Romelu Lukaku Returns to Chelsea

[Stan]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9635133/Chelsea-ready-sign-striker-Romelu-Lukaku-transfer-target.html

Quote

 

Chelsea are ready to re-sign Romelu Lukaku this summer as Thomas Tuchel plots a Premier League title challenge.

The Blues want a new centre forward ahead of next season — with the Inter Milan hitman viewed as the most realistic target by club recruitment staff.

The newly-crowned European champions have built a formidable defensive record under Tuchel but have scored more than two goals in a game just once in 30 matches under the German. 

Improvement in front of goal will be key if Tuchel is going to go challenge Manchester City for domestic supremacy next season.

Despite scoring 33 goals in helping Inter win Serie A last season, the Italian club will listen to offers for Lukaku as they seek to ease financial concerns.

Having signed for Chelsea as an 18-year-old in 2011, Lukaku made just one Premier League start for the club before successful loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and Everton, who he joined for £28 million in 2014.

Lukaku is now viewed as one of Europe's premier centre forwards and, at 28, is entering his prime. Inter are understood to value Lukaku at £100m but Chelsea will be keen to negotiate a lower price given Inter's need to sell.

 

 

[Dr. Gonzo]

I'd probably want to stay in Italy if I were him. Obviously that doesn't matter much when Inter want to get as much money as they can with as few changes to their title winning side as possible.

[Cicero]

100 million + Alonso turned down.

 

[Bluewolf]

It comes to something when our transfer window is as exciting as Newcastle's... 

[Spike]

52 minutes ago, Bluewolf said:

It comes to something when our transfer window is as exciting as Newcastle's... 

Not the worst thing, really. Would you rather another 'will he/won't he' saga? It's not like Chelsea even really need that much

[Cicero]

Pedulla reporting both the club and the agent are agreeing the transfer. Down to the player now. 

[Cicero]

23 minutes ago, Cicero said:

Pedulla reporting both the club and the agent are agreeing the transfer. Down to the player now. 

Pedulla back to his usual bollocks. Inter rejected our offer. 

[Dr. Gonzo]

Who's his agent?

If I were him, I'd want to stay where I was a resounding success. I know this Chelsea is a bit different to the United side where he didn't really fit in all that great, but at Inter he made the grade at a top club and did well at the top level.

I probably wouldn't want to move from somewhere I was settled, valued, and widely considered a key player... personally. But I know he stands to make some money if there's a transfer, and some agents just live for moving their players around so they can get a slice of some of that money.

[Cicero]

It's happening. Deal to be struck at 120 million. Player wants to join. 

[Batard]

9 minutes ago, Cicero said:

It's happening. Deal to be struck at 120 million. Player wants to join. 

You love buying back former players for huge fees! To be fair, this is an immense signing if it happens. 

[Cicero]

1 minute ago, Batard said:

You love buying back former players for huge fees! To be fair, this is an immense signing if it happens. 

Mixed feelings on this one. 

[Batard]

1 minute ago, Cicero said:

Mixed feelings on this one. 

He's an upgrade on every other forward .... barring Havertz, who I think should be given more of a shot in that centre forward role. Could diminish his effectiveness. 

[Cicero]

4 minutes ago, Batard said:

He's an upgrade on every other forward .... barring Havertz, who I think should be given more of a shot in that centre forward role. Could diminish his effectiveness. 

A part of me thinks it could work with Havertz as supporting. Another part of me thinks his limitations on the ball will hold us back, considering all three of our attackers last season under Tuchel were heavily involved in the build up. 

If Tuchel is pushing for it, then I say go for it. 

[Stan]

Takes the piss if they get him back. Would totally improve Chelsea's chances of going for the title having a striker like him in the squad, as opposed to Werner.

[Devil]

120 million for Lukaku.

Insane, I thought we overpaid, he has so many limitations to his game.

For 120 million you want the elite and he isn't the elite, not a chance.

[Stan]

8 minutes ago, Devil said:

Insane, I thought we overpaid, he has so many limitations to his game.

 

He's improved a hell of a lot since leaving you though.

[Dr. Gonzo]

21 minutes ago, Stan said:

He's improved a hell of a lot since leaving you though.

Tbf though, how much of that is down to Inter/Conte playing to his strengths... whereas at United, I'm not sure Solskjaer really played to his strengths at all. I remember him playing out on the right flank one match against us (he didn't do bad, either... but I wouldn't say that was getting the most out of him).

I do agree with @Devil that there's limitations to his game... but tbh, I think that's true of most players and it's down to the manager to come up with systems that use the collective strengths of their players at their disposal while trying to account for their individual limitations to each players' playstyle.

I do think if he moves to Chelsea, he's easily the best striker in that squad and he'll probably thrive in the right system and setup like he has in Italy.

But I do think it's maybe not the best career move for him, considering he's currently at a club where he's made a remarkable impact and he's going back to a league where when he was expected to make the step up from Everton... he didn't really do so.

[Devil]

35 minutes ago, Stan said:

He's improved a hell of a lot since leaving you though.

Weaker league @Stan

I know we all watch most matches these days but watching him week in week out for United he was dreadful.

He will always get you a few goals but he's not a striker that's going to link play up, all he offers is brute force and goals.

For 120 million I'd be expecting the complete elite, he's not elite.

[Waylander]

We or CFC, certainly need a striker though Lukaku seems a bit too one dimensional for me.

I thought we might do a last minute panic buy and get someone like Ings who is a decent finisher and with his downtime would give Havertz, Werner and or Broja time to make an impression.

So I'm hoping this is not true.................

W

[Stan]

9 minutes ago, Devil said:

He will always get you a few goals but he's not a striker that's going to link play up, all he offers is brute force and goals.

 

We must have watched a lot of different Inter games then!

[Waylander]

I'm more with @Devil though do concede he has improved at Inter (Conte effect).

At least unlike Tammy he will score goals with his head.

[Devil]

1 hour ago, Stan said:

We must have watched a lot of different Inter games then!

I've only watched a handful of his games at Inter and a few for Belgium and from what I've seen he's no better than his first season at United where he played well.

But we're talking 120 million, not a chance.

 

[Batard]

4 minutes ago, Devil said:

I've only watched a handful of his games at Inter and a few for Belgium and from what I've seen he's no better than his first season at United where he played well.

But we're talking 120 million, not a chance.

 

You say that but I think he would make United better. 

[Devil]

Just now, Batard said:

You say that but I think he would make United better. 

Look I've had first hand experience of seeing him week in, week out. 

Whether he'd make us stronger or not, he's not worth 120 million. He has limitations to his game.

His control is piss poor and if he's not fully fit he may as well not be on the pitch.

 

[Stan]

He'd immediately be the best striker at the club if he joined Utd but will agree he's perhaps not worth £120m. 

I think he's being underrated in this thread to be quite honest. While he's not 'elite' he's definitely more than just brute force and goals. He was a huge part in Inter winning Serie A and has improved his own game since 2+ years ago since he was at Utd.