The Everton star has netted seven times this season.
Speaking to The Mail, Martin Keown has claimed that Everton hitman Romelu Lukaku has evolved from a “bit of a pussycat” into a “real tiger”.
The 23-year-old has been in fine form for Everton so far this season.
With 10 Premier League games under his belt, the big Belgian striker has netted seven times as the Toffees sit seventh in the table.
The former Chelsea man netted 25 times in all competitions last season, having scored 20 in the previous campaign, and it seems as if he is improving year-on-year.
That being said, he does, at times, suffer major dips in form, having gone eight matches without finding the net last term.
And although Keown has likened him to a “pussycat”, the former Premier League defender has suggested that Lukaku has grown into a far more vicious specimen these days.
“He’s been a bit of a pussycat at times but now he looks like a real tiger. He is prone to dips in form and intensity, but the Belgian seems to be turning into the player we all expected him to be,” he told The Mail.
“He’s so important to Everton and if he fulfils his potential he could be world class. He can embarrass defenders in a one-on-one situation with his pace and power and he’s still so young at 23, but it’s up to Ronald Koeman to make sure he’s in the mood more often than not.”
In addition to his seven Premier League strikes, Lukaku also has three assists under his belt in a stat which illustrates just how important he is for Everton.
But, having come close to losing his star man in the summer, manager Ronald Koeman will already be on the hunt for a replacement, if in the likely event that the Belgium ace leaves Goodison Park in the summer.
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