Glen Johnson has likened Romelu Lukaku to former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, following his £97.5million transfer.
Lukaku has been brought into better Giroud, Tammy Abraham and Timo Werner in the goal department this season, after the Blues’ frontmen struggled to consistently find the back of the net in the Premier League last time out.
Giroud and Abraham have both now moved on from Chelsea as the Frenchman signed for AC Milan for £2million earlier in the window, whilst the 23-year-old English striker completed a £34million move to Jose Mourinho’s Roma on Tuesday.
Lukaku has consequently taken Abraham’s number nine shirt, and has promised to deliver in his second spell at the club.
Johnson thinks he will do exactly that because he is a ‘modern upgrade’ on Giroud, and offers so much to Thomas Tuchel’s team.
"He’s going to score loads of goals and he’ll cause all teams a lot of problems,” he told SBK Sportsbook. “He’s almost the modern upgrade on Olivier Giroud.
“People used to moan when Giroud played, but I don’t think people realised how good he was for that side.
“Lukaku is the same, but quicker and more powerful. He’s a great addition for that style of play. It wouldn’t surprise me if he had a field day against Arsenal.”
The Belgian’s first spell at Stamford Bridge didn’t go exactly to plan, but he’s now returned as one of the best strikers in the world, and Johnson thinks he’ll be able to adapt quickly.
"At Chelsea the first time, it didn’t really work, but he now knows the league. He’s obviously a more mature player now.
“If he didn’t think he was capable then I’m sure he wouldn’t have gone back. He’s tactically better than he was and his game awareness has improved big time. This time around he can make it work."
