Romelu Lukaku returned in his first game back against Manchester United on Sunday after picking up an injury in October against Malmo. But, how could the forward fit into a Thomas Tuchel attack that has been coping well without him?
Carefree Chelsea’s social producer Daniel Child's (DC) spoke to football scouting and analysis reporter, David Hughes (DH) on Tuesday afternoon's Bridge Breakdown show about if Chelsea fans should worry about how Lukaku could fit into the team...
DC: “There’s been so much discussion around what do we need to do to get the best out of Lukaku. Is Lukaku a problem within the system? For me, it feels like the first-world problems, Lukaku coming back into your team is a negative?
“Or are Chelsea fans overblowing it a bit? There’s a reason we brought him for £98m because he’s a world-class finisher. I don’t really see the headache in that?
DH: “Looking from the outside in, it's certainly a nice problem to have. He’s a brilliant forward and has been brought in for a reason. I think the headache comes because there are so many good attacking profiles at Chelsea.
“Not in every game. But most games they’ve coped fairly well without him. Without that quote on quote ‘ figurehead’ and ‘target man’ type of profile. That feels like doing Lukaku a disservice.
“For me, he comes back into the side because he’s a top player. He’s an elite goalscorer and has shown it at so many different clubs and divisions. I’m actually an Everton fan so I know him quite well of course.
“I watch him a lot week in, week out for a good few years. He’s a more refined striker now at Chelsea. So, for me, definitely in the team and maybe it’s about building the attack around him.
“Talk about versatile profiles, just look at the wingbacks. Chelsea’s attackers are really versatile too. You can still create a dangerous, successful attack with Lukaku, using the players available.
“And not necessarily disrupt it too much.”
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