With the high profile transfers of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri away from Arsenal this summer, Chelsea’s capture of teen sensation of Romelu Lukaku came with comparatively little fanfare.
The signing of Lukaku from Anderlecht is a shrewd piece of business from Chelsea, and the boy as all the physical and mental tools to become a Stamford Bridge great.
Lukaku has strength and speed far beyond his years, and was used to playing up front on his own at Anderlecht against veteran defenders. To be thrown in at the deep end and forced to sink or swim will be a learning process that benefits the young striker throughout his career.
On top of his physical attributes, Lukaku already brings with him top division, international and Champions League experience even at the tender age of 18.
To have already faced the hostile crowds, experienced different countries and have succeeded as a lone forward at such a high level makes Lukaku a low risk purchase for the Blues.
Despite these gifts, it is the humility and mentality of Lukaku that will guarantee him consistent success over the long term.
Many fans have already talked down his chances of success, citing the presence of Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge as reasons he cannot force his way in.
The problem with that viewpoint is that it is very short sighted. Maybe Lukaku will not score 20 goals this season, but he is 18 years old and has plenty of time to learn. He also has the desire to learn and patience that is all too rare in the modern football world.
Nowadays it is common for an average footballer to play 10 games and decide he is too good to it the bench. Lukaku has made refreshing comments that suggest he will put in the work and time required to succeed. Indeed rather than coming in to cause problems with locker room harmony, Lukaku seems genuinely pleased to work alongside his teammates.
“To be compared with Didier (Drogba) is a very big honor to me. Also, with Nico (Nicolas Anelka) and Fernando (Torres) it is the same, so I am very happy to have world class strikers around me,” Lukaku told BBC Sport this week.
The young Belgian also revealed his desire to learn by saying “I sit next to Drogba in the dressing room. I listen all the time because he gives advice.”
With all this said, the one major risk remaining seems to be the bright lights of London and celebrity life of London whisking away Lukaku. That does not appear to be a major risk, as the young man has a solid role model in his Father to keep him grounded. If you wonder how grounded consider this; How many teenagers would turn down a pay rise and a move to Real Madrid because it was not best for their development?
A young Lukaku did exactly that when he was 16 years old. “It is true that we wanted Lukaku, but he has a very clever Dad,” Madrid manager Jose Mourinho told the Goal website. “He wants Rumelu to stay at Anderlecht for one more year, I wish all Dad’s were like this.
With such patience, it is unlikely Lukaku will lose his focus at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea fans can expect great performances and goals for years to come.
Lukaku has strength and speed far beyond his years, and was used to playing up front on his own at Anderlecht against veteran defenders. To be thrown in at the deep end and forced to sink or swim will be a learning process that benefits the young striker throughout his career.
On top of his physical attributes, Lukaku already brings with him top division, international and Champions League experience even at the tender age of 18.
To have already faced the hostile crowds, experienced different countries and have succeeded as a lone forward at such a high level makes Lukaku a low risk purchase for the Blues.
Despite these gifts, it is the humility and mentality of Lukaku that will guarantee him consistent success over the long term.
Many fans have already talked down his chances of success, citing the presence of Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge as reasons he cannot force his way in.
The problem with that viewpoint is that it is very short sighted. Maybe Lukaku will not score 20 goals this season, but he is 18 years old and has plenty of time to learn. He also has the desire to learn and patience that is all too rare in the modern football world.
Nowadays it is common for an average footballer to play 10 games and decide he is too good to it the bench. Lukaku has made refreshing comments that suggest he will put in the work and time required to succeed. Indeed rather than coming in to cause problems with locker room harmony, Lukaku seems genuinely pleased to work alongside his teammates.
“To be compared with Didier (Drogba) is a very big honor to me. Also, with Nico (Nicolas Anelka) and Fernando (Torres) it is the same, so I am very happy to have world class strikers around me,” Lukaku told BBC Sport this week.
The young Belgian also revealed his desire to learn by saying “I sit next to Drogba in the dressing room. I listen all the time because he gives advice.”
With all this said, the one major risk remaining seems to be the bright lights of London and celebrity life of London whisking away Lukaku. That does not appear to be a major risk, as the young man has a solid role model in his Father to keep him grounded. If you wonder how grounded consider this; How many teenagers would turn down a pay rise and a move to Real Madrid because it was not best for their development?
A young Lukaku did exactly that when he was 16 years old. “It is true that we wanted Lukaku, but he has a very clever Dad,” Madrid manager Jose Mourinho told the Goal website. “He wants Rumelu to stay at Anderlecht for one more year, I wish all Dad’s were like this.
With such patience, it is unlikely Lukaku will lose his focus at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea fans can expect great performances and goals for years to come.
