The evolution of Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku

Since joining Chelsea in the summer of 2011, Romelu Lukaku has grown in stature as a player. Lukaku had a disappointing first season for the Blues, and was confined to reserve team football for the most part. However, a loan move to West Brom in the 2012/13 season brought about a turnaround and it could just galvanizing the Belgian giant.

Lukaku started his professional career at Belgian club Anderlecht, where he built quite a reputation for himself as the massive 16-year-old goal scoring machine. In the 2009/10 season, the then-teenager helped Anderlecht to the league title and finished the season as the league’s top scorer. This prompted interest from several top European clubs.

In 2011, he signed for Chelsea, only 18 at the time. With Didier Drogba past the 30 mark, and being rumoured to quit Chelsea at the season end, expectations fell on Lukaku to follow the Ivory Coast striker’s trail.

However, he failed to make an impact and made only eight appearances in his first season, in which he failed to find the net. He spent the rest of the season playing for the reserves. His future at Chelsea looked rather bleak as questions were asked as to whether Chelsea had made a mistake in signing the young Belgian.

The turning point came last season, with a loan move to West Bromwich Albion. His first game was as a substitute in their 4-2 win against Sunderland. The match ended with Lukaku scoring and handing an assist to Fortune.

He went on to be the Baggies’ top scorer that season with 17 goals in the league, including a hat-trick against champions Manchester United on the final day of the season.

The young Belgian has since then returned to Stamford Bridge under new boss Jose Mourinho. His good form has continued as he netted on several occasions during their Asian pre season tour.

As the new season begins, there is no doubt that Lukaku will continue to mature as a forward. He is already showing Chelsea fans signs that he is capable of scoring goals.

Despite a difficult start, it finally looks as though his Chelsea career is ready to blossom. He is not the first player to have experienced problems in his first season.

Florent Malouda, Ramires and even Drogba all had difficulties in their first seasons; yet, each went on to become player of the season during their Chelsea stints. Maybe Lukaku will follow in this path. He may even go on to be as prolific as Drogba, or possibly even more. Only time will tell.