Romelu Lukaku

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Costa,Lukaku and Eto'o would be really deadly.

You say that, but realistically what's going to happen?

We'll spend £25m+ so Costa is going to get maximum preference. We know our system is designed to accommodate 1 striker from the off, so that means you've got Lukaku and Eto'o on the bench. While the latter might be content with that (taking his age & wage into account), the former will definitely not. His spells at West Brom and Everton have proved to him and most clubs that he's is that good.

I really do envision him leaving us this summer because we're not going to spend audaciously on a new striker and bench him behind Lukaku.

[YouNameIt 1,511]

If he leaves, we'll move on. I guarantee that Chelsea will survive without Lukaku.

The thing is he probably would've got chances here if he hadn't asked to leave. I don't quite know what that says about his mentality, that when things get tough he quits perhaps?

hahah that is such a retarded thing to say that its funny

[CHOULO19 24,332]

You say that, but realistically what's going to happen?

We'll spend £25m+ so Costa is going to get maximum preference. We know our system is designed to accommodate 1 striker from the off, so that means you've got Lukaku and Eto'o on the bench. While the latter might be content with that (taking his age & wage into account), the former will definitely not. His spells at West Brom and Everton have proved to him and most clubs that he's is that good.

I really do envision him leaving us this summer because we're not going to spend audaciously on a new striker and bench him behind Lukaku.

I think we went into this season with 3 strikers because Jose wanted to have a "plan B" where he would play two strikers at the same time. He talked about it in preseason and tried it a couple of times at the start of this season but obviously he didn't really like the outcome too much. So he might want to go into next season with only two strikers and not 3 if he wants us to continue with the current system. That way the second striker would still be getting a decent amount of time on the pitch even if he is not first choice.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

You say that, but realistically what's going to happen?

We'll spend £25m+ so Costa is going to get maximum preference. We know our system is designed to accommodate 1 striker from the off, so that means you've got Lukaku and Eto'o on the bench. While the latter might be content with that (taking his age & wage into account), the former will definitely not. His spells at West Brom and Everton have proved to him and most clubs that he's is that good.

I really do envision him leaving us this summer because we're not going to spend audaciously on a new striker and bench him behind Lukaku.

Its difficult to really predict how Jose will use his strikers. I think there won't really be a pecking order in team but it'll be all based on all round performances. So if Lukaku plays well then I am sure he'll get the opportunity to start the next few games. Costa may take some time to adapt to the league so I am sure Lukaku will get his chance. Eto'o will get his chances as well but not as much as he has had this season.

I just feel that its better we try out Lukaku first before just making a predetermined decision of selling him for 'X' amount.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I think we went into this season with 3 strikers because Jose wanted to have a "plan B" where he would play two strikers at the same time. He talked about it in preseason and tried it a couple of times at the start of this season but obviously he didn't really like the outcome too much. So he might want to go into next season with only two strikers and not 3 if he wants us to continue with the current system. That way the second striker would still be getting a decent amount of time on the pitch even if he is not first choice.

That's true, even I saw that. And he did like to use Ba as an extra defender too . The problem he'll have with only going in with two strikers is the injury crisis we may suffer. Remember beginning of the year when both Eto'o and Torres were out injured? He won't risk that again. I'm sure he'll give Eto'o one more year and let Ba go. But along with Costa he has to bring in someone else who won't mind being bit-part (I hear Anelka's on the market again ). But even bit-part, Lukaku won't be happy because there's no guarantee. Perhaps Mou can convince him because it won't be WC/Euro year and so Lukaku doesn't have much to lose.

Its difficult to really predict how Jose will use his strikers. I think there won't really be a pecking order in team but it'll be all based on all round performances. So if Lukaku plays well then I am sure he'll get the opportunity to start the next few games. Costa may take some time to adapt to the league so I am sure Lukaku will get his chance. Eto'o will get his chances as well but not as much as he has had this season.

I just feel that its better we try out Lukaku first before just making a predetermined decision of selling him for 'X' amount.

I definitely agree. it's not right that this discussion should even take place, but the problem we face is that it's a likely possibility. When you take into account Lukaku's form and our obvious pursuit of a big signing striker it doesn't bode well. That being said, anything can happen pre-season/WC. Lukaku claims he's a Chelsea fan, so loyalty has to be shown.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Lukaku wasn't happy when he had Ba, Torres and Eto'o in front of him. Is he actually going to be happier when he's got a genuinely good striker like Costa in front of him?

It's not even like he offers a massive amount of difference in terms of their playing style. Someone like Eto'o is genuinely a Plan B who offers something different.

Costa may take some time to adapt to the league so I am sure Lukaku will get his chance.

Lukaku got chances in 3 of the 4 games we played before he asked to leave. The difference next season is rather than having 3 fairly useless strikers in front of him, he's going to have someone we hope is a worldie approaching his prime.

Lukaku's problem is we might just buy a better version of him.

[Jose M 140]

.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Lukaku wasn't happy when he had Ba, Torres and Eto'o in front of him. Is he actually going to be happier when he's got a genuinely good striker like Costa in front of him?

It's not even like he offers a massive amount of difference in terms of their playing style. Someone like Eto'o is genuinely a Plan B who offers something different.

Lukaku got chances in 3 of the 4 games we played before he asked to leave. The difference next season is rather than having 3 fairly useless strikers in front of him, he's going to have someone we hope is a worldie approaching his prime.

Lukaku's problem is we might just buy a better version of him.

I actually agree. It's not like there was a massive hurdle for Lukaku to overcome. At the same time, I do find some sympathy because it's WC year and he did have competition in Benteke. For all he knew Mourinho would've reignited Torres & Eto'o would've had a worldie this season.. In that sense, if he asks to leave this summer (when it's clear Ba & Torres are more than likely moving on) it will say something about his lack of patience or faith in himself & Mourinho

[Pizy 18,418]

I actually agree. It's not like there was a massive hurdle for Lukaku to overcome. At the same time, I do find some sympathy because it's WC year and he did have competition in Benteke. For all he knew Mourinho would've reignited Torres & Eto'o would've had a worldie this season.. In that sense, if he asks to leave this summer (when it's clear Ba & Torres are more than likely moving on) it will say something about his lack of patience or faith in himself & Mourinho

Yeah, if/when we bring in a new striker and José tells Lukaku that he wants him back but Lukaku kicks up a fuss and wants to move elsewhere than fuck him. If he's unwilling to be a team player like everyone else in the squad than I don't want him here. Don't think he'll do that though. Privately I'd imagine he won't be too happy next season, though knowing that he could be the main man many other places.

I feel a little bad for him because it'll be impossible for him to be our #1 striker next season. An expensive striker will have him on the bench where by January we'd be hearing him itching for a move.

Under no circumstances should we even entertain the idea of selling him to a PL side that has ANY chance of competing with us as has been rumored.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

That's true, even I saw that. And he did like to use Ba as an extra defender too . The problem he'll have with only going in with two strikers is the injury crisis we may suffer. Remember beginning of the year when both Eto'o and Torres were out injured? He won't risk that again. I'm sure he'll give Eto'o one more year and let Ba go. But along with Costa he has to bring in someone else who won't mind being bit-part (I hear Anelka's on the market again ). But even bit-part, Lukaku won't be happy because there's no guarantee. Perhaps Mou can convince him because it won't be WC/Euro year and so Lukaku doesn't have much to lose.

It's definitely a risk, but I think it's one we can afford to take. We can always play Schurrle there in case of an emergency or, god forbid, give a youngster a chance. Worst case scenario we stick JT up top and launch the ball into the box!

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

Lukaku wasn't happy when he had Ba, Torres and Eto'o in front of him. Is he actually going to be happier when he's got a genuinely good striker like Costa in front of him?

It's not even like he offers a massive amount of difference in terms of their playing style. Someone like Eto'o is genuinely a Plan B who offers something different.

Lukaku got chances in 3 of the 4 games we played before he asked to leave. The difference next season is rather than having 3 fairly useless strikers in front of him, he's going to have someone we hope is a worldie approaching his prime.

Lukaku's problem is we might just buy a better version of him.

well he had to compete with 3 strikers before and now it'll be 2 so I am sure he'll be up for it. Also I believe Jose's initial plan was to have-

Rooney,Lukaku and Torres where Ba would have gone off to Arsenal on loan. Sadly things didn't materialise and hence Jose had to deal with an extra striker. Jose always wanted to have a world class striker along with Lukaku hence why he went after Eto'o when the Rooney deal did not happen. The only problem was Ba couldn't go out to a club which would have benefitted both the club and him. (Arsenal got Ozil so Jose refused to send him out as he felt they would have become more stronger)

[Gilvorak 3,734]

I could care less about his goal scoring record. Darren Bent was prolific once, his all round game is shocking and isn't good enough for where we want to be. Don't mind him staying as 3rd choice if Ba leaves but we should sell if we get a good offer IMO.

[Barbara 15,149]

I think we went into this season with 3 strikers because Jose wanted to have a "plan B" where he would play two strikers at the same time. He talked about it in preseason and tried it a couple of times at the start of this season but obviously he didn't really like the outcome too much. So he might want to go into next season with only two strikers and not 3 if he wants us to continue with the current system. That way the second striker would still be getting a decent amount of time on the pitch even if he is not first choice.

it makes no sense to have only 2 strikers... strikers get injured quite often imo (don't know why). So it makes no sense we have only two strikers in a 24-man squad. Regardless of the system, there should be three strikers. We don't need three top strikers (that's nearly unrealistic imo) but we could have a world class, a top striker and a squad member striker as we don't exactly have any natural strikers in our Youth that showed they can handle being part of the main team in case any of the two strikers get injured.

[BloodIsBlue 291]

Apparently Lukaku's favourite song is Notrious BIG's Juicy, If we sell a B.I.G fan I will not be happy. He also does the Drogba wings celebration sometimes, what more could I ask for?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

it makes no sense to have only 2 strikers... strikers get injured quite often imo (don't know why). So it makes no sense we have only two strikers in a 24-man squad. Regardless of the system, there should be three strikers. We don't need three top strikers (that's nearly unrealistic imo) but we could have a world class, a top striker and a squad member striker as we don't exactly have any natural strikers in our Youth that showed they can handle being part of the main team in case any of the two strikers get injured.

The issue with that is that the third choice striker would practically be unused during the season unless there are injuries.This season all of our strikers were poor and we never really had a first choice striker, but still we ended up with Ba not getting much minutes. Imagine how that will be when we have some like Costa who will start every single match unless he is injured or unless it is a small match that Jose wants to rest him in. Ideally, that third striker would be a youngster who would be on the bench and cover when needed while still playing at times with the U21s to stay fresh, but we all know that's not gonna happen at Chelsea. But like I said, Schurrle can cover for emergencies.

If Jose can decide to play half the season with only 6 defenders for the 4 positions then I'm sure he could decide to go with two strikers for one position.

[Barbara 15,149]

The issue with that is that the third choice striker would practically be unused during the season unless there are injuries.This season all of our strikers were poor and we never really had a first choice striker, but still we ended up with Ba not getting much minutes. Imagine how that will be when we have some like Costa who will start every single match unless he is injured or unless it is a small match that Jose wants to rest him in. Ideally, that third striker would be a youngster who would be on the bench and cover when needed while still playing at times with the U21s to stay fresh, but we all know that's not gonna happen at Chelsea. But like I said, Schurrle can cover for emergencies.

If Jose can decide to play half the season with only 6 defenders for the 4 positions then I'm sure he could decide to go with two strikers for one position.

Tell me which top-10 team in EPL didn't have their strikers injured this season at least once? Etoo, Torres, Daniel, Aguero, Podolski, van Persie, Lukaku, Dzeko, Rodriguez, etc...

When it comes to strikers injuries aren't about if, but when... in that case having only two is suicidal imo

[BloodIsBlue 291]

We got pretty lucky with injuries this season, they were pretty much a non-issue. No bad results can be attributed to injury because we never had a spell like Arsenal to justify that excuse. Next season we may not be so lucky...

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Tell me which top-10 team in EPL didn't have their strikers injured this season at least once? Etoo, Torres, Daniel, Aguero, Podolski, van Persie, Lukaku, Dzeko, Rodriguez, etc...

When it comes to strikers injuries aren't about if, but when... in that case having only two is suicidal imo

And how often does it happen that a team has two strikers injured at the same time? I thought it was suicidal that we went into the second half of the season with only six defenders, much much more suicidal especially that defenders get injured as often as strikers do, but we did it because we had a settled back four who were going to start every game if fit. That's my point about next season, if we have striker who we know will start every game if fit, then I can see Jose going with only two striker to eliminate some selection headaches.