robsblubot

Smart to put a championship defender next to Zouma. Will make him look good for prospect buyers.

as one who likes him, yes he's been shit

the followup was a bit harsh and high from rudiger don't think it was totally underserved.

Sadly guy looks like made of glass.

It's totally OK to say Alonso is doing well... despite the ridiculous hair style.

That's a word never uttered at PSG. 😉 However you feel about Lukaku, I think we can all agree that he's not a contender to sign for Madrid, City, or Munich. So, the price tag is a bit disappointing to say the least. Reckon inter will be the happiest in this transaction, with Lukaku as a close second (players get tons in transfer fees). How happy will we be is the big question mark.

true, but Grealish carries the English add-on in his price tag. Lukaku had a pretty bad time last time in the PL, turned it around in Italy, which still makes it a pretty big bet in my book: regardless of being "better" the PL has its own characteristics. I sure hope he at least keeps his Italian fitness. I actually think Kane is a much better footballer and weren't for his Injury proneness, I'd say he'd be worth the additional cost. I just feel that football has changed recently and a pure #9 does not buy you as much anymore. Sure hope to be wrong here.

Drogba was twice the player. He had the ability, esp in the air, to win games out of nothing (as he did). I actually watched Lukaku play in a pre-season match in NYC when he was still with us. Lukaku and Luiz were both amazing in that game, but his characteristics as a player have not changed: lots of power, pace (esp for a guy of his build), and only mediocre skill on the ball... kinda heavy first touch. So, it's sad that we've had this player, let him go, and are getting him back for over 100m. Like him or not, it's not like he completely reinvented his game. It's the very same player. Will have to trust Tuchel knows how to use him is all.

that's very easy one to answer: silverware (and not FA cup 😉) After all, did we not win the CL without him, or a "proper" #9?

Agreed with the first point. Think the second is irrelevant: City has been winning the PL without a #9 and so did Liverpool. I'm afraid that the price tag and name will make him play more than he should, even if not in great form. I guess we will find out.

Mount will play. Harvetz will play some and sit out some. Same with Werner. So, better players (than Lukaku) will sit for him to play. I guess it is what it is. Just hope Tuchel has the guts to do the right thing when the situation demands it.

The difference is that the German boys know how to play football, while Abraham does not. Tammy seems to get impacted by the strength of the opposition more than others, and that's a very important indicative of lack of quality (for this level). Consider that whatever happens, he will be dropping a tier (as suggested above), and there is a reason for that. Despite being english, having a better goal conv ratio, I could bet that Werner would be a much easier sell in the transfer market. Again, there is a reason for that.

I’m resigned with the fact he will come and for the reported absurd price tag, so like @Muzchap I just hope he delivers good performances and keeps his current form (and fitness). however, if we end up getting United lukaku then we are royally fucked. While he still scored some goals like you said, he was also where many of United plays came to die thru his poor touches and/or lack of movement.

Not how I see it. Nobody is forcing us to buy lukaku for 115m, which means we could spend that money elsewhere. Lukaku original sale is not linked to rebuying lukaku.

What?! If we pay 115m for fucking lukaku that’s what we paid! however much we made from sales is irrelevant in this. Really overpaying for this one… so many better players potentially avail at this, or much less, price. just watching herthas Matheus cunha for Brazil in the olympics… good promising striker and 22.

If so, all I have to say is, "good luck to the manager."

fair enough, but I'm not only talking about press, which I think Lukaku is incapable of doing. I'm also talking about being able to retain possession (part of defending), move the ball quickly which we've been able to do really well least season, and finally join the middle as needed. And sometimes it's really not about Lukaku, but rather the player who leaves the team for him to play.

let me ask you a serious question then, because I think our disagreement here is a bit more subtle than that. Let's assume what you are saying happens and to the dot. I don't actually doubt Lukaku will score a bunch of goals for us (unless he regains weight and goes back to United form...he was not fit then!). Now, what if the additional goals, and the fact that we'd be employing a dedicated striker, who does not really contribute a whole lot anywhere else, makes us concede a bit more goals here and there. Kai also does not run like a dog, so having Kai and Lukaku in the team will likely make us a bit softer. The additional attacking prowess helps against certain smaller sides, like you said, so we climb up the table. Not enough to beat City, a strikerless club that wins the PL every other season (or Liverpool). Now we lack a bit of steel to compete in the CL, so we don't get anything there; it's hard anyway, but this time we are also not even in the whereabouts. Now we end up the season in 2nd or 3rd, but no silverware. Would this be a completely unlikely scenario? Would this be success? As long as he scores gols, would Lukaku have been considered a success then? Or would people ask the right question, which is, "has Lukaku improved Chelsea?"

It's like wanting to replace an old Volvo with a Ferrari/Lamborghini, and ending up with a Corvette. Don't think I have to spell out who is who in the above analogy.

The irony here is that the same majority who wanted the club to go after promising younger players, which we did, are now asking for a "ready" striker in Lukaku, which will definitely impact far better players, like Kai. The point of promising younger players is that they will improve over time; that you don't buy them at their peaks. Regarding the argument that Lukaku is the difference between fighting for the PL or not, I'm still looking for the Lukaku type in the City roster and find nothing.

same. Considering his strengths, pace and power, it is a worry that he did so poorly at United (the PL) and did so well in Italy, a far slower league. Even at Everton, he was more of a counter attacking weapon. Risky signing and ridiculously expensive considering who we'd be getting.

If we do get lukaku, which one would it be? The one who struggled in the PL or the one who thrived in Italy?

James Rodriguez is available.... 😄 Does not do shit most of the time, and then once in a (very long) while produces a moment of magic. I honestly thought Everton was his level... guess not even that.

A player like Lukaku would force his way into the starting XI (esp at this price tag), which would disrupt the system that should be improved upon, not undone. Unless we get Haaland, who just fits in any system because he's got everything in his game, I'd rather go with a younger FW hungry for success... similar to the current squad.