Romelu Lukaku

[The only place to be 11,313]

To be fair, the only player I'd keep out of Mata, De Bruyne and Essien....is De Bruyne, due to his potential.

As for Lukaku, selling him makes no sense UNLESS you are buying a world-class striker (e.g. Cavani, Suarez, Ibra, Falcao)

We're signing a striker in the summer so the best Lukaku can hope for is to be the second-choice striker, which isn't going to be easy if we keep Eto'o around.

I agree about De Bruyne though and Jose was quite happy to keep him around but De Bruyne wanted to leave. The kid was happier getting a certain start for a slightly above mid-table Bundesliga side than fighting for a spot in a title-challenging Premier League team (unlike Schurrle who worked his bollocks off and got starts). If that's his attitude then fuck him.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Tottenham Hotspur put in-demand Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku top of their summer shopping list

Why not? Maybe we could give Willian free of cost as a bonus.

Levy can SMD

[Jase 43,479]

Alan Pardew admits he is an admirer of Romelu Lukaku

[Jase 43,479]

We're signing a striker in the summer so the best Lukaku can hope for is to be the second-choice striker, which isn't going to be easy if we keep Eto'o around.

I agree about De Bruyne though and Jose was quite happy to keep him around but De Bruyne wanted to leave. The kid was happier getting a certain start for a slightly above mid-table Bundesliga side than fighting for a spot in a title-challenging Premier League team (unlike Schurrle who worked his bollocks off and got starts). If that's his attitude then fuck him.

Eh, really? Judging by what Mourinho said a few times about not being happy with his performances, training etc (though I do really wonder how bad it is), looks as though he was willing enough to let De Bruyne go. Out of the 3 you mentioned there, the one that he wants to keep the most by the looks of it (at least for this season) was Mata rather than De Bruyne or even Essien.

[lionsden 4,689]

I don't get the feeling that Jose rated him from the start and I wouldn't be surprised if theres substance to the rumours. It will be a real shame because he never got to fulfill his dream of playing for his beloved club. if we must sell him it has to be abroad. Another potential repeat of the Sturridge gaffe will be unbearable.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

The kid was happier getting a certain start for a slightly above mid-table Bundesliga side than fighting for a spot in a title-challenging Premier League team (unlike Schurrle who worked his bollocks off and got starts). If that's his attitude then fuck him.

I think he fought for a spot and lost. Can't blame someone for wanting to play. Who exactly was he going to replace in the squad?

[Eggman 118]

I thought that Mou was a fan of Lukaku even before he was in Anderlecht's first team at the age of 16?

[Fernando 6,488]

I think he fought for a spot and lost. Can't blame someone for wanting to play. Who exactly was he going to replace in the squad?

Never did, never had the mentality of azpi.

I agree with the only place to be. Screw that guy, and it would be the same for lukaku.

He ain't going to be the main striker next season. He has to fight for it and prove it like many players have done this season.

If he's not up to that task then he will be sold/loan.

[Pizy 18,419]

I don't get the feeling that Jose rated him from the start and I wouldn't be surprised if theres substance to the rumours. It will be a real shame because he never got to fulfill his dream of playing for his beloved club. if we must sell him it has to be abroad. Another potential repeat of the Sturridge gaffe will be unbearable.

I grew with this. I definitely think there's something to these rumors.

We're 100% sure that a top class striker will be bought so will Lukaku be content with being 2nd or even 3rd choice if we retain Eto'o? Knowing that he could be first choice at numerous other pretty big clubs I'd say no.

I'd absolutely love for him to be a monster for us and be first choice but I still don think he's quite ready yet for that. He'll still get plenty of playing time here even if he's not first choice.

Under no circumstances should we even consider selling him to a PL side.

[duo11bluecl 207]

Louder and louder rumors of him being sold, there goes the Chelsea fan+wanting to become a legend aim. Just to show you guys that sentimental only exist for the fans AND NOT THE PLAYERS or the club or the manager. We as a club will do in the best of our interest to move forward and sometime that mean making unpopular decisions like this. So like I said don't get too attracted to any player at the club until they have been here for at least 4-5 years because most of them will just come and go, no point getting your hope up.

The thing with Lukaku is that he is too laid back imo, having watch him in numerous games this season he is not the type of striker that try to win the ball back but rather waiting for others to create for him. He got a good finish but that is about it really, no aspect of his game is world class yet. And from a young age if you don't show enough potential you just have to go. For any youngster who wants to make it big at a club of Chelsea side, they need to REALLY SHOW IT FROM EARLY or being signed for huge fee. And by show it early I am talking about Varane style promise. The one that will catch attention of the football world not just promising one like Bertrands. Hell even Sturridge got overlooked despite scoring like what, 10 goals in AVB's time? I know we eventually regretted it but imo he would have never fit in with Jose anyway because he is NOT HARD WORKING.

Btw just an interesting though, if Courtois and Lukaku both leave this summer we will actually have Hazard left as the main Belgian in our team, kind of surprising and unexpected considering the promises they all show 2 years ago.

[Fulham Broadway 16,923]

Louder and louder rumors of him being sold, there goes the Chelsea fan+wanting to become a legend aim. Just to show you guys that sentimental only exist for the fans AND NOT THE PLAYERS or the club or the manager. We as a club will do in the best of our interest to move forward and sometime that mean making unpopular decisions like this. So like I said don't get too attracted to any player at the club until they have been here for at least 4-5 years because most of them will just come and go, no point getting your hope up.

The thing with Lukaku is that he is too laid back imo, having watch him in numerous games this season he is not the type of striker that try to win the ball back but rather waiting for others to create for him. He got a good finish but that is about it really, no aspect of his game is world class yet. And from a young age if you don't show enough potential you just have to go. For any youngster who wants to make it big at a club of Chelsea side, they need to REALLY SHOW IT FROM EARLY or being signed for huge fee. And by show it early I am talking about Varane style promise. The one that will catch attention of the football world not just promising one like Bertrands. Hell even Sturridge got overlooked despite scoring like what, 10 goals in AVB's time? I know we eventually regretted it but imo he would have never fit in with Jose anyway because he is NOT HARD WORKING.

Btw just an interesting though, if Courtois and Lukaku both leave this summer we will actually have Hazard left as the main Belgian in our team, kind of surprising and unexpected considering the promises they all show 2 years ago.

Good shout. The only thing I might dispute is that Lukaku can still learn, and Mourinho, given a few weeks with him could possibly mould him into proper Chels format

[Melanicus 5,208]

If you know what I mean...

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

The problem is Lukaku isn't really improving. His biggest flaws two years ago are all still there. But if we can live with Torres, we can live with Lukaku. His link up play is bad, can't hold up the ball, while being huge, isn't good in the air. His assets are that he's big and fast and can finish. He should be used like Jose is using Torres this year. Against teams that allow us space. If he's happy with that role, he's welcome to stay. But if we get a huge offer, don't see why we shouldn't sell a perennial second choice striker.

[didierforever 7,349]

The problem is Lukaku isn't really improving. His biggest flaws two years ago are all still there. But if we can live with Torres, we can live with Lukaku. His link up play is bad, can't hold up the ball, while being huge, isn't good in the air. His assets are that he's big and fast and can finish. He should be used like Jose is using Torres this year. Against teams that allow us space. If he's happy with that role, he's welcome to stay. But if we get a huge offer, don't see why we shouldn't sell a perennial second choice striker.

Oh god!!! Dude he is 20. 20 damn years old. Most players have not achieved half of what he has at his age. DD wasb barely pplaying professional football. Lukaku has only one place to go from here, and that is get better. He is a second striker cos he is still raw. If he actually gets to his peak, he will be one of the best or the best striker in the world.

Moreover, he is a goalscorer. If we sell him for 20-25mil now, that value will hardly change over the course of next 2-3 years whether he improves or not. You don't sell assets which can be the future of the club specially in an area where he already might be better than 2 players we have, for a small margin of profit.

[The only place to be 11,313]

The problem is Lukaku isn't really improving.

Not sure if that's a problem, mainly because it isn't that true. He has improved over the course of the season but he had a drop in form before his injury which is almost certainly down to being overplayed by Everton. Since he came back from injury he's very much getting back into form and playing well.

[Fulham Broadway 16,923]

If he returns, and hes nurtured, caressed, and told hes the best striker at Chelsea since Drogba, by Mourinho then potentially hes dynamite. Until then its all hypothetical.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Oh god!!! Dude he is 20. 20 damn years old. Most players have not achieved half of what he has at his age. DD wasb barely pplaying professional football. Lukaku has only one place to go from here, and that is get better. He is a second striker cos he is still raw. If he actually gets to his peak, he will be one of the best or the best striker in the world.

Moreover, he is a goalscorer. If we sell him for 20-25mil now, that value will hardly change over the course of next 2-3 years whether he improves or not. You don't sell assets which can be the future of the club specially in an area where he already might be better than 2 players we have, for a small margin of profit.

I'm not asking him to be sold. If you read again, I want him to be second choice and be used like Torres. But I do feel that he won't be able to improve his weaknesses enough and will only ever be good enough to be considered 2nd choice and so if someone comes in with a huge offer for a second choice striker, we should definitely consider it. Similar to Mata really, doesn't mean he's a bad player, just doesn't fit the requirements of what Chelsea need in a striker and is therefore expendable if and only if the right offer comes in.

Not sure if that's a problem, mainly because it isn't that true. He has improved over the course of the season but he had a drop in form before his injury which is almost certainly down to being overplayed by Everton. Since he came back from injury he's very much getting back into form and playing well.

I don't see the improvement in some key areas. He's scoring goals no doubt. He'll always score goals, I'll never doubt that but I don't see the improvement.

His weaknesses when he joined were:

• Poor first touch
• Poor at holding the ball up
• Poor in the air
• Poor defensive workrate
• Poor offensive awareness

Those are still his weaknesses. Doesn't matter if he's young, it's been 2 years and everyone will still say those are still his weaknesses. Mind you, this doesn't mean he's a bad player. I just don't think his strengths align with what Jose and Chelsea require in a first choice striker.

I think he'd be great as second choice striker and be used like Torres is at the moment against teams that allow space in behind where he'll only have to call upon his strengths. Similar to how Schurrle fits in our AM band. He's not good on the ball and struggles when involved in the build-up but is completely different player off the ball, running into spaces and utilizing his strengths.

I also realize no player is perfect. Everyone has weaknesses and it's easy to write-up ten paragraphs about every player and their weakness. So my point isn't really that he has weaknesses or he hasn't improved in those areas. I bring up those weaknesses because unfortunately to fit in this Chelsea team, he needs those specific qualities. So when I say he hasn't improved, I am speaking in relative to what I feel we need in a first choice striker.

In other teams, they may not care about a striker who can hold the ball up, win aerial duels consistently, link up and get 10 assists every season. These teams would sell prime Drogba for prime Torres. Nothing wrong with that, doesn't mean they are bad players, just means they aren't good fits. Similar to Mata, just cause we sold him doesn't make him a bad player. He just doesn't fit imo. The only way he'll ever be good enough to be first choice is if he improves drastically in the areas that I listed. So to project his future, I'm focused on those specific attributes and I haven't seen much improvement there over 2 years, hence I don't feel he'll ever be turn those into strengths required for Chelsea.

Second choice striker against teams that allow space. Impact sub when you need a goal. That's what I project for him as far it goes for Chelsea. And based on that, that player isn't worth 30M for Chelsea specifically. As in, you wouldn't want Jose to spend 30M for a second choice striker. Depending on playing style, he might be worth that on other teams, so if an extraordinary offer comes we should definitely consider it.

[Strike 7,254]

I'm not asking him to be sold. If you read again, I want him to be second choice and be used like Torres. But I do feel that he won't be able to improve his weaknesses enough and will only ever be good enough to be considered 2nd choice and so if someone comes in with a huge offer for a second choice striker, we should definitely consider it. Similar to Mata really, doesn't mean he's a bad player, just doesn't fit the requirements of what Chelsea need in a striker and is therefore expendable if and only if the right offer comes in.

I don't see the improvement in some key areas. He's scoring goals no doubt. He'll always score goals, I'll never doubt that but I don't see the improvement.

His weaknesses when he joined were:

• Poor first touch
• Poor at holding the ball up
• Poor in the air
• Poor defensive workrate
• Poor offensive awareness

Those are still his weaknesses. Doesn't matter if he's young, it's been 2 years and everyone will still say those are still his weaknesses. Mind you, this doesn't mean he's a bad player. I just don't think his strengths align with what Jose and Chelsea require in a first choice striker.

I think he'd be great as second choice striker and be used like Torres is at the moment against teams that allow space in behind where he'll only have to call upon his strengths. Similar to how Schurrle fits in our AM band. He's not good on the ball and struggles when involved in the build-up but is completely different player off the ball, running into spaces and utilizing his strengths.

I also realize no player is perfect. Everyone has weaknesses and it's easy to write-up ten paragraphs about every player and their weakness. So my point isn't really that he has weaknesses or he hasn't improved in those areas. I bring up those weaknesses because unfortunately to fit in this Chelsea team, he needs those specific qualities. So when I say he hasn't improved, I am speaking in relative to what I feel we need in a first choice striker.

In other teams, they may not care about a striker who can hold the ball up, win aerial duels consistently, link up and get 10 assists every season. These teams would sell prime Drogba for prime Torres. Nothing wrong with that, doesn't mean they are bad players, just means they aren't good fits. Similar to Mata, just cause we sold him doesn't make him a bad player. He just doesn't fit imo. The only way he'll ever be good enough to be first choice is if he improves drastically in the areas that I listed. So to project his future, I'm focused on those specific attributes and I haven't seen much improvement there over 2 years, hence I don't feel he'll ever be turn those into strengths required for Chelsea.

Second choice striker against teams that allow space. Impact sub when you need a goal. That's what I project for him as far it goes for Chelsea. And based on that, that player isn't worth 30M for Chelsea specifically. As in, you wouldn't want Jose to spend 30M for a second choice striker. Depending on playing style, he might be worth that on other teams, so if an extraordinary offer comes we should definitely consider it.

Even Shogun said pretty much the same thing about him