According to Italian outlet, CMW, Newcastle United are keen on Romelu Lukaku if they manage to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
The Magpies are well and truly in the race for the top four heading into 2023, and qualifying for UEFA’s premier competition will open a number of doors for Eddie Howe’s side next summer.
Indeed, as a Champions League club, the Magpies would be able to attract a much higher calibre of player, and Lukaku is certainly in that bracket.
However, as every Premier League fan will know, Lukaku can blow hot and cold, and one man who can attest to that is Alan Shearer.
The Newcastle legend has always been a champion of Lukaku, stating that he’s a player who has everything during his time at Everton, but even he has been frustrated by the Belgian striker at times.
Shearer’s view of Lukaku is best summed up by two pieces of analysis he’s done on the striker in the past.
Lukaku divides Shearer’s opinion
Shearer has given Lukaku mixed reviews in the past.
“His [Lukaku’s] game was complete today,” Shearer said on Match of the Day back in 2015.
“He has everything, holding it up, running in behind and causing the defence all kind of problems. I thought he had everything, I think the penny has dropped with him.”
Then, during a poor spell at Manchester United, Shearer said that Lukaku needs to change his game.
“My advice to him would be, when you are on a barren spell. Forget going out wide and coming deep, it is time to be selfish,” Shearer said.
“He has to think about the width of the 18-yard box. That is where he is at his most dangerous. Let other people create chances for you. He is getting judged on scoring goals. He is going deep, going out wide, he isn’t helping himself and certainly isn’t helping anyone.”
Howe’s pet project
Eddie Howe has been brilliant at getting the best out of his attacking players since joining Newcastle and if he can unlock Lukaku, Newcastle would have one of the most dangerous weapons in Europe.
Yes, he’s been poor for both Chelsea and United, but let’s not forget, he was electric for Everton and an absolute superstar for Inter Milan during his first spell at San Siro.
Lukaku at his best is a fantastic striker, and Howe may be the manager to bring that out of him on a regular basis.
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