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‘No doubt’: Rio Ferdinand claims Chelsea have a ‘world class’ player who Tuchel keeps leaving on the bench
Rio Ferdinand still believes Romelu Lukaku is “world class”, despite the fact Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is regularly leaving him on the bench.
Lukaku’s going through a rough individual period that’s seen him start only one Premier League match since the beginning of March.
The 28-year-old forward has proven time and time again throughout his career he can score goals. In fairness, he’s still managed 12 goals in 40 games this campaign.
However, he looks a million miles from being the £97.5million player that Chelsea thought they were getting in the summer.
He moved to Stamford Bridge off the back of 64 goals in 95 appearances for Inter Milan during the previous two campaigns, playing some of his best ever football. Chelsea fans are desperate to know where that player has disappeared now, though.
Ferdinand remains adamant that Lukaku is a clinical goalscorer of an elite standard, but reflects on a poor individual season.
“There’s no doubt Romelu Lukaku, for me, I think he’s a world-class striker. His goals record tells you that. You buy him to score goals. Keep him in the team he will score you goals. This season is not part of what Romelu Lukaku would’ve drawn up as a script for himself, so I would say he would shout louder than anybody that he feels he’s underachieved,” Ferdinand said.
Chelsea problem
The future of Lukaku has to be one of the priorities this summer once the takeover is completed.
It seems ridiculous to have a near-£100million player occupying the bench most weeks, so perhaps it’s best for all parties if a solution can be found elsewhere.
The Belgian frontman is reportedly already considering leaving at the end of the season. He wouldn’t be open to joining AC Milan, though.
It’s not a good look for Chelsea to have these really expensive players struggling for game time. After all, number two Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga cost a mammoth £71.6million.
Let’s judge Tuchel on the Chelsea squad once he’s actually had a few transfer windows at the helm
