Mourinho hits back at Lukaku by telling on-loan striker: 'I'll be the one who decides how your future looks
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho continued his spat with on-loan Everton striker Romelu Lukaku in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.Mourinho and Lukaku have been firing verbal volleys back and forth for the past week, casting the big Belgian's future at Stamford Bridge in doubt.
Lukaku on Saturday said was considering staying at Everton for another season, but Mourinho hit back ahead of Chelsea's trip to Sunderland on Wednesday night, insisting the decision will be solely his.
Falling out: Lukaku and Mourinho talk tactics in the summer before the Belgian's loan move
When asked about Lukaku's comments, the Portuguese said: 'Maybe there is a new rule in football where when the season finishes every player is able to decide their own future.'
Mourinho's dismissive comments are the latest twist in a war of words between player and manager.
First, the in-form Belgian last week revealed he had not spoken to Mourinho in two months, with many Chelsea fans questioning why Lukaku had been allowed to leave given the paltry goal return of Blues strikers Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto'o and Demba Ba.
Mourinho responded by suggesting that it was Lukaku's choice to go on loan, saying: 'Romelu likes to speak. He's a young boy who likes to speak. But the only thing he didn't say is why he went to Everton on loan.
Catalyst: Lukaku requested a move just hours after this penalty miss against Bayern Munich in August
'That's the only thing he never says. And my last contact with him was to tell him exactly that. Why do you never say why you are not here? So it's something he should (talk about) because he likes to speak.
'It's something he should say, the reason why he's not with Chelsea and is in Everton.'
Sportsmail sources confirmed that Lukaku requested a move back in August after his decisive penalty shootout miss in the UEFA Super Cup defeat by Bayern Munich.
Then on Saturday, Lukaku - who has scored eight goals in nine Barclays Premier League games for the Toffees this season - told the BBC's Football Focus that he would interested in staying at Goodison Park for another season, culminating in Mourinho's sarcastic response on Tuesday.
Sarcasm: Mourinho was in no mood to indulge Lukaku in Tuesday's press conference
Lukaku had said: 'I think it's not a bad idea (to stay at Everton for a second season). If we play Champions League then I think so.
'I miss European football a lot. I have to work hard and see what will be the best decision for me at the end of the season.'
Next season is a long way away but it is becoming increasingly difficult to see how Mourinho and Lukaku can work together.
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