Romelu Lukaku

[Special Juan 28,095]

If it weren't for Mourinho's steadfastly stubborn approach to Lukaku's demands, the Belgian might well have been able to do just that.

Lukaku's demands

They should of just written that, because that was why his existence here was terminated.

[Jype 6,398]

Interesting piece on Lukaku in my opinion:

http://www.whoscored.com/Articles/0lx3whf7q0m5kzzbxaa77q/Show/Team-Focus-Is-Chelseas-Decision-to-Sell-Lukaku-the-Right-One

'Interesting', as in whoever wrote that agrees with you.

"Romelu was always clear that in his mentality and his approach he was not highly motivated to come to a competitive situation", Mourinho was quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror, citing the Belgian striker's previous roles as first pick on loan at both West Brom and Everton. "He wanted to play for Chelsea but clearly only as the first choice striker - and at a club of our dimension it's very difficult to promise a player that status."

Fair enough, then, José! Get rid! Rid the club of this horribly selfish player, hell-bent on seeing his impressive performances rewarded with a chance at first team football!

If only it was that simple. Lukaku was not just "wanting to see his impressive performances rewarded with a chance at first team football" as much as he was demanding that we give up on signing Costa and give him the undisputed number one striker role intended for Diego. Comparisons between Lukaku and Torres, Ba, Eto'o are moronic because that's not the one people should be comparing, it's rather Lukaku against Costa where I know which one I would choose 100 times out of 100.

Convincing an unruly 21-year-old Lukaku to fight for his place hardly seems beyond his powers, and if the decision to sell him was merely to avoid such confrontation then it is a selfish act by Mourinho that could be to the detriment of his club.

Yeah, let's just knowingly keep a player who's been throwing a tantrum for the last year because that's what's best for squad morale. Fuck logic.

The part about FFP and Cavani is also pretty much bullshit. Lukaku's FFP cost to the club was around £6m a year but selling him now gave the club a lump sum profit of well over £20m so overall a difference of almost £30m this year. If we now signed Cavani, who'd be hands down the most expensive realistic option for us on the market, he'd cost around £15m a year so with the Lukaku money in the bank we'd only have to worry about his effect on FFP in two years from now and by then we are 100% certain to have Torres (£18.5m a year) off the books when his contract expires so even then it would make little difference. And if we signed a cheaper alternative or no one at all, the profit made from selling Lukaku is enormous.

[ParNolio7 285]

If only it was that simple. Lukaku was not just "wanting to see his impressive performances rewarded with a chance at first team football" as much as he was demanding that we give up on signing Costa and give him the undisputed number one striker role intended for Diego.

So you were there when Mourinho & Lukaku had their talk? Lucky you!

[ParNolio7 285]

The part about FFP and Cavani is also pretty much bullshit. Lukaku's FFP cost to the club was around £6m a year but selling him now gave the club a lump sum profit of well over £20m so overall a difference of almost £30m this year. If we now signed Cavani, who'd be hands down the most expensive realistic option for us on the market, he'd cost around £15m a year so with the Lukaku money in the bank we'd only have to worry about his effect on FFP in two years from now and by then we are 100% certain to have Torres (£18.5m a year) off the books when his contract expires so even then it would make little difference. And if we signed a cheaper alternative or no one at all, the profit made from selling Lukaku is enormous.

Agreed and not agreed. Agreed on the numbers, but not on the fact that FFP would actually be on José's mind to decide about a player's future.

[The only place to be 11,313]

So you were there when Mourinho & Lukaku had their talk? Lucky you!

From someone who lied about Chelsea supporters booing Lukaku, that's pretty rich.

[ParNolio7 285]

'Interesting', as in whoever wrote that agrees with you.

It tries to objectivate (is that a word?) some of the points that I've been argueing.

Anyway, one thing is for sure, an additional top striker should be signed now. We're one injury away from disaster, no one can deny that.

Maybe try and take Joel Campbell away from the Arse? Looked top class to me in the WC!

[ParNolio7 285]

From someone who lied about Chelsea supporters booing Lukaku, that's pretty rich.

Haha, it's a figure of speech for the criticism and mockery basically that he got after his first couple of unsuccesful, clumsy debut appearances. Just check this forum as an example after his first couple of matches. But it was understandable, he totally didn't live up to the Chelsea level. But my point was that he shouldn't have been put in that position. Everybody in Belgium knew that he wasn't good enough back then, still so very rough, should've been loaned out straight away to return and have a proper go two or three years later. Alas!

[Dion 2,476]

Love or hate him. You can't deny that is a stat for him and even others to be proud of. Some of the players listed below scored their goals in much inferior leagues as well.

Neymar's is wrong. He scored 60 domestic league goals when 21. 54 at Santos + 6 at Barcelona. Just sayin'. Also this information is all out of context but whatever.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

He had to wait behind Aguero and Falcao lol. He was patient and waited than seized his opportunity. He's light years ahead of Lukaku as far as skill

He was loaned out for most of those waiting years, and I didn't mention Lukaku. I was responding to the "one of the best forwards in Europe" quote. ;-)

[Clevemayer 764]

tbf Mou is right and Rom haven't said it is not true.

wish him well, with this attitude didn't deserve to be with us, thats it. 28 Mio nicely done, nearly 35 Mio €, nough for me.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9400974/transfer-news-jose-mourinho-criticises-lukakus-attitude-at-chelsea#ooid=91cDNjbzpJQqkSBPDs2e_8rvgAhg_rqW

[The Skipper 20,609]

He was loaned out for most of those waiting years, and I didn't mention Lukaku. I was responding to the "one of the best forwards in Europe" quote. ;-)

Nothing wrong with that quote because he led his team very well and was actually one of the best forwards in Europe last year.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

Nothing wrong with that quote because he led his team very well and was actually one of the best forwards in Europe last year.

That's why I myself said he was one of the best forwards in Europe last year. Which is something different to one of the best forwards in Europe in general. ;-)

[SinineUltra 1,170]

Love or hate him. You can't deny that is a stat for him and even others to be proud of. Some of the players listed below scored their goals in much inferior leagues as well.

Immense numbers but the table only offers us a comparison with the best of the best forwards, what about young stars who flopped? Would paint a whole different picture and perspective. Stats and graphs will never tell us if a player will carry on to improve and fulfill his potential.

[Whiskey 173]

An absolute disgrace to sell this guy. I dont care one cent if we got a "decent" bid for him.

This feels almost like Sturridge all over again to me. Never testing or giving a guy a decent try before selling him. What the hell, we arent Arsenal who are more of a company than a football club.

Costa, Lukaku and Drogba would have been fucking immense to run with. And to everyone who asks "what about Torres?". I dont care, either select Torres for cupgames, send him on a loan or handle him like Malouda.

Once again, Im utterly disappointed even if this transfer window has turned out great, this drags it down immensly. I see no reason what so ever as to why we would sell Lukaku. Im sure he's gonna tear us down every once in a while now on the pitch aswell...

[The Skipper 20,609]

I see no reason what so ever as to why we would sell Lukaku.

Seems like I'm repeating myself, but have you ever thought about it the other way? Have you ever thought about the fact that Romelu didn't even want to be here to begin with and that he wanted assurances that he was the number 1 striker here?