Glen Johnson backs Romelu Lukaku to still have a future at Chelsea
Talking to BetFred (h/t Evening Standard), former Premier League fullback Glen Johnson believes that Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku would still have a future at Chelsea.
After signing Lukaku for £97.5m from Inter Milan in the summer of 2021, Chelsea sent the former Manchester United striker back on loan to the Italian side last summer.
The 29-year-old scored only eight goals in 26 league appearances in his comeback season at Stamford Bridge. Things have not been smooth for either him or Chelsea since they parted ways in the summer.
Here’s what Johnson said when asked if Lukaku has a future in west London (h/t Evening Standard):
“It’ll all depend on what the manager sees in pre-season and what he sees from Romelu Lukaku at Inter Milan from now until the end of the season. If he comes back and plays like he did before, then he will be going straight back out the door to somewhere else.
“However, if he comes back with the bit between his teeth and he really wants to work hard, knuckle down and show everybody that he wants to be there, then he could still have a future at Chelsea.”
Lukaku isn’t having the greatest of seasons on loan at Inter, with just five goals in 17 appearances in all competitions. Injuries did not help in the first part of the campaign.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have struggled to score goals. They signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the deadline of the summer window to do just that, but the former Arsenal striker has failed to do that.
The Blues have scored 24 goals in 25 league games so far this season, which is three less than what Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has got by himself.
Thus, something needs to be done about this issue before it affects them in the coming seasons. We are linked with Napoli striker Victor Osimhen who would cost over £100m. But, is it possible to get him if we are not in the Champions League next season? One would doubt so.
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Keeping Lukaku isn’t the most viable option though, as the player wants to make the move permanent to Inter. Chelsea manager Graham Potter isn’t too keen on using him as well. So, we should spend the money on a striker rather than relying on the Belgian to come good.
