Nic!

I hope AVB has a spot on the bench for Lukaku tomorrow. And get some minutes then also. But I guess that's just wishfull thinking.

I know he's got much less quality than Torres. But I'm pretty confident that if Lukaku got the minutes Torres got, he'd scored more. I know, that's easy talk afterwards. Doesn't make it anymore untrue though.

Haha, I was thinking the same thing while I was translating.

So there was another article in Belgium about Lukaku today. This time it's his manager Christophe Henrotay that talks about his client. The translation: There's only a little sentence I found about Lukaku in a Courtois article, when he was at Chelsea for tests. Courtois went to the clothing room after the 1-1 draw against Fulham.

iPhone 4 black

Starting XI: ----------------------- Cech --------------------- Ferreira ------ Luiz ------ Terry ------- Cole ---------- Ramires ----------- Romeu --------- -------------------- Meireles --------------------- Sturridge --------------------------------- Mata --------------------- Drogba --------------------- Subs: Turnbull, Bosingwa, Mikel, Lampard, Josh, Torres, Lukaku

http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/blues-prioritise-defensive-reinforcements

Exactly. He needs to be put up front, not on the wing. His technical capabilities are way too limited for that position (although, his crossing is actually quite good). He's a brute force up front and should only be played there. PS: Thanks for all the likes and reputation guys, I'll keep you guys informed about Lukaku in the Belgian media.

There's an article in the Belgian newspapers about Romelu Lukaku. It's his father, Roger Lukaku, telling in an interview that the Belgian media is a bit too harsh for the young striker. I translated the article:

But how many of those chances are really well played together chances with a striker one-on-one with the goalkeeper?

I just don't understand the last sub. 1-1, less than 10 minutes to go and you bring on Ferreira? Okay, Lukaku is still very 'raw' and his first touch his poor, but at least it's a striker and even with his limited capabilities, he's an extra force up front and very useful for set-pieces. Or bring Josh in for some extra creativity. That's where AVB lost me.

No Lukaku, I'm dissapointed.

Bring on Lukaku!

Dembele - Ruiz will be a threat for sure.

Article about Kouyaté, Anderlecht player, mentions Lukaku and the Fulham game. I'll translate "Lukaku will dedicate goal to me." Kouyaté celebrates his 22th birthday next Wednesday. Romelu Lukaku had a nice gift idea for him: "he wanted to give me two tickets to Chelsea-Fulham on boxing day. But sadly, I have to play myself a day later. But now he promissed me, if he scores against Fulham, he'll dedicate the goal to me." So maybe Lukaku know already he might get some minutes against Fulham. Or maybe it's just wishful thinking on Lukaku's end. We'll see next Tuesday I guess.

I want a place on the bench for Lukaku! He's on fire with the reserves and it's not that Drogba and Torres are excelling at the moment. Nothing to lose, right? WIth all the injuries, he might actually have a shot at getting a spot on the bench.

Oh, than the forum timer is wrong here in Belgium.

No official line-up available yet? Game is in 25 minutes right?

Kompany imo is intrinsically the best CB in the EPL, yeah. I think he has the best technical baggage for a central defender in the world. I'm biased being Belgian and all, I know. But as a Chelsea fan I reckon Kompany is world class. Anyhow, back on-topic. Which is Lukaku! I think since his great performances with the reserves he should be rewarded with a spot on the A-squad bench sometimes. With Drogba and Kalou leaving for the ANC, he'll get some minutes anyway I guess so might not be bad to ease him into it. What if Chelsea doesn't buy a striker (which is possible) in the winter transfer period and Torres gets injured/suspended, then out of the blue Lukaku is your number one striker. And he should be made ready for such a scenario, otherwise you might not do him any favors by suddenly playing him.

I think a lot of fans are expecting 3 or 4 big transfers. I wouldn't expect more than one, maybe two. Hazard will cost a LOT. Just won another award: best foreign player in the Ligue 1. His individual prices are even more impressive than when Benzema left the Ligue 1, so again, not going cheaply.

You are right about Hazard, didn't play in Jupiler Pro League. Van Buyten does play for Bayern München though, which is a big European club. We also have non-Belgians who developed in the Pro League and then went on to play for bigger clubs. Bryan Ruiz is an example, Cheik Tioté as well. Same for Odemwingie, Demba Ba, .... Not saying these players are superstars, but they're established players in the Premier League. Anyhow, back on topic I guess. Lukaku is a raw talent, and I hope he gets more playtime in the second half of the season. When Drogba & Kalou are gone for the ANC.

Kompany, Witsel, Fellaini, Van Buyten, Hazard, .. ?

To be fair, Kompany's first yellow was really 'light'. I think it was his first fault and not a really hard fault. Clichy off!

5 goals in 3 reserves appearances. Maybe give Lukaku another shot when Kalou & Drogba are away for the Africa Cup.

Maybe give Lukaku a place on the bench rewarding him for his good reserves game? He might know how to surpass Kompany, since they're always in seperate squads on national squad training.