But if he is not elite striker why pay 115m euros for him? How much elite striker costs?
I agree with most things you said but problem with Lukaku is he cannot be put in the same sentence with these guys you mentioned because they always delivered at highest level in big games.
Lukaku never did.
For United he played 24 games against big6 scoring 1 goal.
Belgium best goalscorer but look at his goals at WC 14, EURO 16, WC 18, EURO 20... Never delivered when needed in knockout stages against top teams.
Scored against Panama, Tunisia, Ireland, USA, Russia and Finland. That is it. Only pen last EURO against Italy but pen and missed sitter later.
Against Italy, Wales in QF, Denmark, Portugal, Italy again, Argentina, France, Brazil, England x2 all nothing.
So we expect 20 goals in a season from him but general feeling would still be bad because he will not deliver in big games.
And this season he did not against Juve, City, Liverpool... This is the same Lukaku we all know. Did not changed a bit.