"Lukaku lacked motivation" - Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has accused Romelu Lukaku of lacking ambition following his £28million move to Everton.

Lukaku joined the Blues three years ago, but loan spells at West Brom and Everton meant he made just ten Premier League appearances for the Stamford Bridge outfit.

Having struggled to break into the first team at the start of last season, Lukaku was pushed further down the pecking order by the arrival of Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid and the return of club favourite Didier Drogba.

When asked why he allowed the Belgium international leave, Mourinho claimed it was down to the 21-year-old lacking motivation.

“The thinking was, first of all, the fact that Romelu was always very clear with us that in his mentality and his approach he was not highly motivated to come to a competitive situation at Chelsea,” Mourinho told reporters.

“He wanted to play for Chelsea but clearly only as the first choice striker – and at a club of our dimension it’s very difficult to promise a player that status.

“That reduced, immediately, his desire to come to us. After that Everton came with an important offer and because we want to be inside the Financial Fair Play rules, you have to analyse these situations.”

Lukaku, meanwhile, fired a parting shot to Mourinho by claiming he will learn more under Everton manager Roberto Martinez.

“Roberto has been very influential in the deal. He is someone who knows football and I want to learn from him and develop under him. He challenged me personally,” Lukaku declared.

“I told him very quickly that I wanted to play under him. The rest was set up by the board and my agent. Now that I’m here I want to help my teammates.

“I decided very quickly that I wanted to come back here. I am 21, I need to play at a high level and with a good team. I needed to be in a place that felt right.

“I have the trust of the supporters here. I can grow and develop. I came back because I have a very good relationship with the players and the staff. I feel like I belong.”