Every time West Brom head coach Steve Clarke is quizzed about Romelu Lukaku, a comparison with Didier Drogba beckons. But every time the Scot responds to such questions, he refuses to be drawn. It is Clarke’s contention that the forward, on loan at the Hawthorns
this season, can carve out a considerable niche for himself, rather than
suffering understandable – but somewhat lazy – parallels with the
Ivorian.
Their respective similarities are obvious. They are big and strong with an eye for goal. But to bracket Lukaku alongside Drogba simply does not do justice to a player who, year after year, really was the fulcrum around which a series of Chelsea sides prospered. Lukaku has completed half-a-season with West Bromwich Albion. And he hasn’t even featured in every game, being overlooked on occasion for Shane Long. But it takes time for young players to adapt to English football and to the Premier League. It is just the way it is.
It is the reason why Chelsea farmed him out to West Brom, after all. Away from the game, Lukaku has been helped to settle into his new surroundings in the west Midlands by spending time with fellow Belgian Christian Benteke. It has certainly helped. Benteke is a handful on the pitch, but a quiet, rather introverted individual off it. His compatriot is a little louder, but not much. On the pitch there are signs, real signs, that Lukaku will return ready to challenge. Not just that, he is ready to shoulder the crushing responsibility that comes with playing for Chelsea. It’s not just the athleticism and power that he showed in charging down Simon Mignolet’s clearance during West Brom’s 2-1 victory over Sunderland.
But when you have the respect of senior professionals, then it can be said that you are making your way in the game. Ben Foster’s comments were made last month. But are an indication as to how Lukaku has learnt.
It is a strong group at the Hawthorns. Foster, centre-halves Gareth McAuley and Jonas Olsson along with Hawthorns stalwart Chris Brunt and defender Steven Reid make up a solid core. 'Lukaku’s a beast,' said Foster, 'he started off the season in and out – even in training sometimes he was amazing, sometimes he didn’t look like he was there.
'But he’s been on fire recently, looking every bit the player Chelsea bought for £18m. 'Fair play to him – he’s not only an amazing player but he’s such a good lad as well. 'He’s so humble. And in the last month, it looks like the penny’s dropped. 'He’s got everything and I don’t see any reason why next season he shouldn’t be challenging for Chelsea’s first-team.' Clarke was harbouring hopes that Lukaku will return to the Hawthorns for a second loan spell next season. When he was quizzed, the man himself did not rule out the possibility.
However, having seen the manner in which he scored the Baggies’ second goal at Anfield and the devastating effect he had on Sunderland’s rearguard, he is coming of age. But no-one so far has stepped into Drogba’s shoes and threatened to fill them with any real conviction.
Their respective similarities are obvious. They are big and strong with an eye for goal. But to bracket Lukaku alongside Drogba simply does not do justice to a player who, year after year, really was the fulcrum around which a series of Chelsea sides prospered. Lukaku has completed half-a-season with West Bromwich Albion. And he hasn’t even featured in every game, being overlooked on occasion for Shane Long. But it takes time for young players to adapt to English football and to the Premier League. It is just the way it is.
It is the reason why Chelsea farmed him out to West Brom, after all. Away from the game, Lukaku has been helped to settle into his new surroundings in the west Midlands by spending time with fellow Belgian Christian Benteke. It has certainly helped. Benteke is a handful on the pitch, but a quiet, rather introverted individual off it. His compatriot is a little louder, but not much. On the pitch there are signs, real signs, that Lukaku will return ready to challenge. Not just that, he is ready to shoulder the crushing responsibility that comes with playing for Chelsea. It’s not just the athleticism and power that he showed in charging down Simon Mignolet’s clearance during West Brom’s 2-1 victory over Sunderland.
But when you have the respect of senior professionals, then it can be said that you are making your way in the game. Ben Foster’s comments were made last month. But are an indication as to how Lukaku has learnt.
It is a strong group at the Hawthorns. Foster, centre-halves Gareth McAuley and Jonas Olsson along with Hawthorns stalwart Chris Brunt and defender Steven Reid make up a solid core. 'Lukaku’s a beast,' said Foster, 'he started off the season in and out – even in training sometimes he was amazing, sometimes he didn’t look like he was there.
'But he’s been on fire recently, looking every bit the player Chelsea bought for £18m. 'Fair play to him – he’s not only an amazing player but he’s such a good lad as well. 'He’s so humble. And in the last month, it looks like the penny’s dropped. 'He’s got everything and I don’t see any reason why next season he shouldn’t be challenging for Chelsea’s first-team.' Clarke was harbouring hopes that Lukaku will return to the Hawthorns for a second loan spell next season. When he was quizzed, the man himself did not rule out the possibility.
However, having seen the manner in which he scored the Baggies’ second goal at Anfield and the devastating effect he had on Sunderland’s rearguard, he is coming of age. But no-one so far has stepped into Drogba’s shoes and threatened to fill them with any real conviction.
It looks as though Chelsea might finally have found that man.
Source by http://chelseafcbluesnews.blogspot.com
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