Romelu Lukaku: I’m not going out on loan

After mightily impressing at his loan spell at West Brom last season, Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku looks set to be part of the Chelsea first-team this season.

The youngster has ruled out a loan move this summer having scored 17 goals and creating a further four in just 38 matches for West Brom last season. It looked like a no-brainer to give him a chance to prove himself at Stamford Bridge.

Yet, there have been constant rumours that Chelsea will bring in a marquee centre forward. The likes of Radamel Falcao and Robert Lewandowski were continuously linked with a move to the blues until recently.

“We [Mourinho and Lukaku] had a good talk and now it’s up to me.” – Lukaku.

Hence, there was a possibility of Lukaku going out on yet another loan deal because there would simply be no space for four strikers in the team. The 20-year-old, though, has now confirmed that he will most probably be staying at Chelsea for the coming season.

“I think I will have a place in the squad and hopefully in the starting 11.”

There are several reasons to think why Lukaku will get more first-team action under José Mourinho. The Portuguese has always had a huge physical presence upfront to act as a target. He also does not seem to think highly of Torres right now.

“If I don’t do well here, then loan again.”

Despite his 17 goals, Lukaku is still an unpolished diamond. It remains to be seen if Mourinho can get the best out of him.