Who is Romelu Lukaku?

One of the most exciting and promising strikers in Europe, surely every fan of European football has had a conversation about the 18 year old in the past twelve months. Real Talk Football is going to look at why he has received so much publicity recently, leading him to be linked with a move to the Premiership, possible suitors being Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.

I named him as one of the most promising players in the world last year, and he has came into the media spotlight this past week, after Chelsea had reportedly put in a £18 million bid for the youngster.

Lukaku was born in Antwerp in Belgium, and has currently spent the last two years of his career at one of the country’s biggest sides; RSC Anderlecht. He has made 71 appearances for the Purple and White, and scored 31 times. He hit 16 goals in the Belgian Pro League last season, and a fabled story tagged with the young striker, is that in his youth career with Lierse and Anderlecht, he hit over 100 goals.

He says he looks up to Didier Drogba as his football hero, not to mention Lukaku being a self confessed Chelsea fan, and is in the same mould as the Stamford Bridge legend. He is 6ft 3in, blessed with raw power, pace and strength. He is predominatly left footed, but capable of scoring with his right foot. He is excellent in the air, and displays the same ability as Drogba, using these attributes to score. I’d argue he has the same knack for hitting those scuff-shots with inevitably end up in the net, just like Drogba.


Not only is he gifted on the football pitch, but he speaks four different languages; Dutch, French, Congolese and English. Anderlecht are holding for £25 million, and it seems they are willing to bide their time in order to get their true valuation of the player. Chelsea are the apparent front runners at the moment, and the chances of him moving to West London have been rated “50/50”.

Lukaku has played nine times for the Belgium national team, scoring twice. Should he join Chelsea, he’d already have to contend with Roman Abramovic’s favourite Fernando Torres, established striker Nicholas Anelka, promising forward Daniel Sturridge and his “idol” Didier Drogba. This move, of course still remains nowhere near completion but it would be fantastic to see someone who seems so equipped to play in the Premiership finally testing himself in one of the toughest leagues in the world.



Here’s all you need to know

Age: 18

Date of birth: 13/05/1993

Nationality: Belgian

Position: Striker

Club: Anderlecht

Club Apps: 71 Club Goals: 31

International Caps: 9 International Goals: 2



Real Talk Football

The Best Young Players in the World: No. 1

We finish out countdown of the best young players and prospects in the World by naming our number 1. The young sensation who plays his football in Belgium.


Here's all you need to know:

Name: Romelu Lukaku
DOB: 13/04/1993 Age: 16
Height: 6ft 3in
Nationality: Belgian
Position: Striker
Previous Clubs: FC Brussels Current Club: RSC Anderlecht
Shirt Number: 36

The top two players on the list descend from Congolese backgrounds, and were born in neighbouring countries, unlike Kakuta, Romelu Lukaku was born in Antwerp, Belgium. Lukaku has caught the eye of near enough every big club in Europe and has been discussed in many different footballing circles. At only 16 years of age, he is playing professionally for the best team in Belgium, and has helped them go 12 points clear in the Belgian First Division. The youngster has a phenomenal goals to game ratio, for a player of his age, playing 24 times, scoring 13 goals. I also read he scored 121 times in 80 games at youth level which is amazing.

Lukaku has made many appearances in Europe, featuring against the likes of Ajax, Lyon and Athletic Bilbao, and most importantly gaining significant praise from all opposing managers. Club captain club captain Olivier Deschacht said after the Ajax game:

“You saw it for yourself; he was fantastic. He normally distinguishes himself with his speed, but tonight he struck twice with his head.”

“I hope he stays with us for another two or three years, so he can play a lot and build up his rhythm, and after that I think he could go to somewhere like England and play at the very highest level. I believe he’s that good.”

The young striker, has been compared to Chelsea's star striker Didier Drogba and can already boast an International cap to his name, after making his International debut against Croatia last week. Blessed with strength, power, aerial ability and clearly an eye for goal, the youngster has of course been tipped for big things and will undoubtedly become a star in years to come.

There have been similar scout reports on goal.com, soccerlens, New Football pools and finally the News of the World. Let me know what you think and if you agree with the list, but for now you can see more videos of the star below (the second is my personal favourite):

Brought to you by Real Talk Football

Barclays Premier League 2011/12 Preview - Chelsea

Chelsea

Manager: Andres Villas-Boas

Captain: John Terry

Last Season: 2nd

In:

Romelu Lukaku - Anderlecht - £20 million
Lucas Piazon – Sao Paulo – £6.6 million
Thibaut Courtois – KRC Genk – £7.9 million
Oriel Romeu – FC Barcelona – £4.5 million

Out:

Nemanja Matic – Benfica – £4.4 million
Michael Mancienne – Hamburger SV – £2.2 million
Fabio Borini – Parma – Hamburger SV – Free
Jeffrey Bruma – Hamburger – Hamburger SV – £440,000
Jack Cork – £740,000 – Southampton
Thibaut Courtois – Athletico Madrid – Loan


This Season:

New boss Andres Villas-Boas has an interesting task on his hands at Chelsea, he has to get the side playing exciting football, he has to deal with the white elephant that is Fernando Torres, and most importantly; he must get Chelsea a trophy (preferably the Champions League). All these tasks will require Chelsea to hit the ground running in their opening Premier League away to Stoke.

This preseason has given a good indication to where the West London club, no marquee signings so far although Romelu Lukaku is set to join, but being outbid by Paris Saint Germain for much needed playmaker Javier Pastore, and Luka Modric not too fussed whether Abramovich cough’s up the fee for him or not, you wonder where this injection of youth and excitement will come from within the Chelsea ranks. With just three weeks left of the transfer window, expect a push for Modric, as he only seems to be there main target.

The 4-3-3 formation will return, while I fully expect Daniel Sturridge to have a great season. Abramovich will expect Villas-Boas to get the best out of the Fernando Torres, while keeping Didier Drogba happy. Defensively, Chelsea are still fantastic, but the midfield leaves a lot to be desired. They need a playmaker in that midfield, maybe incorporate Josh McEachran into the first team, and see how he develops. With Jon Obi Mikel not impressing, and Michael Essien injured (again) new Barcelona recruit Oriol Romeu may get his run in the Chelsea first team sooner rather than later.

You can read more on Chelsea's new boss here, and their now signings; here.

The Chelsea winning machine will grind on, and be the main source of competition in all four competitions. I don’t think they have enough strength in depth to win the Champions League, but none the less they will look to win a trophy after finishing last season empty handed.

Prediction: 3rd

Best Starting XI


One to watch this season: Daniel Sturridge

How do you think Chelsea will do this season? Leave your comment below