Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent is backing Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku to score more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo this season.
The two forwards have both made their respective Premier League returns this summer, having departed the Italian top-flight.
Lukaku at first became Chelsea’s record signing as he secured a £97.5million move from Inter Milan. The Portuguese superstar then followed as he exited Serie A giants Juventus for a sensational return to former employers Manchester United.
Having been competing for the top scorer's award in Italy - Ronaldo running out victorious last season with 29 goals - the two are once again expected to be rivals now that they are back in England.
Of course, Lukaku has already thrown down the gauntlet to his competitors, having found the net on his second Chelsea debut in the 2-0 win against Arsenal before the international break.
Bent is backing the Belgian to continue that rich vein of form and outscore the five-time Ballon d’Or winner throughout the remainder of the campaign.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the 37-year-old said: “I’m going to say Lukaku [to score more].
“I look at Chelsea and the goals that they get, a lot of those are going to come through Lukaku.
“But with United and Ronaldo, Mason Greenwood is going to chip in with some. So will Bruno Fernandes and Rashford when he comes back. Ronaldo might not play as much, whereas Lukaku will always start.
“You look at Lukaku and Chelsea bought him for a purpose. He has to play, he was the missing piece of the jigsaw for me. That centre forward role.
“Listen, I think Ronaldo will get goals, I have no doubt about that, but I think Lukaku… well, he’s 1-0 up already.”
Lukaku will hope to find the net once more this weekend against Aston Villa, despite being a slight injury doubt.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo is in line for his second Manchester United debut against Newcastle.
