In a recent interview, former England international and now football pundit Noel Whelan advised the European champions, Chelsea, to get rid of club-record signing Romelu Lukaku to fee the wage bill in the summer transfer window.
Romelu Lukaku rejoined Chelsea in the summer from Serie A champions Inter Milan. The reported transfer fee was close to a club-record fee of £97.5 million. The Belgium forward signed a five-year deal with the European champions. The Chelsea faithful were quite excited as Lukaku’s heroics in the Serie A helped his side lift the title last term.
But things haven’t gone quite as planned for the Belgium star. While Thomas Tuchel’s side have given a very good account of themselves this term. The blues narrowly lost out on penalties against Liverpool in the EFL Cup final. While the side is still in the FA Cup. The side also have one foot in the next knockout round of the Champions League. The blues are currently 3rd in the Premier League table. They have picked up 59 points from 28 league games so far this term.
But Lukaku has failed to really cement his place in the starting lineup. He has even failed to impress the Chelsea faithful since his return to the club. Lukaku has made a total of 32 appearances in all competitions this term. In this time he has recorded 11 goals and two assists. (stats via Transfermarkt)
Recently the Belgium star has lost his place in the starting lineup to Kai Havertz. The German star has been in good form and the Chelsea faithful have even started to compare the youngster to club legend Eden Hazard. Some fans have even called for the striker to be sold in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Noel Whelan’s ruling on Romelu Lukaku’s future with Chelsea
Taking to Football Insider about Chelsea and Romelu Lukaku’s situation at the club, Whelan said:
With the way Havertz is playing – it becomes a very easy decision for Chelsea,” “I think he has proven that he can be the number nine for them. He’s been brilliant and has shown real quality. “We all know that he’s a different style of player to Lukaku, but I think there’s been too much controversy with Lukaku.
“The interview was just disrespectful, but if that’s what he wants – then get him out of the football club and off the wage bill. “They can then go out there, start again, and get someone who can give you the right attitude to fight and succeed in England and in Europe. “The whispers don’t lie. He’s very lucky to still get the applause he does at Stamford Bridge because he hasn’t shown anywhere near enough in a Chelsea shirt.”
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