Lukaku 'can be the player Chelsea need' insists Sturridge
Romelu Lukaku ‘can be the player Chelsea need’, insists Daniel Sturridge, who believes the Blues striker could return from Inter Milan to revive their struggling attack after goalless draw against Liverpool
- Chelsea were profligate in front of goal in their 0-0 draw with Liverpool
- Daniel Sturridge believes Romelu Lukaku deserves another chance at Chelsea
- Ex Blues and Liverpool striker believes a new manager could get him firing
Daniel Sturridge believes Chelsea could benefit from giving Romelu Lukaku another chance to prove himself at Stamford Bridge.
Lukaku was frozen out by former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel last summer after a disappointing first year back at the club having transferred from Inter Milan for £98m in 2021.
But the Belgian, who was also on the club’s books between 2011 and 2014, soon fell out of favour under Tuchel and returned to Inter last summer on loan.
While many feel Lukaku has run out of chances at Stamford Bridge, another former Chelsea striker in Sturridge feels he could still become key to a future Blues boss if they play to the Belgian hitman’s strengths.
‘Dependant on manager, if they come in and build team around him, hopefully whoever comes in does fancy him as he didn’t have chance to prove himself,’ Sturridge told Sky Sports following Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool.
Romelu Lukaku (left) could still be Chelsea’s main striker under a new manager insists Daniel Sturridge (right) who backed the Belgian to still have the talent to prove himself
Lukaku has spent the season on loan at Inter Milan but has struggled to find the Serie A net
‘New manager should know this guy does score goals. He does that and that’s what he is known for.’
Chelsea wasted numerous chances to defeat Liverpool on Tuesday night, with midfielder Mateo Kovacic missing two big opportunities to score while Joao Felix and Kai Havertz also fluffed their lines in front of goal on a frustrating night for the club.
Sturridge believes the chances Chelsea wasted could have been finished by Lukaku who he was team-mates with while Sturridge was at Stamford Bridge between 2009 and 2013.
‘For arguments sake we know his attributes are in the box, headers, one-touch finishes, if players around him provide those opportunities, right now maybe he is right player for that, if he was here could score those chances,’ Sturridge claimed.
‘Not saying [they have to] bring him back and build a team around him but at the moment he can be the player they need.’
Months after re-signing for the club in 2021, Lukaku fell out with manager Thomas Tuchel
Lukaku (second right) and Sturridge (right) were Chelsea team-mates during the former’s first spell at the club as they defend a free-kick against Blackburn Rovers in May 2012
Despite Sturridge talking up chances of what would be a surprise Blues return for Lukaku, co-pundit Jamie Carragher was less convinced over the 29-year-old being the answer to Chelsea’s striker conundrum.
Carragher added: ‘He has had his time here, different manager but he has had his time here and doesn’t cut it.’
Lukaku though has also struggled on his return to Serie A this term, scoring just three top flight goals in 16 appearances.
However, he was on target on Tuesday night in the Coppa Italia against Juventus scoring in stoppage time before then being sent off for over celebrating.
The striker though was also the victim of alleged racist abuse before his equaliser from the penalty spot.
His one season back at Stamford Bridge saw him net just eight goals in 26 games.
Despite spending £600m this season, Chelsea still don’t have a reliable striker to call upon, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s summer arrival soon proving a misfit after Tuchel was sacked almost instantly after his debut.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has proven to be a misfit following his summer arrival
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly could be on to a third manager by the end of the season
Goals have been a huge problem for the Blues this term and signing a striker will likely be their main priority in the summer transfer window.
Chelsea have been discussing a potential deal for Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund, with the Serie A side demanding £60m for the 20-year-old.
However with Bruno Saltor taking charge of the 0-0 draw on Tuesday night in an interim role following the sacking of Graham Potter, hiring a new manager will be the next port of call for owner Todd Boehly.
Julian Nagelsmann, Roberto De Zerbi, Maurucio Pochettino and Luis Enrique have all been linked with the Stamford Bridge role.
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