Romelu Lukaku “hates” being labelled a goal-poacher – and no wonder. To reduce Chelsea’s number nine to a mere tap-in merchant would not only be unfair, it would be inaccurate.
Yes, Lukaku is at his most effective with the goal at his mercy but he offers so much more than ice-cool finishing. World-class link play for one, not to mention his outstanding movement and pace that would sear a rack of lamb.
But Lukaku’s reputation as a box-treading ‘big-man’ precedes him.
And, as far as the maverick genius Paolo Di Canio is concerned, why would anyone pay their hard-earned cash to watch the remorseless Lukaku gobble up another goal when there are more, let’s say, aesthetically pleasing centre-forwards strutting their stuff elsewhere?
Should Arsenal have pushed harder to sign Victor Osimhen?
“I heard (Inter Milan legend Giuseppe) Bergomi compare Victor Osimhen to Lukaku. But Osimhen has a different spirit, he’s not dull like him,” the West Ham legend said, highlighting the fact that, while Osimhen has fired Napoli to the top of Serie A, Lukaku has hit a blank after a terrific start to life back at Stamford Bridge.
“When the difficulty increased, (Lukaku) has scored no goals in five games for Chelsea. And it’s not Chelsea’s fault, they are top of the table even without his goals.
“He’s a functional player, like (Fernando) Llorente at Juventus.”
While undeniably harsh, Di Canio’s comments are a reflection of the clamour growing around Osimhen in Italy.
After a debut season ruined by injuries and illness, Napoli’s record signing is finally living up to his £51 million price tag with eight goals in nine games, including two sumptuous finishes in the 2-2 Europa League draw with Leicester City.
Arsenal have missed out on some of the biggest stars in world football since the turn of the century – from Cristiano Ronaldo to Zlatan Ibrahimovic – and you have to wonder how long it will be before Gunners supporters start talking about Osimhen in similarly wistful tones?
“You must know Osimhen was followed by Arsenal,” Italian journalist Paolo Bargiggia told 1 Sport Radio a few weeks ago. “He was very close to the Gunners.”
“Very close” but no cigar for Arsenal.
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