Everton striker Lukaku coy on new Goodison deal but 'won't quarrel' with the BluesLukaku reflected on the summer and his future while away on international dutyRomelu Lukaku has refused to say whether he would sign a potential new contract at Everton - but insists he wants "no quarrel" with the Blues.
The 23-year-old striker was asked about the possibility of penning new terms at Goodison while away on international duty with Belgium.
But Lukaku - who admits it was Everton's refusal to sell him which prompted him to knuckle down on Merseyside for another season - was tight-lipped on talk of any longer-term commitment.
Asked for his thoughts on a possible new deal, he said: "You'll have to ask Mino (Raiola, his agent).
"I tell Mino how I think about it, and eventually we have to make a decision that is best for me. For me football is not about the money.
"I want to win prizes. But when I get into a situation where I can leave but my team will not let me, I'm not one to go absent, get fined and cultivate a negative reputation.
Lukaku's agent Mino Raiola
"I try to remain calm and treat my club with respect. Hopefully they can treat me also with respect and I can leave through the main gate.
"I will not quarrel with Everton"
Lukaku says he is interested in how Ronald Koeman can develop his game, after a difficult last term under Roberto Martinez, who is now his international manager.
However he admits he is still unhappy not to be plying his trade in European competition.
"Yes, it stings a little, but I'm someone who believes that everything happens for a reason," he said. "Otherwise I was going to go to Juventus instead of staying at Everton.
"I could have gone to Juventus" - Lukaku"But I opted for Everton and I have not done badly here.
"Now we have a new coach and it is completely different than with with Mr. Martinez. But I think I can make progress under Ronald Koeman. Perhaps the last step and then look further."
Asked for his reflections on the transfer window just gone and the speculation over his future he said: "Uh....it was different.
"I knew of the interest of a few clubs, but it was pretty soon clear that Everton would not let me go.
"It was important to me that I remained calm and that's what I did. I did not go into conflict. I said to myself: I do my best and who is what happens in the future. "
"Another two weeks and I'll be fine" - LukakuLukaku believes a return to full fitness is not far off.
"Another two weeks I think," he said. "I had a longer break than the rest. When I returned I immediately joined with all the rest of the squad but during a friendly match against Espanyol a player landed with his studs right in my Achilles tendon.
"I had a deep wound, there are six or seven stitches. I could do nothing. I came back and could not play right away and that was not the best for me. I have to bite my lip for another two weeks. It will be fine."
"I feel good, but I miss some sharpness. I do not burn like in my second year at Everton. Then I had to wait three or four months before I got to the right level. I do not want it to happen again. "
Lukaku provided an interesting take on training under previous Blues boss Martinez.
"Training under Martinez was based on Barkley and me" - LukakuHe said: "In the three years we have worked together, Ross Barkley and I were the ones with whom he worked most of the training.
"He asked us to stay longer because he believed in our potential. Not that we are already there or anything, but he knows perfectly where I can improve and he will also say.
"He is very direct with other players. Everything is very clear and everyone knows what to do on the pitch. I think that's positive for the rest of the team."
Lukaku was asked about the difference between Martinez as club and national coach.
"Here he has a choice of top players," he said. "In central defence he has Jan, Toby, Thomas, Vincent and others I forget.
"Ditto in midfield and up front. He knows that if you do not do well, he still has someone else. You can see that the level goes straight up, because he is not afraid to take a player from the team.
"He is offensive, but that does not mean he gives you complete freedom.
"He gives clear guidelines that you have to walk. Not like Marc Wilmots, which you could do in the last thirty meters what you wanted.
"Now we have certain tasks that we have to do in the last thirty meters to break through the defense. It takes a lot of time and energy to understand what the coach wants."
