By David Kent

PUBLISHED: 05:06 EST, 5 October 2013 | UPDATED: 12:45 EST, 5 October 2013

Romelu Lukaku has revealed that he asked Jose Mourinho to allow him to leave Chelsea on loan this summer.

The Belgian striker joined Everton on a season-long deal on transfer deadline day and has scored three goals in three games, including a brace in Monday night's 3-2 win against Newcastle.

In that time, Fernando Torres has been the only Chelsea frontman to find the back of the net, prompting many to question the wisdom of Mourinho's decision to let the 20-year-old move to Goodison Park.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Jose Mourinho storming out of press conference

Romelu Lukaku

My choice: Romelu Lukaku wanted to leave Chelsea to get more playing time

Defence: Lukaku (left) insists it's wrong to criticise Jose Mourinho (right) for his departure from the club

But Lukaku has launched a defence of his manager and insists it was his decision to spend the season away from the Blues.

'I did not know if I would be playing for Chelsea so I asked the manager to let me leave. We spoke and I told him,' he told the Daily Telegraph.

'It's unfair to criticise Mourinho for letting me go because it was my decision.

'He knows what he is doing. He has won so many titles and I have too much respect for him to wish anything but the best, but there comes a point where you must think about yourself to show everyone that you can shine and be one of the best strikers in the league.

'I could have stayed and fought, but it was not about the competition. When you are a 20-year-old you need minutes. I lost my place in the national team because I did not play for a year with Chelsea.

Lukaku

Contrasting fortunes: Lukaku has scored three goals in three starts at Everton while Fernando Torres (below) struggles continue at Stamford Bridge

'I want that position back. I want to be in a top team and play. You only get better if you play so the best thing was to leave.

'He'd called me into his office 10 days before the end of the window. I did not want to tell him what I wanted to do at that point, but he was very open and direct.

'I always wanted to work under him and even the time in pre-season he taught me lots I'm grateful for but I had to make a choice.'

The comments below have not been moderated.

This conflicts with what he has previously said in the press. Either way, let's move on

probably realised that he wasn't going to get a regular first team spot....

I respect you Lukaku ! speak the truth unlike DM making stuff up continuously against Chelsea.

Well played Lukaku. Always respect your superiors even when they are dull.

I respect that.

Or ... Mourinho could have chosen to make Lukaku first choice and he'd have got his minutes playing for Chelsea. Lukaku was sensible, Mourinho was not.

Nice try son; but Mourinho lost it when he allowed you to go. Whether it was your decision or Mourinho's is not the point. He had the benefit of watching the video clips of your goals for West Brom last season, plus the benefit of watching you up close in full preseason! Gosh!!! What was he thinking? Yea, got it now: better to let you go than to allow Ba score loads for Arsenal with the help of Ozil's assists. How stupid and ridiculous that decision is now!!! Hoihoihoihoihoihoi.

United fans on here = sad losers who support a joke club.

Something we knew all along, only some Chelsea fan would give stick to Mourinho... The man knows what he is doing!

fair play to lukako. if he returns to the mafia club, he will be the first person EVER at the club with humility and human decency. TRUE STORY.

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