Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku arrived in the last summer with the aim of solving the goals coring problems at Chelsea on the back of a stellar season with Inter, with saw them dethrone Juventus of the Scudetto and the striker winning the Serie A Player of the season.
However, it has been a disappointing first season as his goal scoring records hasn’t justified his move having scored just five goals in 17 league appearances.
In his first three Premier League games on his return to the club he left back in 2014, the signs look promising for Lukaku and all puzzle seemed completed for Chelsea Football club in their bid to challenge for the premier league title after the striker scored three goals in three games including a brace in a man of the match performance against Aston Villa.
His role at Chelsea was very different from what he used to play back at Inter Milan and the player confessed this in a controversial interview given weeks ago.
Injury came knocking after a few run of consecutive games for the striker lasted for more than a couple of weeks before he was reintegrated straight back into the starting XI following his recovery.
The former Manchester United striker had an impressive outing in the world club cup but hasn’t scored in the Premier League since his header in a 1-1 draw with Brighton at the Stamford Bridge back in December last year, meaning he has failed to score in four straight league games.
Difficulties in adapting to the Thomas Tuchel style at Chelsea is also not helped by lack of services from his teammates. Lukaku however is known to be more of threat when Reece James and Ben Chilwell are in the side as the English fullbacks help get the best deliveries to the box.
After a disappointing performance against Crystal palace, where he had seven touches, the record fewest for a player completing 90 minute since the data has been recorded. In the aftermath, he lost his place to Kai Havertz with the manager stating mental tiredness on the player’s part as one of the reason for his struggles.
The club’s record signing, for £97.5millon is hoping to live up to expectations by the club’s faithfuls amidst the difficulties but it remains to be seen if the 28-year-old will be able to adapt to playing under Thomas Tuchel as the signs so far has portrayed otherwise.
Author: Alonge Timothy