By support

12th Nov, 2016 | 8:18pm

Barry Horne delivers verdict on Everton star man

By Harvey Byrne

Barry Horne has stated that he is “not 100% convinced” Romelu Lukaku could play for a club like Bayern Munich or Barcelona.

The 23-year-old record Toffees signing was heavily linked with a move away from Goodison Park in the summer following a dismal campaign for the club, which saw them without European football.

However, following a conversation with Ronald Koeman in the window he decided to stay with Everton where he has scored an impressive seven goals in 11 appearances.

Now Horne, who played for the club for four years between 1992 and 1996 has stated that he remains doubtful whether Lukaku can play for a top level club as he doesn’t dominate some matches.

“I think Ronald Koeman’s comments about Romelu Lukaku have been misconstrued mischievously, I have to say,” wrote Horne in his column for the Liverpool Echo.

“I think it’s an honest appraisal and a compliment to the player.

“It’s in no way a denigration of Everton as a football club and as an Evertonian I was not at all offended.

“What he’s saying is that this player could be playing for the European elite.

“That’s not to say Everton is not a great club, that’s to say they are not Barcelona or Bayern Munich.

“I’m pretty sure that the Belgian could end up at one of those clubs but I’m not 100% convinced because he does have these spells where he doesn’t dominate games.”

Lukaku had gone on a 13 match run without a goal towards the end of the last campaign and the start of this season.

He also received criticism from the club’s fan base on Twitter after his latest display against former club Chelsea, with many claiming he was anonymous.

The Stamford Bridge outfit were the player’s last elite club and he may be more reluctant to return to one having failed to score in 15 encounters for the club.

In other Everton news, Paul Merson shared his shock regarding this Toffees ace.