Adding to this thread is really just stating the obvious.

 

We all want him to do well on loan but most of us didn't want him to go on loan again so when he does do well it's a kinda..............

 

D'Oh!!!

I reckon he will get 20 goals in the prem this season. 

 

Could be a contender for golden boot. RVP is in sh*t form due to Moyes. Suarez will most definitely be banned for a big chunk of games or get sold in January.

Aguero is my pick for golden boot

Sturridge is my pick because so much of Liverpool's play is going to come through him and Suarez because they don't have many other players you would feel confident chipping in with goals. 

Sturridge is my pick because so much of Liverpool's play is going to come through him and Suarez because they don't have many other players you would feel confident chipping in with goals. 

 

You can imagine the reaction if Lukaku and Sturridge end up 1st and 2nd for the golden boot.

You can imagine the reaction if Lukaku and Sturridge end up 1st and 2nd for the golden boot.

 

Even if we won the title! 

No one has ever really been sure about Lukaku since his arrival in England. But alas, he is finally beginning to justify the £10m fee Chelsea paid for him… for the wrong teams.

The media has heaped praise on Lukaku, identifying him as the new Didier Drogba in whom Chelsea miss so dearly. His power, pace, aerial threat and finishing have made him one of the most dangerous and feared forwards in the Premier league today. Chelsea fans must surely wonder why on earth Mourinho let the closest thing to Drogba out on loan, leaving Chelsea’s front line in the hands of an injury-prone Ba, Fernando Torres who scores as often as a nun, and a ‘once-was’ striker in Samuel Eto’o.

Is there method behind the madness? In a word, yes.

When Lukaku joined West Brom he got enough games for you to consider him a first-team player but he very rarely got a full ninety minutes under his belt. His highly impressive seventeen goals in the 35 games he took part in really highlighted how prolific he is and could be. However Steve Clark, saw Lukaku’s fitness and stamina and clearly was not convinced that he could not handle a full games. Even on 14 goals come the final day of the season (and having out-scored all of Chelsea’s forwards) he started on the bench, only coming on as a second half substitute to help West Brom to achieve a 5-5 draw with Manchester United, his hat trick signalled to the next manager of Chelsea that this he was a force to be reckoned with.

As the season closed, and with Lukaku heading back to Chelsea, all fans of the club alike would have been delighted to see how they could have a proven goal scorer in the Premier League rather than relying on the like of Torres or Ba. Yet come the first few games at Chelsea making two appearances and not scoring or assisting, he was shipped out on deadline day to Everton with a guarantee of first team football.

On debut for Everton, he scored the winning goal against West Ham in a 3-2 victory (as a substitute though.) His home debut against Newcastle was a rampant one as that, accompanied by defending so bad you began to question your own eyesight, Lukaku took advantage and in the fifth and thirty-seventh minute scored two relatively simple goals. When half-time hit and Everton cruising to victory, the talk was if Lukaku could get a home-debut hat trick. Instead, Newcastle upped their game so they no longer played awfully, but played poorly. Lukaku went very quiet; he looked lethargic, wasn’t making the runs and really never got in the game at all in the second half, yet he played the ninety minutes.

It was a similar story in the game against Manchester City, a storming start but never really maintained it. I was coming home from an open day with the game on in the car, for the first half; all of Everton’s attack seemed to be spear-headed by Lukaku. Come the second half on the other hand, neither me nor my Dad heard his name more than 5 times in the whole forty-five minutes.

At the tender age of 20 there is still so much potential still to come from him, and perhaps I am being a bit harsh on him; however this ‘goal-machine’ is consistently inconsistent. From what I have seen he cannot maintain his levels of performance for a whole game. Even for Belgium, 5 goals in 24 appearances is not a great statistic, especially as three of the goals came in friendly’s and the other two were scored on Friday against Croatia (both in the first half by the way). He isn’t the beast that the media make him out to be. He is certainly a good player, and certainly is worth more than his original value but he won’t be a world-beater anytime soon.

Good article, which I tend to agree with. Fitness is something some of us mentioned recently, something I've certainly noticed and posted about on here. Whilst he is no doubt a powerful player, getting only a half out of him in every game isn't ideal.... however if he scores goals in every game you could certainly live with it.

You have to have faith that Jose thinks loaning him out is the best option.

http://the4thofficial.co.uk/2013/10/15/lukaku-is-a-good-player-not-a-great-one/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lukaku-is-a-good-player-not-a-great-one

Pretty brilliant assist if I do say so myself 

 

http://youtu.be/94TvgDJvaTM

 

 

That Chelsea link up that never materialized at club level Lukaku to KdB !

 

 

 

Good article, which I tend to agree with. Fitness is something some of us mentioned recently, something I've certainly noticed and posted about on here. Whilst he is no doubt a powerful player, getting only a half out of him in every game isn't ideal.... however if he scores goals in every game you could certainly live with it.

You have to have faith that Jose thinks loaning him out is the best option.

http://the4thofficial.co.uk/2013/10/15/lukaku-is-a-good-player-not-a-great-one/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lukaku-is-a-good-player-not-a-great-one

 

Was Eto'o ready to play 90 minutes when he joined, he did play 90 minutes but was no where near effective for the full match. 

 

I find the whole fitness issue a load of bollocks myself, Lukaku's build in such a way that he needs to learn how to conserve his energy or get fitter but both of those things will happen as he plays more often. Anyway I would not have though Lukaku would be starting every game for us so I sort of felt he would be starting some matches and being an impact sub in others. In either case I don't believe he would have overexerted himself here.

Edited October 16, 201312 yr by Las7

Don't get me wrong, I'd be more than happy to see him playing for us right now, as an impact sub or whatever, he scores goals.

His fitness is clearly an issue for the 90, its not a load of bollocks if you have watched him play enough, its clear to see. He's a big strong lad carrying more weight (solid muscle) than the average footballer, so he is going to tire quicker as he expends more energy moving around at a competitive pace. Compare his engine to say Ramires, two different builds, two completely different fitness levels. I am not saying I want Lukaku to be built like Ramires mind you!

Eto'o certainly hasn't done much to convince fans yet, and he wasn't ready for the full 90 (maybe still isnt!), but you have to have faith that its the right thing Jose is doing.

As the season progresses we will see how they both fair.

Don't get me wrong, I'd be more than happy to see him playing for us right now, as an impact sub or whatever, he scores goals.

His fitness is clearly an issue for the 90, its not a load of bollocks if you have watched him play enough, its clear to see. He's a big strong lad carrying more weight (solid muscle) than the average footballer, so he is going to tire quicker as he expends more energy moving around at a competitive pace. Compare his engine to say Ramires, two different builds, two completely different fitness levels. I am not saying I want Lukaku to be built like Ramires mind you!

Eto'o certainly hasn't done much to convince fans yet, and he wasn't ready for the full 90 (maybe still isnt!), but you have to have faith that its the right thing Jose is doing.

As the season progresses we will see how they both fair.

 

 

That's the whole point - Eto'o isn't ready for 90 minutes hasn't had any where near the impact to the League that Lukaku had last season yet as soon as he came here he was given starts. 

 

Like I've said for a player his age playing regularly is the most important thing whether he last 90 minutes is inconsequential as long as he is able to make an impact in the 30-60 odd minutes he is effective. This is his second season in the EPL where Lukaku is playing regularly, still getting used to his body and the obviously physical League all players are subjected too. 

 

You can point to his physical preparation this season under Everton and this is in large part of basically lacking match fitness due to sparse use during his time at CFC. Last season towards the end he was playing 90 minutes for West Brom fairly regularly since New Year he had about 11 matches with over 80 minutes played in the League; 2 matches over 90 minutes in the FA Cup. 

This is all down to match fitness, some players take a while to really be able to play 90 minutes each match and are not really fully effective for the full 90 minutes. Lukaku is simply still learning how to conserve his energy better instead of being full throttle for a stretch of the match. Once he learns when to actually exert himself he will be effective throughout the 90 minutes, just won't be hassling as much. 

 

We can talk about how he fizzles out at the moment but after having such an impact that can be forgiven and should be utilized. Drogba was largely ineffective in his last season at the club but when we needed him for the big moments he pulled out huge displays of perseverance and quality - I've got a hunch that Lukaku is the forward EPL defenders most dread facing cause he might be tired for 30 minutes at the end of the game but the previous 60 minutes he has run you rugged and shrugged off your challenges. I'm 100% if you'd ask any defender in the EPL to rank who they would prefer facing out of Lukaku/Eto'o/Ba/Torres the large majority will name the young Belgium as the least likable option for them to defend against. 

 

It's also a matter of what you think Lukaku is able to do in 30 minutes compared to our current crop - which to say in my eyes would be a monumental difference, simply because defenders will have a few more things to worry about compared to Eto'o/Torres/Ba he is highly mobile for a lad his size; strength makes most defenders bounce of him and his hold up play is improving with each passing game. 

I seriously wonder if Bruce is on to something here... Perhaps just perhaps Jose shipped him to Everton because he knows Lukaku will help destroy our competition? He would do no good to us sharing the pitch with others and Martinez imo is a fantastic manager. While maybe a stretch, one cannot discount Jose's intelligence and strategic ways...

Either way, he comes backs with tons more meaningful experience and with the creative players we have, we are going to be a force to be reckoned with for years to come And lets not forget Feruz coming up which could make the squad smaller and speedier than it already is. Future is certainly bright and Jose is going to be more legendary than he already is!

I seriously wonder if Bruce is on to something here... Perhaps just perhaps Jose shipped him to Everton because he knows Lukaku will help destroy our competition? He would do no good to us sharing the pitch with others and Martinez imo is a fantastic manager. While maybe a stretch, one cannot discount Jose's intelligence and strategic ways...

Either way, he comes backs with tons more meaningful experience and with the creative players we have, we are going to be a force to be reckoned with for years to come And lets not forget Feruz coming up which could make the squad smaller and speedier than it already is. Future is certainly bright and Jose is going to be more legendary than he already is!

wasnt it lukaku who decided where he went though? i thought once we'd decided he needed to go out on loan, he was given a free choice between west brom and everton. i think its great that he will take points off title rivals, but tbh i dont believe that was jose's reasoning behind loaning him out

I think what Bruce said was a load of rubbish personally.

Getting fed up watching him wearing another team's shirt. He could, score, assist, hold up the ball, something we are missing with this team.

Lukaku is on loan to Everton for the season and good luck to the lad.He will come back a more complete player in my opinion and will have a part to play next season.As for worrying about what we are missing,think about what we have got.Arsenal are talked about as the form team,well we are 2 points behind them having played tougher away games.I think our 3 remaining strikers will score quite a few goals between them come the end of the season.

For a team without a supposed decent striker and many of our fans lamenting about Lukaku and Strurridge on an almost weekly basis, we're still the third highest goal scorers in the league. 

And how many of the goals we scored came from one of our strikers?

And how many of the goals we scored came from one of our strikers?

 

Uno

Edited October 21, 201312 yr by Cam

For a team without a supposed decent striker and many of our fans lamenting about Lukaku and Strurridge on an almost weekly basis, we're still the third highest goal scorers in the league. 

 

 

I don't see the point of these type of comments - question is what place we would be if we had at least one striker who can find the net on a consistant basis in the League. 

 

Go look through the EPL Title winning teams and tell me how many teams without a striker/s with at least 15 goals you would find?

 

2012/2013 RVP - 26 goals

2011/2012 Kun - 23 goals

2010/2011 Berbatov - 20 goals

2009/2010 Drogba - 29 goals

2008/2009 Cronaldo - 18 goals

2007/2008 Cronaldo - 31 goals

2006/2007 Cronaldo - 17 goals 

2005/2006 Drogba - 12 goals; Crespo 10 goals

2004/2005 Gudjohnsen - 12 goals; Drogba 10 goals; 

2003/2004 Henry - 30 goals

2002/2003 RvN - 25 goals

2001/2002 Henry - 25 goals

 

I don't see our current strikers getting 15 goals combined in the League at this pace. I've not included the likes of Rooney/Saha/Tevez/Berbatov during Cronaldo's scoring form since pretty much he was given free reign that I've not seen any player other than Bale given in the EPL in recent years. If we had a player like Cronaldo who would guarantee 15 goals we would be fine - but Lampard is aged and we don't got that explosive goal scorer from midfield any more. Hopefully Oscar in a few years can take that role. 

Edited October 21, 201312 yr by Las7

I don't see the point of these type of comments - question is what place we would be if we had at least one striker who can find the net on a consistant basis in the League. 

 

Go look through the EPL Title winning teams and tell me how many teams without a striker/s with at least 15 goals you would find?

 

2012/2013 RVP - 26 goals

2011/2012 Kun - 23 goals

2010/2011 Berbatov - 20 goals

2009/2010 Drogba - 29 goals

2008/2009 Cronaldo - 18 goals

2007/2008 Cronaldo - 31 goals

2006/2007 Cronaldo - 17 goals 

2005/2006 Drogba - 12 goals; Crespo 10 goals

 

I don't see our current strikers getting 15 goals combined in the League at this pace

 

Well if youre gonna count Ronaldos goals then you might as well count Oscars or Hazards

While the goals are flowing (and after a 4-1 win) it sounds pretty spoiled to moan about WHO is scoring them. Our AM's chip in with the goals, I don't see a problem. I don't think its a bad thing we don't rely purely on strikers to score.

 

Etoo setting up hazard was worth the same amount as the one Etoo scored himself.

I don't see the point of these type of comments - question is what place we would be if we had at least one striker who can find the net on a consistant basis in the League. 

 

Go look through the EPL Title winning teams and tell me how many teams without a striker/s with at least 15 goals you would find?

 

2012/2013 RVP - 26 goals

2011/2012 Kun - 23 goals

2010/2011 Berbatov - 20 goals

2009/2010 Drogba - 29 goals

2008/2009 Cronaldo - 18 goals

2007/2008 Cronaldo - 31 goals

2006/2007 Cronaldo - 17 goals 

2005/2006 Drogba - 12 goals; Crespo 10 goals

 

I don't see our current strikers getting 15 goals combined in the League at this pace

 

The point of my comment is, is that one of the recurring themes on the board is "we don't have a striker scoring enough goals".

 

And yet despite this we find ourselves the third highest scoring team in the league. 

 

More goals in fact than Manchester United who have both RvP and Rooney who are both more than capable of scoring 15+ goals in a season.

 

More goals in fact than Liverpool who have Sturridge, who must be the most talked about ex-Chelsea player on this forum and Suarez.

 

The only two teams that have scored more goals than us in the league are Manchester City who granted have a wealth of strikers to choose from and Arsenal who have Giroud and Bendtner.

 

So the point of my post is, clearly it isn't all doom and gloom after all? 

Well if youre gonna count Ronaldos goals then you might as well count Oscars or Hazards

 

 

I've addressed your comment, Cronaldo cannot be compared to the likes of Hazard/Oscar/Mata at this time in terms of pure goal scoring. 

 

 

 

The point of my comment is, is that one of the recurring themes on the board is "we don't have a striker scoring enough goals".

 

And yet despite this we find ourselves the third highest scoring team in the league. 

 

More goals in fact than Manchester United who have both RvP and Rooney who are both more than capable of scoring 15+ goals in a season.

 

More goals in fact than Liverpool who have Sturridge, who must be the most talked about ex-Chelsea player on this forum and Suarez.

 

The only two teams that have scored more goals than us in the league are Manchester City who granted have a wealth of strikers to choose from and Arsenal who have Giroud and Bendtner.

 

So the point of my post is, clearly it isn't all doom and gloom after all? 

 

 

 

The point is we've know about our striker problem for 3 years and done nothing about it - except loan/sale all probable solutions. It's like United's midfield solution - it costs you points; it costs you matches. 

 

It's something we are crying out about every season, whether it be when talking about the likes of Falcao/Lukaku/Cavani/Rooney/Lewandowski/Sturridge/RvP/Kun or whoever. Lukaku is the only player out of those who is actually ours, and one of the finest young strikers in the Prem - while we basically have one of the worst forward lines in a top club on the Continent. 

Edited October 21, 201312 yr by Las7

edit: nvm

Edited October 21, 201312 yr by Stim

I've addressed your comment, Cronaldo cannot be compared to the likes of Hazard/Oscar/Mata at this time in terms of pure goal scoring. 

Why not? Oscar, Mata and hazard are allowed as much freedom as he was.

Edited October 21, 201312 yr by dkw