The young Belgian attacker could not quite make his mark in his short time at Chelsea, following an £18 million transfer from Belgian club Anderlecht. Given the plethora of attacking options Chelsea had last season like Didier Drogba, Daniel Sturridge and Fernando Torres, 19-year old Lukaku was not given much of a chance.
Therefore, the London club loaned out their teenage prodigy to West Brom this season looking to secure him some valuable game time in the English league. Thankfully, former Chelsea first team coach Steve Clarke has given Lukaku that game time which has clearly made him stronger and a more complete player for when he does return to Stamford Bridge at the end of his loan deal.
The decision to send the youngster to West Brom has delivered rich rewards, as he has shone at The Hawthornes this season. He is in fine form, and is scoring vital goals for the club as they currently sit comfortably in 7th position in the League, one point ahead of Liverpool.
Seeing their striker enjoying such excellent form at West Brom, suggests Chelsea are planning a return to Stamford Bridge for Lukaku next season. The striker himself is unaware as to what the future holds for him next season. When asked, he could not predict his future, as he said, “I don’t know what Chelsea will decide. We’ll have a chat about how to build up a good career for me there.”
“There are a lot of clever people over there and they’re seeing that I am playing in a good way.”
“Every 10 days I have a meeting with Chelsea. Sometimes they just come and talk with me and say what I have to improve, if I go back there I have to be like this or like that.”
“There is a lot to improve on. I am only 19 so I can improve loads. They will see maybe I need one more year or maybe I don’t. I have a great understanding with them.”
The situation regarding the attacking personnel at Chelsea is one which has given the British press plenty to write about in recent times. The dismal form of Fernando Torres has inspired numerous articles as of course he just happens to be the most expensive player in the Premier League as the Blues paid a staggering £50 million for him and they have not even come close to reaping the rewards from that huge fee, as the Spaniard still struggles for form on a regular basis.
The January capture of Newcastle United’s Demba Ba has seen Torres on the bench for quite a few matches, as interim manager Rafael Benitez chooses to go with the Senegal international more often than he does with the Spanish international.
Also, the never ending reports of Chelsea’s interest in Athletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao always give people something new to write about. He may be on his way to London, he may not…
Given the fragile and severely scrutinized situation at Chelsea regarding its strikers, the Blues will have a difficult decision to make – whether to send Lukaku out on loan again or keep him at Stamford Bridge and see if he can deliver when the pressure is really on.