5 Reasons Why Chelsea Should Have Kept Romelu Lukaku
Why Jose Mourinho will rue allowing Lukaku to slip through his fingertips.
With Chelsea strikers having become so profligate in front of goal in recent seasons, it makes little sense that Jose Mourinho would readily depart with the prolific Romelu Lukaku before he has even entered the best years of his career. At just 21 years of age, he has over 30 caps for his country, has scored in a World Cup quarter-final and reached double figures in each of his last two seasons on loan in the Premier League.
Built like the returning Stamford Bridge icon Didier Drogba, and possessing frightening pace to accompany his larger-than-life frame, Lukaku is a menacing presence for any Premier League defender. The only thing that held him back at Stamford Bridge, it would appear, was patience.
For it was his lack of it which demanded a last-dash loan move to Everton last September, when it was in fact Demba Ba who was almost granted his wish. Unprepared to play second fiddle to anybody, it is no surprise that Everton manager Roberto Martinez was quick to signal his intent to sign the Belgian powerhouse on a permanent deal just one day after the return of the man he was desperately trying to emulate at Stamford Bridge. And an even lesser shock when Everton tied up the deal the following day.
But had Lukaku shown a little bit of patience last season, he would surely have risen through the ranks to become Chelseas main man within the space of a few weeks, with messrs Etoo, Ba and Torres floundering in front of the Stamford Bridge faithful. Within a couple of months of the new season, we might be saying the same thing about Romelu only this time, there is no option for a return.
Take a look at the five reasons why Jose Mourinho will rue allowing Lukaku to slip through his fingertips.