Romelu Lukaku was just starting to tire when the subject came up. The Belgian striker had been sitting in a little ante-room at Everton's training ground for a little more than half an hour being peppered with questions. Where does his future lie? Has this been a frustrating season? How much better can he get?
He is a good talker, Lukaku, bright and eloquent, honest and open without ever being blunt. But half an hour is a long time for anyone to talk about themselves; and besides, footballers tend to feel they have rather better things to do with their afternoons than talk to members of the media.