I don't see that as a problem. Lukaku has been at that club, playing a major part of it, for nearly seven months. Why would he not feel affiliated to them?

To be honest it's nice to see him show some gratitude to West Brom for giving him the opportunities they did. Even the most cloying press statement feels a bit artificial, kissing the badge is a good way to show the fans (who is more important?) that he is grateful for the support and opportunity which is nice considering he is essentially using them as a stepping stone to 'bigger things'.

Footballers throughout their career have affection for many clubs, I don't really see it as an issue.

Showing affection towards the club/fans of the club that have given him the chance to show what he can do in the premier league? Very iffy....

If he is not back at chelsea next year we will be losing out on a lot of goals.

Will he be a part of the post season friendlies against City?

As others have said, I don't have an issue with the badge kissing, particularly as it's WBA and not a team that we have directly competed against or called rivals.

As others have said, I don't have an issue with the badge kissing, particularly as it's WBA and not a team that we have directly competed against or called rivals.

Nonesense. I will never forgive West Brom for the way they treated club legend Roberto Di Matteo and then replaced him with that impostor, the fraud, the bar steward. Whatever you want to call him. The failed ex-Liverpool manager. The FOW (Fat Owl Waiter)- Roy Hodgson.

How the WBA board could treat a club legend like that is unforgivable and really makes me feel a lack of affiliation towards the club.

Edited April 29, 201313 yr by mactheknife

Good interview from FIFA.com.

 

Lukaku: I had a lot to prove

‘Prodigy’, ‘genius’, ‘goal machine’, and ‘the next Didier Drogba’: Romelu Lukaku has been described in all of these glowing terms in Belgium, the country in which the young striker was born in 1993. A first-team performer by the age of 16 and the Jupiler Pro League’s top goalscorer by 18, the powerfully built attacker has never been one to keep a low profile.

“Lukaku can stay at Anderlecht until he’s an old man if he wants to,” joked club president Roger Vanden Stock back in 2011, after the marksman of Congolese descent had scored 41 goals in 98 matches for Les Mauves et Blancs.

“Anderlecht, are my club. I’d dreamed about playing for them ever since I first started kicking a ball around. When I signed for them, I was the happiest guy in the world. The club gave me everything – they made me into the player I am today,” explained Lukaku in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com.

The name ‘Lukaku’ is one that is familiar to Belgian fans of all ages, and not just because of Romelu’s growing reputation. His brother Jordan plays at left-back for Anderlecht, while his father Roger also spent several years plying his trade in the Belgian League, and even represented Zaire in qualifying matches for the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™.

Two years ago, Romelu Lukaku ensured that his name would gain even greater prominence by moving to the English Premier League to join Chelsea.

“I had the chance to come earlier, but my dad insisted that I finish school before considering a move outside Belgium,” he said. “I don’t regret having waited. It’s important to have qualifications. My public relations studies are a great help to me in the environment I work in. Football is also a business, remember. I speak six languages, which is always useful. And you just never know what can happen in this game – an injury can occur in the blink of an eye.”

From the Blues to the Baggies
The Belgian front man may have an imposing physique, but actually imposing himself at the age of 18 on a team with Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge at its disposal proved a difficult task. Erstwhile Chelsea manager André Villas Boas opted instead to use him as an impact substitute, a role to which he was not at all accustomed.

“But it was the right place to learn the ropes,” he said. “Players like Drogba and Anelka took me under their wing and showed me how things worked in the Premier League. And now I’m happy to be able to spread my own wings.”

Ariel Jacobs, who was responsible for bringing Lukaku into the Anderlecht senior side, had previously predicted as much: “At a big club, if he finds himself stuck on the bench, he’ll wither away. A 25-year-old might be able to put things into perspective, but not Romelu. He enjoys playing the game too much.”

After a first season at Stamford Bridge during which his playing time was severely limited, the powerful forward was therefore loaned out to West Bromwich Albion for match practice. “I had to put my reputation on the line, because I had a lot to prove. I’d been criticised a bit, and I wanted to respond in my own polite way – by performing strongly on the pitch,” he said.

Eight months, 14 goals and seven assists later, Lukaku has clearly achieved that goal. Spearheading the attack of a side used to battling against relegation, he and the West Brom team as a whole – comfortably ensconced in the top half of the table – have enjoyed an excellent season.

“Our league position has no doubt surprised a lot of people. It’s up to us to prove that we’re there on merit. We need to show everyone that we’ve got the ability to finish even higher,” he continued.

Red devils and golden opportunities
Much like his team, Lukaku possesses few obvious weaknesses and boasts an attractive style of play. He is aware, however, that he still has progress to make.

“I’m only 19. It goes without saying that I’ve still got a lot to learn. First and foremost, I need to keep my feet on the ground. I thank God every day for the opportunity to play in the Premier League. I know that not everyone gets this kind of chance, especially at my age,” he said.

“I can and I must improve every area of my game. Perfecting my skills is the only way I’m going to get better. Winning the FIFA Ballon d’Or is actually a dream of mine,” he added.

Attaining the precious golden trophy may become a reality one day if he can also put in high-quality international displays on a regular basis. It is certainly a good time to be representing Belgium, as Les Diables Rouges have recently recorded a fine series of results and performances. Unbeaten in the qualifying campaign for Brazil 2014, they currently sit proudly atop Group A.

“The players that make up the national team are performing at the top of their game at the moment,” said Lukaku. “They’re young and play for some of the best clubs in Europe. And it’s not going to end there, because the 93-94 generation will soon arrive on the scene. The future looks even brighter.”

With a player often spoken about in the same breath as Didier Drogba on board, it is likely that the future will indeed prove to be rosy for Belgium. Lukaku concludes by taking the flattering comparison in his stride: “Didier and I do have a similar style. I learnt a lot from him, and I’m delighted to have had the chance to rub shoulders with him for a year. But there's only one Didier Drogba, just like there's only one Romelu Lukaku.”
 

 

Romelu won West Broms Players 'Player of the Year award. 

 

His professionalism is well documented. 

 

Really looking forward to the big man coming back to Chelsea. Hope to f**k he gets given a chance. 

Well done big Rom! 

"He's bigger than a fridge!

He comes from Stamford Bridge!"

 

Surely done enough to warrant a first team place next season?  He's the sort of striker Jose likes.

"He's bigger than a fridge!

He comes from Stamford Bridge!"

 

Surely done enough to warrant a first team place next season?  He's the sort of striker Jose likes.

 

 

I'd be open to selling Ba personally if it meant we could accommodate Lukaku into the squad next year.

 

I know he has only been here for 6 months but given we need a top class forward I would rather see a new striker come in, Ba sold and Lukaku return. 

Happy Birthday Lukaku!

Congratulations on winning player of the year for West Brom as well

Jose and Lukaku....might just work.

HLNinEngeland ?@HLNinEngeland 7m

Romelu Lukaku confirms on Belgian radio station @stubru that he's unlikely to return to Chelsea next season.He prefers a season on loan(1/2)

 

HLNinEngeland ?@HLNinEngeland 6m

He wants to play in a team that has qualified for European football, so he'll be fully prepared on his return to #CFC in 2014. (2/2)

 

 

Looks like hes not going to be here next season.

sh*t surely not another season of Torres?

New striker comes in then (Falcao, Cavani, Rooney whoever) and we have 3 strikers for next year Ba, Torres and other.

 

Then in another years time we either sell Ba or Torres and make room for Lukaku.... sounds good to me. 

I read that he always watching his performances from previous matches. He looks for faults and tries to improve on them every time. I am not sure there are many 19 year old players who do the same. 

Another loan?

 

Pitiful joke.

rather him on loan than sitting on the bench with us.

HLNinEngeland ?@HLNinEngeland 7m

Romelu Lukaku confirms on Belgian radio station @stubru that he's unlikely to return to Chelsea next season.He prefers a season on loan(1/2)

 

HLNinEngeland ?@HLNinEngeland 6m

He wants to play in a team that has qualified for European football, so he'll be fully prepared on his return to #CFC in 2014. (2/2)

 

 

Looks like hes not going to be here next season.

 

judging by the way weve dealt with de bruyne, i will be really surprised if he plays again for chelsea

What way is that then?

What way is that then?

 

getting rid of him too easily just so we can get the flavour of the month, or because hes not among the top 10 shirt sellers worldwide

Edited May 13, 201313 yr by Lane