Romelu Lukaku

[DARi0]

Dear FIF members,

I think we can all agree that we`ve been linked enough to Romelu Lukaku so we can discuss him in his own thread. His big build and fat paycheck deserves a special place in our Asylum.

Date of Birth (Age): May 13, 1993 [26] {just like Icardi}
Place of Birth: Belgium, Antwerpen to Congolese parents.
Height: 1,90 m / 6 ft 3 in {Icardi is 1,81 m}
Position: Centre-Forward
Caps/Goals NT Level: 79/45 {Belgium's all-time top goalscorer}
Foot: left

In 2017 Man Utd`s Ed Woodward payed €84,7m for his transfer. Now after 2 years he is available on a discount, mostly because to his poor form and being over-priced in the 1st instance. Sure it depends what do you mean by "poor form", in the league he scored 1 more than Icardi this season {not sure how many of them from a penalty kick}. Overall 15 goals & 4 assists in 45 matches vs Icardi`s 17 goals & 5 assists in 36 matches.


(+) His father, Roger Lukaku, played professional football and was capped at international level by Zaire. He has a younger brother named Jordan, who has progressed through the youth academy at Anderlecht and currently plays for Lazio in Italy. His cousin Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo plays as a left-sided winger or defender for Austria's Rapid Vienna. {Always an extra guarantee when players have footballing genes, just like Chiesa}
(+) In addition to his native French and Dutch, Lukaku can speak fluent English, Portuguese, Spanish and a Congolese Swahili dialect, and can also understand German. {I guess it would not be difficult for him to understand and learn Italian}
(+) In 2018, Lukaku signed a record sponsorship deal with German sportswear company Puma, the company’s largest endorsement deal ever.
(+) Very strong build, no record of serious injuries. Tank on the field.
(+) Does NOT drink alcohol. {People even assumed he is Muslim because of this, actually he`s Romano-catholic}

(-) He gained weight. I read that Mourinho was assured by Man Utd doctors that it`s not fat, but muscle mass. However, his mobility is for sure impacted by this. {However, in Italy strong strikers are known to break down defences, think Vieri, Ibra, etc.}
(-) Horrible 1st touch.
(-) Questionable footballing IQ

• a year ago
Lukaku does not have a footballing mind. He may be ideal as a night club bouncer or even a boxer with appropriate training, but as a football player - sorry, no way.

(-) Questionable motivation: Already made it big as a footballer, earning a lot while still young. {Are titles triggering him?}

Romelu Lukaku in August 2017 (left) and in August 2018 (right) Romelu Lukaku has spoken about a new diet and conditioning plan which he says has helped him redicscover goalscoring form.

The Belgian revealed he had been bulking up for the World Cup in the summer, a tactic which helped him score four goals in open play for Belgium, but he says there is a contrast in styles required at the international level and in the Premier League.

“In the Premier League, I cannot play with the same amount of muscle as international football,” the 25-year-old said. “That was something that when I came back I knew straight away: ‘Nah, I cannot play in this style like this.’ I had to lose muscle basically. So you just stay out of the gym, drink a lot of water, and a lot of veg and fish and it helps.”

He also talked about post-tournament fatigue: “After the World Cup, I think I really was a bit tired. But, you know, I had the same thing in 2014 after the World Cup when I came back to Everton, I was really in a slump after the World Cup. So now I think I am in a decent level again and ready to go again. I knew this. Me and the [United] medical staff, we did like a lot of tests to see what was the problem. I had a hamstring injury, which is something that never happens to me.”

He also talked about his current work in the gym: “[There is] more prevention in the gym and I am trying to do speed bursts in training and that’s the most essential,” he added.

Lukaku’s gain in size has been noticed in recent matches, with many fans commenting on social media about his early season sluggishness around the pitch and his poor first touch.

March 2018: Romelu Lukaku has no chance of playing for Inter Milan, well at least for now. This is according to former Inter forward Antonio Cassano, who believes the former Everton man is ‘too fat.’ The 36-year-old was speaking on TikiTaka, an Italian sports TV show. Addressing the Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan rumours, Cassano responded: "No, not Lukaku, come on. He looks like you, Pierluigi." He was referring to the host of the show, renown Italian journalist Pierluigi, who is not so famous for body fitness.

Latest: Gazzetta dello Sport claims the Nerazzurri have already offered United €30m and Ivan Perisic, which the Red Devils are ‘considering’.

If Perisic is making €4.5M net and rising at Inter, it must be strongly emphasized that Lukaku has given the green light to shred his rich English contract. With bonuses, the Belgian earns €8M net per season but he is ready to waive a bit of it just to facilitate the operation. And his agent, Federico Pastorello, is working to bring parties closer together.

It won’t be an easy job because the figures involved are still massive but interest is mutual at least. Lukaku has long expressed his appreciation to move to Milan, on the black and blue side while Perisic has never hidden desire to bring his talent to the Premier League.

Seeing that we won`t get the €35-40m cash for Ivan, I think this might be a good deal for us. Can we have a poll and ask "Do you think it`s a good idea to sign Lukaku for Perisic + cash?"

I believe Conte can get him back into shape, but he`s still not as clinical as Icardi USED TO BE.

 

[Materazzi_23]

Please stop this.

 

[wera]

I'm sorry that you wasted your time on a stupid report that is untrue.

 

[DARi0]

@wera: name the player you would sign to replace Icardi in case he is sold. Realistic one. Fans had enough of him, management had enough of Wandita, team mates for sure.

It`s not about a single report at all. I`m not saying he`s coming, but Lukaku has been linked to us for months, especially since Conte was confirmed as next coach. Dzeko seems to be coming and we need another one if Icardi is being sold.

Shooting 2 birds with 1 stone is something that I see Marotta being capable of, taking advantage of Ed Woodward still having that job.

 

[CafeCordoba]

Tancredi Palmeri also reported about 30m€ + Perisic offer.

 

[KevinB]

Sigh, I'd much rather see us going for Timo Werner, Jovic or Depay. And if we can get a player like Cavani or Diego Costa cheaply we should aim for them.

My dream striker here would be Griezmann. If we can offer Perisic/Icardi + some money for him, we could be set for 5 years.

However, the main rumour is Lukaku so.

Pro Lukaku:

- Good target man
- Good with the head
- Can hold the ball
- Is not bullied as fastly by defenders as for example Lautaro
- Speed & Power
- Fairly young, heading to his prime - 26
- Proven goal scorer in a physically competition
- Can dribble
- Can fill the striker position on his own just fine, doesn't need a partner up front
- We get rid of Perisic

Con Lukaku

- Horrid first touch
- Is a beast used in a counter team and against teams who give loads of space. Now seeing how teams defend in Serie A, it's fair to assume he wouldn't get much space with us against roughly 75% of the teams.
- Gigantic wage
- Massive ego, if the fans Buu against him he can easily react against the fans & coach (and as we have seen in the past, never a good idea to have a reaction against the Curva Nord)
- If he hits a bad form, he's basically useless (but that counts for most players in horrible form)
- Heavily dependable on crosses from the wingers or a creative midfielder
- His body can grow very 'beastly' quickly, meaning he'll lose much of his speed and grow more clumpsy depending on power solely
- Not really proven at the highest level, meaning he's better at midtable teams
- It's fucking Lukaku.

 

[ForzaNerazzurro]

I don't think being "fat" is that big of a problem for a football player. 2 months committed plan with the club nutritionist and they should be fine if it's body fat we're talking about.
If it's actually about the muscle mass then he just needs some time to lay off the gym work.

Regarding whether the rumors are true at all, well, there's been a couple reports so far and logically speaking it's a move that would make sense as Dari0 said.

 

[Reco1986]

The problem is that Icardi IS a better striker than Lukaku, but we have to face the fact that if Icardi leaves us in the summer we have to be realistic about his replacement. Lukaku is a top striker if used correctly and seems willing to come. If Icardi leaves and we could get Lukaku for 30mln + Perisic (which totals around 55-60mln EUR) I consider it a good deal.

If Lukaku comes, I'm really interested on who will be playing on the wings and behind him, because it's a striker who is completely reliant on who's feeding him chances.

 

[ForzaNerazzurro]

Sigh, I'd much rather see us going for Timo Werner, Jovic or Depay.

My dream striker here would be Griezmann. If we can offer Perisic/Icardi + some money for him, we could be set for 5 years.

I'm not sure how many times one has to reiterate that even if we pay these players' clubs double what other teams are offering, they wouldn't be able to convince them to go to Inter.
Out of these maybe Depay would bite but I don't even rate him that highly and don't think Serie A suits his style of play.

Griezmann is leaving Atletico, who are in better shape than us and have been for a few years, to go to Barcelona and win titles.
Jovic is being chased by Real Madrid and other top clubs.
Timo Werner is on every big club's wishlist.

Stop living in the past. Players don't care that Inter is a (used to be) "big club" when there are actual big clubs that are currently successful or have been in the last 2-3 years begging for their signatures.

Barcelona, Real, Bayern or Juventus can sign a player for 10m and we won't be able to get them for 30m because they simply don't want to come here!
What part of this don't you people understand?

 

[KevinB]

I'm not sure how many times one has to reiterate that even if we pay these players' clubs double what other teams are offering, they wouldn't be able to convince them to go to Inter.
Out of these maybe Depay would bite but I don't even rate him that highly and don't think Serie A suits his style of play.

Griezmann is leaving Atletico, who are in better shape than us and have been for a few years, to go to Barcelona and win titles.
Jovic is being chased by Real Madrid and other top clubs.
Timo Werner is on every big club's wishlist.

Stop living in the past. Players don't care that Inter is a (used to be) "big club" when there are actual big clubs that are currently successful or have been in the last 2-3 years begging for their signatures.

Barcelona, Real, Bayern or Juventus can sign a player for 10m and we won't be able to get them for 30m because they simply don't want to come here!
What part of this don't you people understand?

Griezmann is the only player who's unrealistic. But for money everybody dances.

The three of Jovic, Depay and Werner are all lower 'profile' than Lukaku. And if we can get him, why wouldn't we be able to get them?
Players don't care about whether a club is big or not. They care about the money they can get. Of course if Real, Barcelona or the big Premier League clubs come knocking, it might mean a little bit, but overall it's all about the money. For example Manchester City & PSG in the past. (not saying we got the spending power of them now, but just to illustrate)

I'd rather see us spend money on good players instead of the garbage they always come up with.

 

[Ronaldo]

Heavily dependent on crosses? Oh good! That means even more useless crosses in 19/20

 

[brehme1989]

I wouldn't mind Lukaku as a name.

As a third option in a two man striker partnership.

But not with that transfer fee. It's one of a handful of options where using Perisic as bait makes no sense.
Not with that salary. 3.5m max type of player but since we already give Asamoah that, let's just say that 4.5m is the max you should overpay for him.
Not with a starter's demand.
Not with that physical shape. Just no..

 

[Universe]

...

PRO: His little brother plays for Lazio so we can exploit that and stop losing at home to Lazio

 

[Big Willy]

Never understood the huge circlejerk around Lukaku, he's a great striker.

 

[ScottishInterista]

30 million plus Perisic seems like a deal i wouldbe fine with. Feel like he would suit playing in Italy and gets rid of Perisic for us.

 

[brehme1989]

30 million plus Perisic seems like a deal i wouldbe fine with. Feel like he would suit playing in Italy and gets rid of Perisic for us.

What characteristics does he have that suit Italian football and the way Inter opponents are deploying their teams?

 

[ADRossi]

It depends on what Conte does. If we play 3-5-2 with Politano and Perisic whipping in crosses to Lukaku all game it will be a disaster, as he becomes a poor man's Icardi. If we play a 3-4-3 and put two players like Chiesa and El Shaarawy around him that actually offer a diversity of attacking variety, it could work because we can utilize his speed and strength in open play.

I still want nothing to do with Lukaku though. Would rather sign Dzeko for 14 million and sign some proper midfielders.

 

[ScottishInterista]

What characteristics does he have that suit Italian football and the way Inter opponents are deploying their teams?

While i do take issue with some of his characteristics (he needs to drop weight and his first touch is by far his weakest point) he is still a good player and one season at Man U shouldn't be the standard on which to judge him, otherwise we have no leg to stand on for Icardi. He's quick but needs the right players around him. Theres a reason he destroyed Brazil last year, did so well with Everton and the previous season at Man U, and it is largely to do with the set up and who he had surrounding him. He's tried coming deeper this season and it doesn't work for a man of his skill set. If we gave him an attack which runs at the defence with players like Chiesa, Begwijn or Lozano then he can exploit the space they make. We know Serie A defences aren't used to players running at them, Napoli proved that i feel with their front three last season, that and their forwards computational play. It's why players as shit as vecino can walk through midfields and defences for the most part.

This style of play also suits Icardi but i don't feel Icardi will be given another chance and rightfully or wrongfully will be passed off by september. Lukaku is very Icardi lite but passes better and is stronger when running through the channels. Perhaps it's not exactly Lukaku i am in favour for but the style of attack we would hopefully implement for him to thrive. He's the best replacement for Icardi imo if we want the same style of player.

 

[Ed.]

If he is coming to replace Icardi, then we should ask what Icardi can do but Lukaku can't?

 

[Kramerica Industries]

This thread's existence is a nightmare.