Has Romelu Lukaku played his way into a Chelsea future?
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 12 May 2022 12:57 CDT
- 4 min read
Romelu Lukaku is back. At least that's what it seems like.
The Belgian forward followed up his brace against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend with another strike away to Leeds United to move into the lead of Chelsea's goal-scoring charts for the year.
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With 15 goals in all competitions this season, it's been far from a poor campaign for the former Inter forward, but much more was expected given the fee paid.
A lack of fitness, suitability to Thomas Tuchel's system and service have all been cited as reasons for Lukaku's failing this year and all have merit.
Lukaku's reputation has altered from one of Europe's most dangerous to one playing second fiddle at Chelsea over the course of the 2021/22 season and for good reason.
He hasn't made Chelsea title contenders as many predicted, and he's often drifted through games without a hint of the form he displayed so regularly in Serie A. His seven touches against Crystal Palace in February, an all-time Opta low, compounded his issues at the club he left permanently in 2014.
But, something has changed.
The timing of his upturn in form, although likely coincidental, is certainly interesting. With two goals against Wolves, his first in the Premier League in 2022, came with Todd Boehly, the candidate chosen to become the new owner, watching in the Stamford Bridge stands.
And, his all-round performance and goal against Leeds consolidated a solid week that will end with the FA Cup final against Liverpool.
It comes following reported interest from Barcelona and a feeling that his time back at Chelsea could come to an end after just one year.
His past two performances, however, may have changed all that.
While Kai Havertz has been the preferred option through the middle in recent months, the German sat out the win over Leeds altogether and was a late substitute versus Wolves.
Lukaku was selected, and he certainly delivered. After the game Tuchel addressed his club record signing's recent vein of form, saying: "It's always the right time to find rhythm. I'm happy he scored again and he wanted to stay on the pitch to get his goal."
What has changed?
Lukaku's converted penalty against Wolves will have undoubtedly filled him with the confidence an ended goal-drought will inevitably bring, but there's more to the topic that simply an improved level of self-belief in front of goal.
Simply put, Chelsea have begun to utilise Lukaku's strengths and involve him in play.
While he's cut an isolated figure for much of the season, that wasn't the case against Leeds, which was arguably his best performance since his second debut at the Emirates.
Lukaku had 44 touches in the game, and while that paled in comparison to Trevoh Chalobah's match-high 149, it was his second highest personal tally for the season.
In fact, Lukaku has only reached 40 or more touches in a Premier League game on three occasions this season and he's remarkably scored in every single one.
It's not a coincidence either. By involving Lukaku, Chelsea play to his strengths rather than leave him as a lone figure to battle with central defenders.
Mason Mount's opener against Leeds was a perfect example. Lukaku dropped deep to link play, which set Chelsea on their way before the Englishman delivered a clinical finish.
Lukaku isn't a target man, but he is excellent in transition, as he displayed at Inter. Chelsea have begun to look for him far more regularly in the past two games, and it's paid off.
It may be nine months too late for this season, but Chelsea appear to have worked out how to get Lukaku firing.
Chelsea career saved?
It had looked very likely that Chelsea would cash in on Lukaku this summer. Havertz was the number one option, and he was a sellable asses wasting away on the bench.
However, he's shown his value over the past week, and it'll be up to Tuchel to ensure the Belgian continues in the upward trajectory he's currently heading on.
Although it may have taken a large bid from suitors this summer, Chelsea were open to the idea of letting him leave. With his past two performances in mind, that may well have changed.
Lukaku still has a long way to go, but the early signs are there that the relationship between the player and the club could be about to blossom.
