Everton defender Phil Jagielka believes that striker Romelu Lukaku is being judged harshly because of his £28m price tag.

The Belgian international has been criticised for failing to reproduce his form from last season, which saw the 21-year-old score 15 times in the Premier League for the Toffees.

However, Jagielka has suggested that the record transfer fee has brought with it an unfair change of opinion.

He is quoted by The Mirror as saying: "We've never had an issue, but people talk. When he's farmed out on loan, there's no big fee.

"When he's bought, he's exactly the same player, but unfortunately there's a price tag by the side of him.

"As soon as the price tag comes in, people want to have a bit harsher opinion. It goes from one season or two seasons when there was a lot of potential, to now he should be the full package because you've paid a lot of money for him, even though he's still a young man."

Lukaku scored a hat-trick in Everton's 4-1 Europa League victory away to Swiss side Young Boys.