Everton were dubbed ‘the school of science’ in the early 1970s for their intoxicating brand of attractive football, and after David Moyes’ more rugged decade in charge, Roberto Martinez’ progressive philosophy has reverted the club back to its expansive roots.
Indeed, in the Spaniard, the Toffees have found another chief professor, educating the Premier League on the beautiful game’s purist ideals. Yet one experiment at the school of science isn’t paying off quite so fruitfully; Martinez’ attempts to utilise club-record signing Romelu Lukaku as an effective force out wide.
The tactic has worked well in the past – particularly against Arsenal last season. Lukaku’s power, pace and quality tore apart left-back Nacho Monreal, paving the way for a 3-0 victory – one goal provided by the Belgium international. It was a complete mismatch in every respect, an effective unorthodoxy that lead to many heralding Martinez as a tactical genius, some even claiming it highlighted how he’d now surpassed Arsene Wenger in that regard.
This season however, the ploy is yet to bear positive fruits, in fact, every display from Lukaku in the wide-right role has been largely negative. Against Liverpool, the 21 year-old seemed almost surprised by the physicality of summer signing Alberto Moreno. The Spain international may measure in at just 5 foot 7, but in comparison to passive compatriot Monreal, he’s aggressive, bullish and imposing.
Likewise, Martinez moved Lukaku out wide at half time against Manchester United, with the Toffees 1-0 down and lacking an outlet in the final third. But the 6 foot 3 striker found similar problems against Luke Shaw, unable to contest the full-back’s nippiness when cutting inside and never truly testing the space behind him.
What will concern Everton fans most is the weaknesses both substandard performances exposed in Lukaku’s game, particularly in regards to link-up play.
He’s by no means a natural suitor to wide roles and a victim of his own previous successes, the striker is often held to exceptionally high standards that the vast majority of 21 year-olds wouldn’t be expected to maintain.
But whenever attempting to move inside or find a fellow Evertonian to link-up with, Lukaku looked cumbersome and slow – resembling closer Emile Heskey than his idol, Didier Drogba. The shape of his runs were undynamic, his dribbling lines were predictable and his passing in general was particularly disappointing.
One can certainly question Martinez’ decision to take Lukaku away from his natural position, especially against Manchester United. Their centre-back partnership consisted of Marcos Rojo, a lightweight Argentine who has featured more commonly at left-back as centrally over the last few seasons, and academy graduate Paddy McNair, in his second-ever Premier League appearance. If there was ever a match for the Belgium international to assert his physical authority, it was surely against United’s ad hoc defensive line-up.
Likewise, Liverpool have been plagued with defensive woes all season as they try to blend three summer signings into their back four – weaknesses, especially between centre-halves Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel, were there to be exploited. And after all, we’re talking about a centre-forward with a strike rate of 35 goals in 83 appearances in the Premier League; he needs – and has deserved the right- to be as close to the goal as possible.
Yet, Lukaku’s transition out wide is in part his own doing. Two goals in seven appearances is below the level we’ve come to expect from the former Chelsea prodigy over the last few seasons, whilst strike-partner Steven Naismith has already found the net four times.
In comparison, his link-up play and attitude since Roberto Martinez took the reins last summer has been thoroughly superb. The simple fact of the matter is, without surrendering Everton’s shape, if Lukaku isn’t performing as desired, Martinez has no choice but to hand the central role to the in-form Scot. Where Lukaku then fits in becomes a secondary concern.
The ultimate question is what does the failings of Martinez’ experimentation with Lukaku demonstrate more? A dangerously idealistic approach from a progressive manager in believing a 6 foot 3, 21 year-old striker would have the knowledge and skills set to be effective out wide? Or how Everton’s club record-signing is much further away from becoming a complete centre-forward than his goal tally and price-tag might initially suggest?
There’s clearly some common ground in between. Lukaku’s deployment on the right wing against Arsenal felt purposeful – this season however, it’s had more of a hopeful, almost desperate vibe. Similarly, although Martinez has demanded a lot, if the 21 year-old is to emerge as the world-class striker he’s heralded to become, adaption and versatility are important characteristics.
But one thing is for certain; using Lukaku as a wide player for extended periods, rather than on selective, fitting occasions, simply does not work.
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