scorer before Harry Kane overtook him with his four-goal haul against Leicester City on Thursday evening, and Koeman acknowledged that he needs to look at sharing the goalscoring mantle more evenly next season.

"Even if he doesn't win the golden boot, 24 goals is a good number," he told reporters.

"He can improve - he knows that by himself. He is just 24 years old and he can improve, and needs to in several aspects, as a nine, as a target man - to keep the ball better, be stronger and do better pressing in front. But that is what we work on to improve.

"What we need is to keep his goals and find more players to score more than four or five in one season."

Lukaku has failed to score in his last four games, having netted 12 times in his previous 10 outings.

Ross Barkley in action during the Premier League game between Everton and Burnley on April 15, 2017
Read Next:
Koeman not confident about Barkley stay
>
You May Like
Recomended from Sports Mole



Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CChelsea38303585335293
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs38268486266086
3Manchester CityMan City38239680394178
4Liverpool382210678423676
5Arsenal38236977443375
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd381815554292569
7Everton3817101162441861
8Southampton381210164148-746
9Bournemouth381210165567-1246
10West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom38129174351-845
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham38129174764-1745
12Leicester CityLeicester38128184863-1544
13Stoke CityStoke381111164156-1544
14Crystal Palace38125215063-1341
15Swansea CitySwansea38125214570-2541
16Burnley38117203955-1640
17Watford38117204068-2840
RHull City3897223780-4334
RMiddlesbrough38513202753-2628
RSunderland3866262969-4024