Hull manager Steve Bruce believes Jose Mourinho might have sent
Romelu Lukaku to Everton in a bid to hurt Chelsea's title rivals.
Bruce is preparing his side to face Lukaku for the second time this season - the Belgium striker having been a substitute for the Blues in the first game of the season at Stamford Bridge.
It was one of only three appearances he made before being sent on a season-long loan at Goodison Park, a relationship that has already yielded four goals in three matches.
Goal-getter: Romelu Lukaku has been in sparking form since his loan switch to Everton
Many fans are perplexed at the decision given Chelsea's struggle to
find a consistent centre forward, but Bruce insists Mourinho might have
spotted a way to improve his side's title prospects in a less
conventional way.
'He's a hell of a loan signing on deadline day, someone like Lukaku. I saw him playing for Belgium in midweek and he's going to be one hell of a player,' said Bruce.
'Maybe the reason why he's gone there is Jose has thought "maybe Everton can go and get as few points off the big boys with him in their team".
'That would be pretty shrewd really and I think they can.
'Roberto Martinez inherited a very good side and with the addition of Lukaku and James McCarthy they've really added to a squad which has grown well over the last few years.'
Ploy: Steve Bruce believes Mourinho loaned Lukaku to Everton to boost Chelsea's title chances
While Lukaku has hardly been able to stop scoring this season - the
20-year-old bagged two more for his country against Croatia last week -
the same has not been true of Hull's own loan striker.
Danny Graham has yet to strike in seven matches for the Tigers, despite a handful of presentable chances, and his total goalless streak stretches to 24 games including his ill-fated spell at Sunderland and the back end of his time at Swansea.
But Graham told Tigers Player: 'Obviously it would be nice to get that goal, but the most important thing at the moment is that the team is doing well.
'I'd like to think that I'm contributing to a team that is doing well at the moment. If I wasn't doing that, I don't think the gaffer would have me in the team.
'Once that goal comes, hopefully we can enjoy it and continue to have a good season.'
Goal drought: Danny Graham has failed to find the net in his last 24 games
Bruce is preparing his side to face Lukaku for the second time this season - the Belgium striker having been a substitute for the Blues in the first game of the season at Stamford Bridge.
It was one of only three appearances he made before being sent on a season-long loan at Goodison Park, a relationship that has already yielded four goals in three matches.
Goal-getter: Romelu Lukaku has been in sparking form since his loan switch to Everton
'He's a hell of a loan signing on deadline day, someone like Lukaku. I saw him playing for Belgium in midweek and he's going to be one hell of a player,' said Bruce.
'Maybe the reason why he's gone there is Jose has thought "maybe Everton can go and get as few points off the big boys with him in their team".
'That would be pretty shrewd really and I think they can.
'Roberto Martinez inherited a very good side and with the addition of Lukaku and James McCarthy they've really added to a squad which has grown well over the last few years.'
Ploy: Steve Bruce believes Mourinho loaned Lukaku to Everton to boost Chelsea's title chances
Danny Graham has yet to strike in seven matches for the Tigers, despite a handful of presentable chances, and his total goalless streak stretches to 24 games including his ill-fated spell at Sunderland and the back end of his time at Swansea.
But Graham told Tigers Player: 'Obviously it would be nice to get that goal, but the most important thing at the moment is that the team is doing well.
'I'd like to think that I'm contributing to a team that is doing well at the moment. If I wasn't doing that, I don't think the gaffer would have me in the team.
'Once that goal comes, hopefully we can enjoy it and continue to have a good season.'
Goal drought: Danny Graham has failed to find the net in his last 24 games
