Bellew wants Lukaku back at Everton and jokes he'll flee the country in face of relegation

The former cruiserweight world champion's beloved Toffees have got off to a tough start this season, losing 1-0 against Fulham before suffering a 4-0 thumping at Aston Villa.

But despite Sean Dyche's side falling to two defeats in as many games following a season that saw them avoid relegation on the final day, Bellew doesn't see Everton's start as all doom and gloom.

"There was a lot to like in that first game, the chances we created, the way we were knocking it about. We just couldn't put the ball in the back of the net," he said on Drive.

"Neal Maupay was very unlucky against Fulham, he had a really tough time, but he worked his absolute socks off.

"I'm backing him. If Dominic Calvert-Lewin had started against Fulham we'd have been 3-0 up by half time. I was there away at Villa on Sunday, it was a really tough one to take. First ten, 15 minutes we were alright and then Dominic gets a smash in the face.

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"He tried his best to carry on and I'm absolutely gutted for him because he just wants to play football for Everton football club."

But whilst Bellew believes Everton's attacking options will come good in the end, there's one man on his mind that he believes can come in and turn his club's luck in front of goal around.

"Ultimately, the manager needs backing. We need goals, which is very hard to come by in the Premier League," he said.

"I'm not going to lie mate, what I'd give to have Romelu Lukaku come back home right now. Chelsea are moving him out by all accounts he's probably going to go to one of the monster, big clubs, maybe Real Madrid or someone like that or one of the big Italian clubs.

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"But if he is to stay in England, it'd be a crime not to see that man on the pitch playing in the Premier League.

"I'd love to see him at Everton. Calvert-Lewin is brilliant, but he just needs games under his belt and time on the pitch and we'll be fine. We're not a one-man team, we're a big club."

Lukaku isn't currently part of Chelsea's plans, with Mauricio Pochettino stating on Thursday that nothing has changed in the Belgian's situation since he returned from his loan at Inter Milan.

But despite not being in demand following the Inter Milan and Juventus saga, Bellew would clearly welcome the former Toffees man with open arms.

Bellew may be trying to remain positive this season but should his side actually go down this term, the 40-year-old has now revealed just how he thinks he'd react if his side do get relegated from the Premier League for the first time ever.

"Sean Dyche has made us a lot more solid. It didn't look like it against Aston Villa, but defensively we were really unlucky against Fulham," he continued.

"I do think better times. I'm hoping so anyway as my heart can't take it this year! If we're in any kind of danger by Christmas I'll get on a boat. I'm going to an island where people just don't exist!"

No pressure, Dyche!