Romelu Lukaku

[Stats 7,142]

That is somewhat true, but he's still better than Lukaku, imho. I do hope he proves me wrong, but I think he still needs some work before he can link-up and hold-up well enough for a team like Chelsea in the PL.

No way. Lukaku proved it in one loan spell he is better than Torres. Torres played way more mins than Lukaku last season I am sure and his goals in the PL is no way near Lukaku's. Lukaku is stronger, they are around the same type of speed but Lukaku is younger and improving and I am sure if you gave Lukaku the sort of chances this season that Torres had last season, Lukaku would do much more in terms of goals and assists.

I hope he can keep proving himself as it seems that Mourinho has hinted he will be in the starting lineup against Hull.

[Stats 7,142]

Look at this clip of him from last season and see his link up play, goals and assists. He managed to do all of them well last season IMO. Lol 3:21- 3:27 makes me laugh btw, the way he just physically controls the Sunderland players out the way. Amazing strength!

[CHOULO19 24,332]

No way. Lukaku proved it in one loan spell he is better than Torres. Torres played way more mins than Lukaku last season I am sure and his goals in the PL is no way near Lukaku's. Lukaku is stronger, they are around the same type of speed but Lukaku is younger and improving and I am sure if you gave Lukaku the sort of chances this season that Torres had last season, Lukaku would do much more in terms of goals and assists.

I hope he can keep proving himself as it seems that Mourinho has hinted he will be in the starting lineup against Hull.

Lukaku did better than Torres, yes, but at West Brom who only play counter attacking football which suites Romelu the most. But at Chelsea, Romelu will mostly be playing hold-up play which was always one of his main weaknesses.

Yes he is young and will develop and he will be given a lot of playing time by Jose, but I just think that when it matters most in big games, Torres will get picked ahead of him.

[Styles 9,790]

Lukaku did better than Torres, yes, but at West Brom who only play counter attacking football which suites Romelu the most. But at Chelsea, Romelu will mostly be playing hold-up play which was always one of his main weaknesses.

Yes he is young and will develop and he will be given a lot of playing time by Jose, but I just think that when it matters most in big games, Torres will get picked ahead of him.

He has improved in that regard, more so towards the end of last season. He was holding it, bring others into play and making movements that created space for others. He is learning how to do and is already much better at shielding the ball than Torres who is easily dispossessed most of the time.

Anyway I just read this and wanted to share:

Asked why Mourinho felt he could not operate naturally against sides that compress the play, he [Lukaku] said: “One day that will change. He is the manager and he has a vision of the way he wants to play. The players have to improve to do that. I certainly have it in me.”

Even when the journos try to get something from him he just bats them away with common sense. This guy just isn't just a good player, he's intelligent and humble.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

He has improved in that regard, more so towards the end of last season. He was holding it, bring others into play and making movements that created space for others. He is learning how to do and is already much better at shielding the ball than Torres who is easily dispossessed most of the time.

He still has a lot to improve on in that department. Even at Westbrom, Clark was always reluctant to play him when he needed an isolated striker to hold up play and often preferred Long to him on those situations and only brought Lukaku on in the final 20mins or so when there would be much more spaces for him to explore.

[Stats 7,142]

He still has a lot to improve on in that department. Even at Westbrom, Clark was always reluctant to play him when he needed an isolated striker to hold up play and often preferred Long to him on those situations and only brought Lukaku on in the final 20mins or so when there would be much more spaces for him to explore.

Fair point but I think Clarke done that because Long had better workrate so thus would put the opposition under more pressure and when Lukaku came on against almost every big team from the bench he made an impact. Maybe Torres might be picked for the big games and Lukaku would make a bigger impression coming on but for the Hull game I hope Lukaku is given the start.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Fair point but I think Clarke done that because Long had better workrate so thus would put the opposition under more pressure and when Lukaku came on against almost every big team from the bench he made an impact. Maybe Torres might be picked for the big games and Lukaku would make a bigger impression coming on but for the Hull game I hope Lukaku is given the start.

Exactly, he had a bigger impact off the bench against big teams because when he came on in the last 20 mins there was a lot more space to exploit. For me he's still not comfortable enough with his back to goal to be first choice at Chelsea just yet.

I am confident he will start the Hull game if we don't get Rooney as Torres will not be available for that one.

[DYC. 7,542]

As much as I like Romelu, I don't think he's ready yet. The days of a striker being just a goal-scorer are long gone, at the very top of football that is. The game has evolved and the striker role is now very demanding.

The progress he's booked at West Brom is quite incredible but playing for WBA is completely different compared to playing for Chelsea. I remember the reactions when Ba joined. He scored a lot of goals for Newcastle so he should do even better at Chelsea. That's not been the case at all.

Luckily he seems to have the right attitude so if he's patient enough he could definitely succeed and become the main striker in a few years. Don't even get what the rush is, he's 20. It took most top centre-forwards years of game time and hard work before they got to join and then actually become starter at a club of Chelsea's stature. I fully support Mourinho in getting Rooney.

[yuvala 2,167]

As much as I like Romelu, I don't think he's ready yet. The days of a striker being just a goal-scorer are long gone, at the very top of football that is. The game has evolved and the striker role is now very demanding.

The progress he's booked at West Brom is quite incredible but playing for WBA is completely different compared to playing for Chelsea. I remember the reactions when Ba joined. He scored a lot of goals for Newcastle so he should do even better at Chelsea. That's not been the case at all.

Luckily he seems to have the right attitude so if he's patient enough he could definitely succeed and become the main striker in a few years. Don't even get what the rush is, he's 20. It took most top centre-forwards years of game time and hard work before they got to join and then actually become starter at a club of Chelsea's stature. I fully support Mourinho in getting Rooney.

You're right.. but if we cant manage to get Rooney we're out of options.. So I'd take Lukaku over Torres and probably Ba.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Once he gets his first touch right by personal training, everything will follow on his way to becoming a top striker...

[Christacinto 137]

I have to say this was one solid game by the big man ... Pace, energy, decent passing, holding the ball up front better as well...

O, and two goals! 4 Chelsea goals in 3 matches that is, but I liked his overall peformance most this last match...

Bring on the big squads already and give the kid a challenge!

[Stats 7,142]

Some people will say he is not ready which is understandable. I believe he is ready and the only way to prove it is to keep scoring, regardless of the quality of opposition. Keep doing your thing Lukaku and prove what you are capable of!

[Stingray 9,441]

Some people will say he is not ready which is understandable. I believe he is ready and the only way to prove it is to keep scoring, regardless of the quality of opposition. Keep doing your thing Lukaku and prove what you are capable of!

I agree; He is young and raw. But even young and raw he will tear other teams to pieces (eg. ManU last year).

So I forgive him his sometimes awkward first touch (As I would forgive Traoré's youth sins) !

[Barbara 15,149]

I'm with @CHOULO19 and @DYC. in this one.

He has the potential, he will be better than Torres - he had better stats last season, but he is not ready for the big stage week in, week out.

I'm positive Mourinho will start Torres whenever he can (not the case against Hull) and if Lukaku does well in the matches he enters in the second half, he'll become a regular starter.

Mourinho knows he has to handle the youngsters carefully. He doesn't want to put too much pressure. Everyone knows our biggest deficiency in the squad is the striker position and then he benches Torres and put all the pressure over the 20yo guy? That doesn't look like Mou imo and I like to believe I know him quite well after all it's been 9 years following him closely in each of my teams...

As DYC said, he has time, he has the right mentality, but moving from WBA to Chelsea isn't that easy. He could nail it, or he could struggle. That's why I'm sticking with Mou doing it gradually. that is of course, if Rooney doesn't come.

If both Torres and Lukaku are in the bench then I think he might have an edge over Torres because Mourinho doesn't stroke egos and he might prefer to develop a new and promising player than keep giving chances to a veteran that is clearly in decline.

edit: btw, can the Belgians (or whoelse) help me here? is Lukaku or Lukaku?

[Stingray 9,441]

Lukaku