Romelu Lukaku

[laeth 527]

So he goes to Everton whose key playmaker this season has been that wise old head....Ross Barkley???

There's also Deulofeu and James McCarthy playing first-team roles, all selected by Martinez who (with the greatest respect) isn't exactly at Jose Mourinho's level. I suppose there's always Leon Osman and Kevin Mirallas around to offer words of wisdom to Lukaku.

That last point is interesting, because that 22 year old is Oscar...a man who will carry much of the weight of Brazil's hopes in the next world cup which just happens to be on home soil. Is there a person with more pressure on him in world football in the next 12 months? Messi maybe?

Neymar will have significantly ore pressure than Oscar.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

Don't underestimate Brazil as a team. Look at their defense: practically all of them are close to the best there are on that position...

My bets are on them or Germany. Argentina would surprise me...

[The only place to be 11,313]

There often in with Mirallas, Piennar and sometimes Naismith, experienced players who have been around the block, especially the latter two. Unless Mata and Willian started every single match, he wouldn't get similar numbers here in terms of experience playing close to him

I think Old Trafford was a good example when our front 4 were all 22, while all are talented to say they showed they still have a bit to learn was an understatement.

I really don't think Naismith has masses of knowledge to pass on in all honesty, but Pienaar does I suppose. Neither compares to the likes of Lamps, Terry, Cole, Mourinho, Faria, Mata etc. though and it's that environment that he'd be part of day in and day out.

Ultimately it will be forgiven if he has a great season on-loan and Mourinho has success in the league, otherwise there will be a big 'what if?' (assuming our strikers continue their current form).

[LukakutoStamford 779]

Yes, eventually, he would've got a shot but who's to say he would've replicated the form he's shown at Everton? Lukaku has gone there and Martinez has basically said "Romelu, you're my guy", hence the 'last piece of the puzzle' comment from him. As we can all see, that type of faith in one so young does wonders for his confidence. He's basically been given free reign to go and express himself at the club; similar to Barkley.

Now compare that to him waiting and biding his time here being 3rd/4th choice striker or whatever; knowing that if he performs bad even once, he's out of the team. As Mourinho said, performing here and at Everton are two different things altogether. We know how much pressure is here and looking at Lukaku in the Super Cup no one can say for absolute certainty he's ready for the pressure on the big stages (although his Euro qualifiers game was brilliant).

Yes, people can also go on about developing him here and having him fight his way to first choice striker etc. etc. But these people really need to get their heads out of the clouds. Having Lukaku deployed as 1st striker above Torres/Eto'o is only a fantasy we could dream about, it wouldn't actually happen. I personally feel that most of the deadweight in the striking department needs to be moved on (mainly Torres) before Romelu has a real chance at becoming no. 1.

So for the time being I'd rather have him banging in the goals at Everton while Torres runs down another year in his contract instead of risking him being benched for another season...

Spot on. The problem is that Chelsea's current strikers are rubbish so naturally people are going to look to Lukaku as the savior especially when he's scoring goals left and right. If he was given the starting role at Chelsea this year he'd score 15+ league goals, but because there are bloated salaries and the fan base is so seditious of results he wasn't going to get the necessary starts to help him grow.

The problem here is the failure to off load Torres and put in a proper succession plan. Jose tried to do that with Rooney but it was a no go. Lukaku could be ready to be #1 next year especially if he scores 20 or more league goals which could certainly happen.

If Rom was going to start most of Chelsea's games then he should have stayed at Chelsea, Jose decided to go with Fernando, Eto, and Ba so think about that for a second the next time you want to pedestal Jose.

[Jose M 140]

Spot on. The problem is that Chelsea's current strikers are rubbish so naturally people are going to look to Lukaku as the savior especially when he's scoring goals left and right. If he was given the starting role at Chelsea this year he'd score 15+ league goals, but because there are bloated salaries and the fan base is so seditious of results he wasn't going to get the necessary starts to help him grow.

The problem here is the failure to off load Torres and put in a proper succession plan. Jose tried to do that with Rooney but it was a no go. Lukaku could be ready to be #1 next year especially if he scores 20 or more league goals which could certainly happen.

If Rom was going to start most of Chelsea's games then he should have stayed at Chelsea, Jose decided to go with Fernando, Eto, and Ba so think about that for a second the next time you want to pedestal Jose.

Dig your profile pic where you get it?

[Goemaere 131]

Dig your profile pic where you get it?

Hazard posted it on his twitter a week ago or so

[DanishBlue 426]

Is Lukaku starting tonight?

[Stingray 9,441]

Is Lukaku starting tonight?

Courtois, Alderweireld, Van Buyten, Vermaelen, Pocognoli, Witsel, Dembele, Chadli, De Bruyne, Mirallas, Lukaku #belwal

Yup :-)

[DanishBlue 426]

Thanks! I hope you guys win and that our Chelsea players play a good game

[bushman 2,043]

It´s time for Lukaku to score one or two tonight, just for Jose.

[Goemaere 131]

Decent game, just like all other attacking players unlucky in the finishing.

[Las7 951]

Pretty brilliant assist if I do say so myself

http://youtu.be/94TvgDJvaTM

That Chelsea link up that never materialized at club level Lukaku to KdB !

[The Mak 4,459]

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. In my final year, busy times. Anyway...

Isn't he under pressure playing for Belgium?

Completely different again. Playing for the national team is a much more natural transaction for him and he's been in it since he was playing at Anderlecht. You also have to remember he's playing with a lot of players he was playing with at youth level. He's basically playing with a bunch of his mates. (not that he isn't playing with mates here, but the bond is a lot stronger in the national team for obvious reasons)

if you're telling me that he doesn't have the character to survive now then I you're living in a dreamland if you think he'll have it in a year's time.

Didn't say that. I said no one can know for certainty if he can take the pressure. I want him to develop here with us. Makes mistakes with us etc. But it just isn't going to happen with all these mediocre strikers with big names still on the books.

My opinion is that right now this guy could do a job for us but there's something in this club that simply isn't prepared to take that step and I don't think it's good for us.

Exactly; and that's the problem. But, as you say, I'm sure things will be brighter next year. Torres will have ran down another year and, who knows, someone may even come in for him. It looks like Ba will be on the way out either way and if Eto'o continues the way he's going right now there is no way he'll get another year.

Overall though, for me, the problem is Torres. We can't move him on and Mourinho obviously doesn't have faith in him. Because of that he brought in Eto'o; making things worse for Lukaku. Now we've all these under-performing strikers on the books. And simply because of the name they made for themselves when they were good footballers we are compelled to play them; which is fucking terrible. The sooner they begin to be shipped on the better for Lukaku and the better for the club.

[NiclasCFC 2,582]

[Jose M 140]

Pretty brilliant assist if I do say so myself

http://youtu.be/94TvgDJvaTM

That Chelsea link up that never materialized at club level Lukaku to KdB !

There is still plenty of time for them to link up at club level in the future.

[Stingray 9,441]

That is ....... SOOO AWESOME !!!!!

WHAT THE ACTUAL SONG

[Eggman 118]

So, after a really good game against Croatia and people going "ARE YOU WATCHING JOSE", he proved Mourinho right yesterday against Wales.

As a strong, fast, clinical striker for counter football, he is already top notch. The Croatia game (they needed to win) was perfect for him.

Against teams that shut up shop, contrastingly, he is rather useless. Technically just not good enough.

So... it confirmed what has been said by most: huge potential, some strong qualities already, but not good enough for a dominant style team as of yet.

[Vrancken 8]

So, after a really good game against Croatia and people going "ARE YOU WATCHING JOSE", he proved Mourinho right yesterday against Wales.

As a strong, fast, clinical striker for counter football, he is already top notch. The Croatia game (they needed to win) was perfect for him.

Against teams that shut up shop, contrastingly, he is rather useless. Technically just not good enough.

So... it confirmed what has been said by most: huge potential, some strong qualities already, but not good enough for a dominant style team as of yet.

Are you kidding? the kid was doing great, he was involved in nearly every chance, i'll give you an exemple (nicked from bbc).

72:56 Attempt blocked. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sébastien Pocognoli with a cross.

63:40 Goal scored Goal! Goal! Belgium 1, Wales 0. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Romelu Lukaku

62:48 Attempt saved. Eden Hazard (Belgium) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Romelu Lukaku

53:08 Attempt missed. Thomas Vermaelen (Belgium) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Romelu Lukaku

50:54 Attempt missed. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Toby Alderweireld.

43:28 Attempt blocked. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked

39:40 Attempt missed. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Kevin Mirallas with a cross.

38:06 Attempt missed. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left misses to the left.

18:26 Attempt saved. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Kevin Mirallas.

this is wat he's doing, he creates chances. you can be sure he looks clumsy at certain (more than one tbh) moments, but he ALWAYS creates chances, even against defending teams. This is Lukaku Accept it.