Tottenham vs Everton: Romelu Lukaku can rule the world, says Roberto Martinez

The Belgian could become best in the world, says Everton boss

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Roberto Martinez has predicted Romelu Lukaku could become the best striker in the world.

The Everton manager made the prediction after a week in which the Belgian scored one goal and made the second in a 2-0 win over Wolfsburg that ensured his side topped their Europa League group.

As Everton prepare to face Tottenham, Martinez said the real key to understanding Lukaku was his versatility.

“The standards Romelu sets are huge,” explained the man for whom he paid Chelsea £28m in the summer. “We are talking about a striker who could be the best striker in world football. Strikers are sometimes labelled. You are either a goalscorer or someone who can hold up play or someone who can run in behind. Rom is everything.

“Look at the game against Wolfsburg. He has the assist for the second goal and runs in behind for the first. Rom loves the game. He can come in and watch four, five, six games a week. He is obsessed with it. He is only 22, is way ahead of his years and been through many experiences already.”

Like Tottenham, Everton’s qualification for the latter stages of the Europa League has come at a cost. They have won just one of their four Premier League games put back to a Sunday to accommodate the competition – and that against Burnley.

Everton: (probable team) Howard; Coleman, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Barkley, Osman, Besic, Mirallas, Eto’o, Lukaku.