Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez says he won’t recall Romelu Lukaku from his loan deal at West Brom. He’s made the wrong choice for a number of reasons.
The one thing that the Chelsea attack has been missing this season is a bit of aggression and strength, that Didier Drogba type player to take the team by the scruff of the neck and drive them onto the opposition’s goal. Fernando Torres is never going to play that role and Rafa Benitez has just excluded the one striker who fits the bill perfectly.
Romelu Lukaku does not seem like a very subtle striker. He is on loan at West Brom and has bagged five goals in 13 matches which is better than Torres this season. By the way, West Brom are in fifth and on the same number of points as the Stamford Bridge side.
Benitez has suggested that it would be better for the player’s development if he was left where he is and allowed to focus on life at West Brom. However, Chelsea are struggling in terms of attacking options, especially if reports are to be believed that a Daniel Sturridge move to Liverpool is imminent.
“We know Romelu has been doing very well for West Brom. But it’s maybe best for him to stay there where he is playing games for now, as it will be better for his future development,” said Benitez.
These comments can lead Chelsea fans into feeling a little bit mystified over the January plans of the club. It’s clear the team could use an extra body in attack and this suggests they are going to go out and possibly buy someone instead of utilising an extremely talented player that they already own.
To suggest that the age of Lukaku means he is under developed as a player is a little naïve because he could add a great deal to this current Chelsea team. He is superb at holding the ball up which is one area that Torres has really struggled this season. He can back into defenders with strength control the ball using his head and chest and then lay the ball off before making a break forward.
His sheer physical presence makes him a threat at any set piece regardless of the team he is playing for and it also means he is effective in defence. Chelsea are struggling at the moment and the odd goal headed in from a corner or a free kick could make the difference in the title race for a club that could end up ten points behind Manchester United by the end of the weekend.
It’s a shame because Chelsea are crying out for someone to play the Drogba role.
image: © wshjackson
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