By Daily sports on August 17, 2021

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has said he wants to see new recruit Romelu Lukaku have a similar impact at the club to Ivorian legend Didier Drogba.

Lukaku, who hails from Congolese heritage (his father Roger Lukaku played for the now defunct Zaire), was confirmed as a £98m signing for the Blues from Italian champions Internazionale within the past week.

The 28-year-old was on Chelsea’s books between 2011 and 2014, though he spent most of that period on loan to West Bromwich Albion and Everton and will be looking to make a major impact in 2021-22.

“He is a true number nine,” Tuchel said of Lukaku, as quoted by Tribal Football. “When I thought about Chelsea before I even entered the club and had the chance to be part of it, I thought of personalities up front like Didier Drogba and Diego Costa.

“This is something that embodies Chelsea and what Chelsea stands for – strong and physical strikers.”

Drogba is a club legend at Chelsea, with over 380 appearances and 164 goals, as well winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and the Blues’ first UEFA Champions League title in 2012.

“Since I worked here, I understand why there are so many physical strikers that are so needed and so successful because the league demands it. He’s a perfect fit for Chelsea and he will take the weight off the shoulders of our younger strikers,” continued Tuchel.

“This is a huge part of the story, that he does not step away and he’s happy to make life easier for players around him. I think players like Christian [Pulisic], Kai [Havertz] and Timo [Werner] will benefit from him.”

On when Lukaku will make his ‘second debut’ for Chelsea, the German manager added: “We were not fast enough to let him play on Wednesday [in the Super Cup] or against Crystal Palace [on Saturday] because Romelu is still in quarantine and following the protocols.

“He will be out on Monday, do the whole training with us next week and will play for us against Arsenal [next Sunday, 22 August]. That’s the plan. If things go normal, he will be on the pitch then.” (African Football)

•PHOTO: Thomas Tuchel

Source Daily sports

Posted August 17, 2021

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