Romelu Lukaku

[Stats 7,059]

While it is good to see him having another season of goals and developing well it is also reasonable to say that loaning him out as proved to be our downfall in probably falling short of the title. Lukaku would of made up for our strikers profligacy in front of goal in many matches this season. Today is just one of a few. But there has been Stoke, West Ham, West Brom and Everton and there are matches where we have just about won thanks to an individual brilliance from Hazard or other midfielders. Really frustrating to see how the lack of prolific strikers has let us down time and time again and while he would not of had as much playing time as at Everton he would of been useful at these sort of matches ahead of useless Torres.

As much as Eto'o has improved and would be happy to see him stay another year, I hope it is not at the expense of Lukaku because next season Eto'o will probably naturally decline and will not be able to play on a consistent basis whereas Lukaku will be fresh, improved and a player who most importantly will get us goals.

[The only place to be 11,313]

While it is good to see him having another season of goals and developing well it is also reasonable to say that loaning him out as proved to be our downfall in probably falling short of the title. Lukaku would of made up for our strikers profligacy in front of goal in many matches this season. Today is just one of a few. But there has been Stoke, West Ham, West Brom and Everton and there are matches where we have just about won thanks to an individual brilliance from Hazard or other midfielders. Really frustrating to see how the lack of prolific strikers has let us down time and time again and while he would not of had as much playing time as at Everton he would of been useful at these sort of matches ahead of useless Torres.

As much as Eto'o has improved and would be happy to see him stay another year, I hope it is not at the expense of Lukaku because next season Eto'o will probably naturally decline and will not be able to play on a consistent basis whereas Lukaku will be fresh, improved and a player who most importantly will get us goals.

In short - Jose cost us the title by loaning out Lukaku.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

In short - Jose cost us the title by loaning out Lukaku.

Nah, Im sure there wouldnt be much difference. Mou COULD try Cole and Azpi in these small games several times. He COULD try more offensive team/approach against smaller teams. He had all the players to do that. Did he? He could play Azpi way ago, but he sticked to Cole-Iva all the way untill Cole's injury forced him to use Azpi. Should there be no injury, Azpi wouldnt get that chance. He COULD play Oscar deeper (clearly Oscar who was fantastic player this year, he is shit #10 for several months, he is tracking brilliantly, but he has creativity on level of Ramires atm). He COULD rotate the team from earlier stages to check best formations and tactics. He COULD make this team play more offensive. The main reason people are behind his tactics are results. So far, results arent THAT good. He COULD play Luiz in midfield earlier, he did that when he was forced to do it, due to injuries.

Mourinho is the kind of manager who wants certainity. He wont make any tricks even if they could benefit the team. He will stick to his methods and once someone is off, there is absolutely no chance of his comming back.

As I said, his tactics are approved because of good results. This season we played like total shit on numerous games, putting big games aside, I could count on one hand our realy good performances vs smaller teams. We won luckily in the end, or drew/lost in most others. He is the man who makes great tactics and motivates, but apart from big games, he realy wasnt anything special. Rafa last year brought team together through end and cant realy put some extra reward to Mou for ''bringing team together'' this season. We finished 3rd last year. In this, when ManU, Spurs are super shit. Arsenal doing arsenal as usual and Lpool who is making wonders with this squad, we should make at least 2nd place. Summer passed by when Mou bought Willian and Schurrle for 50mio (they did good, but for 50mio, you would expect little more, no?).

We had nice chance to win title this year, City will be more experienced next year, Lpool will be very dangerous if they keep SAS, Arsenal too, ManU couldnt be worse than this season, Spurs too, it will be much harder to win title next year. We will get few new players who will improve us, but we will have to do better against smaller teams or all those signings wont help us one bit.

P.S. This isnt just respond to you, but generaly to the topic

[didierforever 7,349]

The difference in class of torres and etoo is so vast that its hilarious.

Matches like today could have been so different with him upfront.

[Jase 43,479]

Chelsea to tempt Everton with transfer swap of Ross Barkley for Romelu Lukaku

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Chelsea to tempt Everton with transfer swap of Ross Barkley for Romelu Lukaku

Why in the world would we do that? The thing we most need is a striker and the thing we least need is an attacking midfielder.

[zolayes 14,489]

Why in the world would we do that? The thing we most need is a striker and the thing we least need is an attacking midfielder.

don't worry its the Cracked Mirror again

[Hariz Cirak 12]

We should keep Lukaku. He has the potential to be one of the best strikers. Not loan him out next season.... or sell him.

[Jase 43,479]

Everton will wait until the summer before addressing the issue of loan star Romelu Lukaku's future

[BlueLion. 21,491]

There are some games that guile and trickery won't win - just like yesterday. Sometimes you need a battering ram. Selling Lukaku would be even greater a mistake than selling Sturridge has proved to be.

[YouNameIt 1,511]

There are some games that guile and trickery won't win - just like yesterday. Sometimes you need a battering ram. Selling Lukaku would be even greater a mistake than selling Sturridge has proved to be.

Couldnt agree more.

[bushman 2,043]

According to the latest:

The Blues have informed Everton that they can sign Lukaku but only if they either pay his 25m valuation or pay half & add midfielder Barkley to the deal.

Now, what´s your scoop on this deal?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Barkley in the pivot alongside Matic sorts out the central midfield for the foreseeable future. If Lukaku isn't a Jose-type player then there's no point keeping him - but I do honestly think we'll regret selling him as much as we regret selling Sturridge. Give him time and experience and he will flourish.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

Barkley in the pivot alongside Matic sorts out the central midfield for the foreseeable future. If Lukaku isn't a Jose-type player then there's no point keeping him - but I do honestly think we'll regret selling him as much as we regret selling Sturridge. Give him time and experience and he will flourish.

Barkley has played one game in central midfield this season. He's an attacking midfielder and that's where he plays the best. He might be able to play centrally and be effective, but I wouldn't go so far as to say it would sort out our central midfield. I like him, but I don't really see the need for Barkley on this team.

[bushman 2,043]

Barkley in the pivot alongside Matic sorts out the central midfield for the foreseeable future. If Lukaku isn't a Jose-type player then there's no point keeping him - but I do honestly think we'll regret selling him as much as we regret selling Sturridge. Give him time and experience and he will flourish.

I agree, but Jose is the boss. Lukaku had said some things that do not sit well with Jose. We both know, Jose is one stubborn mule & he will never forgive the kid. This is a no win situation for the kid or the club, I feel.

[Mufassir08 2,400]

A lot of newspapers are now reporting that Lukaku is indeed up for sale.Would be a damn shame if he leaves and I really dont think we'll be able to get more then 15-18m for him right now.

[bushman 2,043]

A lot of newspapers are now reporting that Lukaku is indeed up for sale.Would be a damn shame if he leaves and I really dont think we'll be able to get more then 15-18m for him right now.

Chelsea´s asking price is 25m.

The club paid 18m for him two years ago.

The Profit denied?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Barkley has played one game in central midfield this season. He's an attacking midfielder and that's where he plays the best. He might be able to play centrally and be effective, but I wouldn't go so far as to say it would sort out our central midfield. I like him, but I don't really see the need for Barkley on this team.

He's young and can be moulded into the deeper midfield role where Mourinho would most likely play him, but I see your point.