Lukaku will solve Chelsea’s striker crisis

Carlo Garganese

• 5 Apr 2023 13:50 BST
• 3 min read

Former Chelsea star Daniel Sturridge believes that Romelu Lukaku can return and be the answer to the club’s attacking woes.

The Blues struggled in front of goal for the umpteenth time on Tuesday evening as they drew 0-0 at home against Liverpool.

None of Chelsea’s forwards have been up to task this season, which has played a role in a dreadful season which sees them down in 11th position with nine games remaining.

READ MORE: Romelu Lukaku: Chelsea star sent off for racial abuse reaction

Lukaku has been on loan at Inter Milan this season but is due to return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the campaign.

Sturridge believes he could be the man to trust with the number nine shirt in 2023-24.

What did Sturridge say about Lukaku?

“If the [new] manager comes in and they can build a team around him, that’s what Lukaku needs,” Sturridge told Sky Sports.

“Hopefully, whoever comes in will fancy him and will give him an opportunity. He didn’t really get a big chance to be able to come out and prove himself once again at Chelsea.

“If he does come back and have a good pre-seaosn, the manager will know, this guy is a goal scorer and will provide goals. Maybe there are things teams will want him to do more of, but with regards to scoring goals, Lukaku does that and it is what he’s known for.

“We know that Lukaku’s attributes are in the box, headers, one-touch finishes, things like that. If there are players around him that are going to play to his strengths, maybe right now he’s the right player for Chelsea. With regards to the players they have and the chances they create, he’s someone that the team needs.”

Lukaku rejoined Chelsea from Inter in a €115 million transfer in the summer of 2021.

However, he endured a disastrous 2021-22 season, scoring just eight goals and falling out publicly with manager Thomas Tuchel. His fitness also started to decline.

Lukaku hoped to reignite his career by returning to Inter last summer on loan, the team he played the best club football of his career between 2019 and 2021, winning a Scudetto.

However, so far it has not worked out for the Belgian. He has scored just three Serie A goals all season and has featured in just 16 league games.