Should Chelsea keep their youngster Romelu Lukaku?
Of course yes! My answer to this question will always be yes. The Belgian international will be leading the national team’s line-up in the world cup at the tender age of just 20 and has taken the Premier League by a storm with his consistent performances for West Bromwich Albion and Everton.
The striker has benefitted with his loan stay at Everton as he has learnt to play in a team which aims for higher objectives than West Brom. He has also developed into a complete forward, a trait that enables him to play freely in Chelsea, not just as a mere target man as he has clearly honed his technical skills as well.
Lukaku has scored 14 goals this season, almost matching the collective effort of all the Chelsea forwards this season. Much can be said about Chelsea’s slow game and lack of involvement of strikers, but Lukaku has looked sharp and intelligent in Everton, which can make him a really good option for Chelsea as he can offer that goal-threat that no other young striker offers at such consistent rate.
Lukaku has also managed an impressive tally of 6 assists, which is more than what Willian, Oscar and Schurrle have managed! Romelu Lukaku has now started to hold the ball and get others into the game, something which people always underestimated in him. Lukaku has 1.1 key passes per game which almost equals Oscar’s and Willian’s record!
Lukaku is clearly ahead of the current Chelsea strikers as he has the confidence and the enthusiasm that any young striker possesses and he is a “tank” as many fans call him. When Lukaku runs, he with his natural pace and strength easily creates space to take shots. He is a technical dribbler as well. He has managed an average of 3.1 shots per game which is more than what Chelsea strikers do.
It is a striker’s ability to the lift the team that should catch the eye of a manager and not his age. Hence in my opinion, Romelu Lukaku, who has been a star man at Everton this season should be retained by Jose Mourinho. He is one of those strikers who will always be a positive player for the Blues.
Stats per whoscored.com