Ronald Koeman clarified comments about the future of Romelu Lukaku at Everton.

Koeman was criticized during the international break, mainly by his own supporters, for suggesting Lukaku would not have fulfilled his potential if he finishes his career at the club.

Koeman was quoted in the Belgian newspaper HLN as saying: “His potential is greater and higher than Everton as a final destination. If Romelu was to play at Everton until the end of his career I know he has left something behind.”

Koeman said he was talking in terms of Everton's current Premier League status.

It is not to defend myself but you take the headline out of context. Of course what we like to show Romelu is that Everton will grow, we will be bigger and we will fight for titles. If you look now at Everton, and if Everton stays at this level, then of course it is not good that he finishes his career at Everton because he is one of the best strikers and he is still only 23.

“If he stays for more years that is not bad for his career, he is improving and learning and he is one of the better strikers that we have in the Premier League and in Europe. Of course there is a lot of interest in the player and finally the player needs to make a decision and a club needs to make a decision to accept – yes or no – but what I tried to do is keep Romelu for as long as possible at the club.”