Lukaku: The next big thing at Chelsea
Romelu Lukaku arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2011 touted as 'the next Didier Drogba', but the Belgian striker may finally step out of the shadow of the club legend this season.Lukaku took a loan move to Steve Clarke's' West Brom side in 2012 to get much needed first-team football and he proceeded set the Premiership alight with his strength, pace and goals for the team. He finished the campaign with an impressive return of 17 goals from 35 league games, all at the tender age of 19.
Chelsea have recently been strongly linked with Man Utd striker Wayne Rooney, but Lukaku has scored more goals than Rooney did at 19, despite the fact that he played for a side expected to contest strongly for the league. (They eventually finished second, trailing Chelsea by 8 points.)
Rooney scored 16 times in 36 league appearances in the 2005-06 season and that was in his second full term at United, after he had time to bed into the squad and acclimatise himself in the previous year.
Rooney undoubtedly has flashes of true brilliance and quality, but comparing the two players reminded me of how good Rooney was in his youth and how much his 'hunger' to prove himself drove him on to multiple trophies and titles.
Lukaku is hungry, you can see it from the way plays and he undoubtedly wants to announce himself on the world stage this season. Compared to the jaded Rooney of recent years, I know who I would prefer to lead the line in Chelsea colours.
As impressive as the Rooney signing may be, Sir Alex Ferguson seemed to suggest that Rooney's "hunger" was more literal in recent times, that the player was suffering from "weight and fitness issues" as well as "doubts about the players approach to his work" (2) which are more concerns that should be addressed regarding Chelsea's "number one transfer target".
There are yet more reasons why Chelsea should give Lukaku an extended run in the team at the expense of a more established name. Fernando Torres managed to net 22 goals last season, but many came at the expense of "lesser teams" and he toiled for extended periods, much to the despair of Chelsea fans.
Replacing Torres with another jaded, big money striker may not be the right thing to do and Lukaku has his best years ahead of him, instead of the prestige of past glories that more established forwards would bring to the table.
Lukaku leads the line well and is a great focal point for the Chelsea attack. In September 2012, he said that he was "tired of the comparisons with Drogba" (3) and that he was ready to "carve out his own reputation in football".
He definitely laid down strong foundations last year at West Brom and Chelsea manager Mourinho started Lukaku in the pre-season friendly against Inter Milan today ahead of Demba Ba and Torres, so he's been given the chance that he so obviously deserves.
Lukaku doesn't have to be the next Drogba. The way he's playing, he could be even better.
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