Ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole is delighted on Romelu Lukaku’s return to Stamford Bridge with the Belgian striker putting pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Blues.
The 28-year-old Lukaku rejoins the Premier League giants in a big-money move from Inter Milan with Thomas Tuchel’s attempts to bring in a star forward for his side proving successful this summer.
Chelsea had struggled in the final third of the pitch last season as the likes of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, both of whom joined the Blues in the previous summer transfer window, failed to hit the ground running in front of the goal.
The numbers speak for themselves. 💪#LukWhosBack pic.twitter.com/ARkBnRmSpb
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 12, 2021
Lukaku’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, however, is of much significance to Thomas Tuchel’s camp who will benefit greatly from the Belgian’s attacking ability and will be backed to compete for the Premier League crown, according to Joe Cole.
Speaking to The Sun, Cole claims that by signing a proven goalscorer in Lukaku, Tuchel’s men will be considered strong contenders for title-winning glory with the new Chelsea recruit having grown massively as a player since his time away from the west Londoners.
“I think it puts them right on the level with Manchester City, especially if they don’t do anything more.
“I look at the Chelsea squad now and don’t see any weaknesses.
“If you look at last season and look at it very crudely, even though they won the Champions League, the top scorer finished with seven goals. So it’s evident they needed a goalscorer and Lukaku’s a goalscorer.
“Not only that, but he is the complete focal point of an attack.
“Chelsea have an abundance of players who can play in and around him. They are now real contenders.”
“He has matured massively as a player. He has come into his own. Since he left Chelsea he’s scored goals wherever he’s gone.
“He has been a huge player for Belgium, he’s won trophies and he is now not only a winner but a leader.
“When he was at Chelsea he was heir to Didier Drogba’s throne and now he has grown into that.”
