Cottee: Everton’s Koeman made the difference to Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku’s form in the past year is down to his more predatory instincts under manager Ronald Koeman, according to former Toffees frontman Tony Cottee.

The Belgian bagged 26 goals in the season just gone, up one from his tally of the previous year and continuing the trend of increasing returns since he first joined the club on loan in 2013.

And Cottee, who played 184 times for Everton, scoring 99 goals, has put the Belgian’s form this season down to Koeman encouraging the 24-year-old – who looks set to leave Goodison Park this summer after shunning a new contract offer – to stay more central.

“He’s been outstanding in terms of his goal return and I would say the main reason he’s been so prolific this season is that he’s been down the middle of the pitch,” said Cottee.

Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images

“Last season [2015/16], he was drifting out wide to the right and left, dropping deep to get the ball and perhaps getting a little frustrated with the service.

“That can happen as a centre-forward and can cause you to start drifting around looking for the ball.

“As a centre-forward, I always say you need to work the width of the penalty area, stay down the middle and when the ball’s in the box and played in to you, you get your goals.

“I just wish I could wind the clock back 30 years and play alongside him.”