Lukaku hasn’t scored in 15 games for Chelsea in his first season
It was a move that was seven years in the making and 10 years since he last wore the shirt, but Chelsea declared proud of theirs website Earlier this month that Romelu Lukaku “came home”.
His second debut against Arsenal on Sunday turned into a dream afternoon when Lukaku opened the goals with an “unplayable” performance that the player himself described as “dominant”.
His goal was his first goal for the club after missing the net in his three years and last 15 appearances at Stamford Bridge between 2011 and 2014 between 2011 and 2014 when he was a marginalized figure and never started in the Premier League had met.
European champions Chelsea clinched a 2-0 win over beaten London rivals and the first signs suggest that Thomas Tuchel’s side will need a few stops this season with Lukaku on board.
“What a start for Lukaku”
Belgian international Lukaku returned to “the club he supported as a child” for a second period after joining Everton, Manchester United and most recently Inter Milan, to which the Blues paid a handsome £ 97.5million.
That fee made 28-year-old Lukaku the second most expensive Premier League player of all time after Manchester City’s £ 100m Jack Grealish.
He didn’t disappoint against Arsenal and showed the form with which he was able to rebuild his reputation in Italy – he scored 64 goals in 95 games and helped Inter Milan to their first title since 2010 – after a difficult period at Manchester United.
Lukaku started perfectly, typed in with his third ball contact after just 14 minutes and celebrated by putting his finger to his lips. Only a terrific save by Bernd Leno prevented him a second and hit Lukakus’ header against the crossbar.
In total, he completed 19 of his 20 passes against the Gunners and played 15 duels, more than any other player.
Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea: Lukaku looked dangerous – Tuchel praises Chelsea’s newcomer
“What a start for Lukaku,” boss Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live. “In the beginning he struggled to touch the ball a little. Then he was very well integrated.
“He has already proven his worth for the squad. He connected very well with Mason Mount and Kai Havertz at the front and gave the game something we haven’t had before.”
When asked about his performance, Lukaku told Sky Sports, “Dominant, I would say. I try to improve every time. I still have a long way to go, but today it was good to win.
“I’ve worked hard all week. We knew it was a big game and we did well. As an individual, I want to help the team and I want to keep doing that.”
“His touch was flawless”
Lukaku gave Arsenal defender Pablo Mari a particularly hot afternoon
Last season Timo Werner scored only six goals in the top division despite an expected goals (xG) rate of 11.5, while Lukaku scored 24 goals with an xG of 23.8.
As a team, Chelsea scored 58 league goals with a conversion rate of 10.4%, less than Inter Milan with 16.1% as they scored 89 goals for the title win.
Lukaku impressed with his main strength, holding the ball with his back to the goal and giving Arsenal defender Pablo Mari a brilliant time.
He was sung about by the blues fans in a corner of the Emirates Stadium who sang his name long after the final whistle. Lukaku responded by waving and applauding before patting the badge on his shirt.
“I think it was a brilliant debut from Lukaku,” said Clinton Morrison of BBC Radio 5 Live. “He went away and improved his game. He knew what to work on.
“In the past when he was at Manchester United people would complain that he didn’t have a good feel for the ball, but today his feel was flawless. He knows when to pass the ball, when to run with the ball and he was unlucky, Not a second, he’ll be a brilliant addition.
“Last season when the ball came out Werner didn’t stop it and I think with Lukaku on the team it will help people like Werner, who is not a natural number nine. Chelsea have that now and Lukaku was unplayable.”
Chelsea finished fourth last season, 19 points behind winners Manchester City, but took the Champions League and started this season with two straight wins from their first two games.
Tuchel added: “We’re still real. We were fourth last season and we needed the help of our rivals. We are able to perform at our best – we’ve proven that over the past six months – and we want to keep going.” .
“We have the feeling that we have to improve something and we just want to close the gap.”
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