Romelu Lukaku

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

2 hours ago, kiwi1691 said:

 

Disgraceful from lukaku

Lukaku is a bit of a dick, but he sure pulled weight there

 

Shut down a veteran like Williams, then whined about it to his friend pogba in front of the world after the match. He either runs the dressing room, or he has already been frozen out.

[OhForAGreavsie 5,898]

10 hours ago, nono said:

 

He is playing fucking woeful. Low iq, poor first touch, poor hold up play. I'll go into panic if we sign him. 

 

10 hours ago, Stats said:

Such an overreaction.

I don't agree that Rom has a low IQ. Indeed, I believe it is his relatively high IQ which has helped him make the most of his attributes.

When Rom was 19, I posted to say that his general IQ would help him to accept what he can do, and what he cannot. That acceptance has helped Rom construct a game around his strengths and the good goalscoring record is the result. People should not be blinded by that record however. I predicted in that same post that the 19 year old's technical limitations would always prevent any top level club being satisfied to have him as their leading striker and I think that has been bourne out.

It's clear Rom expected to receive offers last summer from clubs capable of winning the Champions League, but none came. There were rumours about interest from Chelsea, but Everton confirmed that no bids were made.

Some people believe that goals are a striker's function and that if he scores lots of them, that is enough. I've never shared that opinion. Even if Rom gets his move to a top level club I believe it wouldn't be long before that club is back in the market for an upgrade.

 

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

On 4/1/2017 at 7:15 PM, The Skipper said:

Lukaku vs. other Top 7 clubs this season:

Liverpool: 0G 0A
Tottenham: 1G 0A
City: 2G 0A
United: 0G 0A
Chelsea: 0G 0A

Total: 3G 0A in 8 appearances

Costa vs. Top 7 clubs this season:

Liverpool: 1G 0A
Tottenham: 0G 1A
City: 1G 1A
United: 0G 0A
Everton: 1G 1A

Total: 3G 3A in 9 appearances.

What's remarkable for Costa is that he's been on 3G 3A since December 2016. We've played Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal since in the PL, and he hasn't contributed anything.

I wonder if this record has anything to do with how the teams play? Everton is almost never on the front foot against these teams and aren't very good on the counter either.  Not to mention the guy is 23 not 28

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

5 hours ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

 

I don't agree that Rom has a low IQ. Indeed, I believe it is his relatively high IQ which has helped him make the most of his attributes.

When Rom was 19, I posted to say that his general IQ would help him to accept what he can do, and what he cannot. That acceptance has helped Rom construct a game around his strengths and the good goalscoring record is the result. People should not be blinded by that record however. I predicted in that same post that the 19 year old's technical limitations would always prevent any top level club being satisfied to have him as their leading striker and I think that has been bourne out.

It's clear Rom expected to receive offers last summer from clubs capable of winning the Champions League, but none came. There were rumours about interest from Chelsea, but Everton confirmed that no bids were made.

Some people believe that goals are a striker's function and that if he scores lots of them, that is enough. I've never shared that opinion. Even if Rom gets his move to a top level club I believe it wouldn't be long before that club is back in the market for an upgrade.

 

no bids but I bet good money there were inquiries

[coolhead23 1,146]

Watching Lukaku's game yesterday which was so frustrating at time ... kept going to the same thing: how come he scored so many goals  

[Fernando 6,488]

10 minutes ago, coolhead23 said:

Watching Lukaku's game yesterday which was so frustrating at time ... kept going to the same thing: how come he scored so many goals  

I'm starting to think that Lukaku is more of a poacher like Chicharito was? 

[coolhead23 1,146]

6 minutes ago, Fernando said:

I'm starting to think that Lukaku is more of a poacher like Chicharito was? 

Honestly wouldnt compare the 2 in terms of attitude ... maybe yes the poacher angle but looking at Lukaku yesterday you couldnt find any passion ( a 35 yr old Zlatan was more energetic) however with Chicha he's very lively ... 

[OhForAGreavsie 5,898]

29 minutes ago, Chelsea Legend 11 said:

no bids but I bet good money there were inquiries

I think you're right, there may well have been. It'll be interesting to see if any serious intent emerges this summer.

[Stats 7,059]

5 hours ago, coolhead23 said:

Honestly wouldnt compare the 2 in terms of attitude ... maybe yes the poacher angle but looking at Lukaku yesterday you couldnt find any passion ( a 35 yr old Zlatan was more energetic) however with Chicha he's very lively ... 

He was mixed yesterday. He went out wide couple times and beat Rojo with complete ease and just was unlucky with final outcome. He caused them problems with his power and pace. Lukaku defo is not just a poacher. Just look at some of his goals this season.

[Sideshow Luiz 2,310]

I still think that Lukaku is one of the best young promising strikers around.  The level that everyone seems to rate him against is that of the finished article.  He's still so young.

If Diego goes in the summer, I'd be happy to bring Lukaku back.  I really get the impression that he WANTS to play for us.  That goes a long way with me.

[akgw13 867]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39521532

Interesting piece about Lukaku

 

This really shocked me:

[the wes 7,212]

Another two goals from lukaku today 

[ja1 1,166]

On 07/04/2017 at 1:12 PM, akgw13 said:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39521532

Interesting piece about Lukaku

 

This really shocked me:

Funny how it was quiet after this article debunked a few of the myths and overreactions going on after one Lukaku match. 

[Leif 6,006]

Andy Carroll scored vs. top teams more often than Drogba did in 2010/2011, but we wouldn't have brought him in if Drogba were to leave, no way.

Perfect example, IMO, seeing as Lukaku and Carroll share 80% of the same qualities, and wouldn't even be a sidestep from Costa, but an obvious downgrade. Costa in a purple-patch is in another league compared to Lukaku in a purple-patch.

Goals mean so much less than people make them out to be. Otherwise Nistelrooy, Inzaghi & Berbatov would be hailed the 3 greatest strikers of our time. All of them were moved on despite still scoring plenty, for good reason. There's only so long you can put up with the consistent frustration a player like Lukaku brings. His style is anti-football. He scores goals, but that's it. No style. A simple-minded player. A could-have-been player. Effective? Sure. But so is Defoe, and Modeste is banging them in in Germany too. I doubt either are desired by any of us though. Why should Lukaku be desired?

It's like being a Formula 1 driver who can drive really fast but has no idea how to turn corners. The top brands will rarely ever sign a one-dimensional sportsman. They'd have to be exceedingly good at that 1 thing they do - better than anyone else around does it - to be considered. Lukaku is not the best goalscorer around. He has far many more flaws too compared to his peers who score the same amount as him.

[Pizy 18,419]

As great as we are in transitioning between defense and attack, the thought of the freight train that is Lukaku leading our counter attacks is dreamy. 

Just hope Zlatan decides to stay at United because they'll probably be our only competition. Though, with the way they're playing under Koeman he may yet decide to stay at Everton.

[El P. 1,354]

Whatever you say about Lukaku and Costa, one thing is clear - Lukaku has very good "header" on the ball, could be even better with time. Not just "header", Diego can't even jump. That is one of his biggest disadvantages, if you ask me. Tall targetman who cannot head the ball into the net for his life.

Also, Lukaku can actually shot outside of the box, decently powerful shot.

Don't know really who I rate higher between the two, maybe Lukaku by a small distance, but would like to se Lukaku in top team to really prove himself, for sure.

[LondonsFinest 692]

23 hours ago, Leif said:

Andy Carroll scored vs. top teams more often than Drogba did in 2010/2011, but we wouldn't have brought him in if Drogba were to leave, no way.

Perfect example, IMO, seeing as Lukaku and Carroll share 80% of the same qualities, and wouldn't even be a sidestep from Costa, but an obvious downgrade. Costa in a purple-patch is in another league compared to Lukaku in a purple-patch.

Goals mean so much less than people make them out to be. Otherwise Nistelrooy, Inzaghi & Berbatov would be hailed the 3 greatest strikers of our time. All of them were moved on despite still scoring plenty, for good reason. There's only so long you can put up with the consistent frustration a player like Lukaku brings. His style is anti-football. He scores goals, but that's it. No style. A simple-minded player. A could-have-been player. Effective? Sure. But so is Defoe, and Modeste is banging them in in Germany too. I doubt either are desired by any of us though. Why should Lukaku be desired?

It's like being a Formula 1 driver who can drive really fast but has no idea how to turn corners. The top brands will rarely ever sign a one-dimensional sportsman. They'd have to be exceedingly good at that 1 thing they do - better than anyone else around does it - to be considered. Lukaku is not the best goalscorer around. He has far many more flaws too compared to his peers who score the same amount as him.

Let me start this long post off by saying: "I do not want Lukaku, nor do I rate him as big as some people do."

However, Lukaku has massively improved. I was one of the people who was slating him, because he really was frustrating. But, Koeman has worked on his technical aspects. I will lay out my arguments on why Lukaku would be able to replace Diego and why he wouldn't, so please bear with me, here:

- Diego isn't better than him technically - Diego is as frustrating as you can get, when off form. Dire passing, no dribbling ability, rarely manages to hold on to the ball, can't shield with his body, no aerial pressence. He offers NOTHING. Basically like playing with 10 men. Lukaku, while not being the second coming of Suarez, is still an okay player with the ball at his feet. He also has a good aerial presence on him, good headers. He can shield and bully defenders. He also has okay passing on him, can name quite a few times he has managed to create fast counter-attacks, make one - twos or just combine with a teammate in no - way Diego would.

- He is playing in an above average Everton - He has nobody, who can constantly come up with something out of nothing. Barkley, Mirallas, Lookman , etc. are all inconsistent in their performances. He doesn't have the service, which he could have here. Difference with Hazard/Pedro/ Cesc in behind him, who all offer something different for him to be able to pounce on.

- Big Games - Above point being the main factor. People want Lukaku to be a nuisance and conquer big games. How can he? Against Liverpool, against United, Everton couldn't create anything. The one time, everything was clicking for them, was vs. City, and Lukaku and Davies were the main culprits, and unsurprisingly they won 4 - 0. And let's be honest, has Diego really been THAT unreal in big games? Or any striker in the league, maybe bar Aguero(who has also missed tons of chances in those games, which is worse), for that matter? Diego was unreal vs City. PSG last year. Pretty much it. His goals vs. Liverpool, United were tap - ins. Not saying they aren't goals, but would Lukaku miss? He could, but would he really? Diego has also went missing in big games, let's not act like it isn't true.

- Age - He is still relatively young. Much work can be done with him. He can develop even more.

- Goals - This year, if we manage to become champions, it will just again cement the fact that wins vs. small sides guarantee you Championships. And Lukaku does guarantee goals. Especially with an increased batch of service.

- HG - Counts for the HG quota. Which is why I think we're targeting mostly him

- Lack of WC forwards - Belotti's amazing, but will cost even more perhaps. Icardi won't leave. Who else is out there?

Things that put me off the move:

Technicality -  What if, this his ceilling from a technical point of view? I doubt it, but what if? He will be a 50/50 player, who will create some and ruin some. Not much of an upgrade to Diego. Just a small one.

Lack of experience - He's yet to lead a line as big as Chelsea's. All props to Everton, but the expectations aren't as big as with us. He has to guarantee goals and creativity in order to be our new no. 9. And do it on a consistent basis for it to be the right choice and to please fans. Especially the ones who will be on his back, because of the fact they do not rate him. Plus, he's never really played in the CL. The only time he's been leading a line from the top level is Belgium, and he is hit and miss there, BUT there is the problem with Wilmots and the fact the whole Belgium squad is still hot and cold, despite all the potential.

Price tag - Yes, I know the inflation of prices. I realize he won't cost 30 mil. given the fact he's bagged 20 + goals on a regular basis, but in no way should he cost more than 50. Won't renew. Wants to leave. Should lower the price. We can't force ourselves to overpay for him. Would rather watch Alexis at the 9, if we get him, or just throw the money at Icardi and try for him.

[Fernando 6,488]

If we get him and Nainggolan, I think Hazard will find it much easier to be here then see himself at Madrid.

A lot of Belgium compatriot and better for Belgium to get chemistry going.