The loaning of players between Premiership teams is a source
of much contention, but there is no doubt that Romelu Lukaku’s loan spell at
West Bromwich Albion has helped him, Chelsea and West Brom. There was talk of
spending another season at the Hawthorns but Lukaku has shown he is ready to
play for Chelsea in the Premiership right now.
In hindsight, perhaps the management at Stamford Bridge
should have recalled their £20million signing in January, given the continuing
problems Fernando Torres is suffering upfront and Demba Ba’s facial injury.
However, sporadic game time would have hindered Lukaku more than it would have
helped Chelsea, and the Belgian has established a reputation in England that
will drive him up the pecking order for the Blues and also offer him all
important time in the eyes of the fans and the media to make an impression in a
Chelsea shirt.
So, assuming Lukaku continues to impress for Steve Clarke’s
side, what should be the next step for Romelu and Chelsea? The answer is linked
to the aforementioned Torres who has struggled even under the guiding hand of
his old Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez. Torres looks a shadow of the player who
terrorised Premier League defences while at Anfield, and it is now time for
Abramovich to finally cut his losses. Whoever takes over from the interim
manager in the summer (for the chances of Benitez staying in charge beyond the summer
look remote at best) will no doubt tow the party line that Torres is a quality
player and that a new manager can get the best out of him, but in reality it
would be best for all parties if Torres was allowed to leave the Stamford
Bridge spotlight.
That leaves Ba and Lukaku as Chelsea’s only true striking
options. Plenty of their ‘number 10s’ can play in a forward role, like Juan
Mata, Eden Hazard or Oscar, but none of them can lead the line like Ba or
Lukaku. An additional striker may be needed to give the option of playing two
upfront, but any new man should look to complement Lukaku, not supersede him.
Lukaku’s brace against Sunderland took him to twelve goals
in 25 appearances, an impressive return, and his speed, strength and work rate,
allied to a good touch and sharp striking instinct make him a threat in the
Premiership. He has played over 150 games in his career and will not turn 20
until May. He may be young but he does not look it, and most importantly he
does not play like it.
Chelsea have some big decisions to make in the summer, not
least what to do with the £50million Torres. Getting rid of the Spaniard would
be hugely embarrassing but Lukaku’s form and goals this season for WBA would
soften the blow. Replacing a world cup winner with a teenager may at first look
a risk, but it could be the safest bet Chelsea can make.
