Romelu Lukaku is in line to make his second Chelsea debut against Arsenal on Sunday after club record signing revealed he has been given the number nine shirt. Belgium striker Lukaku rejoined Chelsea in a £98m (USD 135m) move from Inter Milan last week.
The 28-year-old recalled Chelsea’s win over Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener on Saturday while he was apart.
But Lukaku trained with his new teammates in front of Chelsea fans during an open session at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
He is struggling to play in the London derby at Emirates Stadium this weekend.
Asked if he could face Arsenal, Lukaku told reporters: “Yes, I have done the whole pre-season. For now, I just want to get to know my teammates better.
“So at the end of the day I am available to the manager if he wants me to play.”
The number nine shirt at Chelsea has been like a poisoned cup in recent years, with Gonzalo Higuain, Fernando Torres, lvaro Morata and Radamel Falcao all facing long goal droughts wearing jerseys.
But when Tammy Abraham joined Roma earlier this week, Lukaku missed his chance to pick up the number after the jersey was empty.
“Yeah, I have number nine. I’m happy and lucky to be in this position.”
“The dream is a reality so I have to prove it on the pitch. It’s time to act and let my performance do the talking.”
Lukaku spent three years at Chelsea between 2011 and 2014, but rarely made appearances before being sold to Everton.
Now, nearly 10 years after arriving in West London as an unnamed teenager, Lukaku is back as one of the world’s top strikers.
His stellar form, including 27 goals and 11 assists, helped Inter win Serie A last season.
‘high standard’
Despite his star turn at Inter, Lukaku still has some doubts in England after a few sluggish performances during his two-year stay at Manchester United that ended in acrimony in 2019.
Lukaku insists that he is a different character after his transformative time in Italy.
“Maturity has been important. I feel like I’ve learned a lot about myself while setting high standards.”
“As a player, it’s about being more complete. In Italy, the game is different, there are tighter spaces, it’s more technical and tactical, which helped me a lot.
“The English game is different but it is nothing new for me. Whatever plan the coach has, I can mold myself and help the team.
“I’m one of those players who like to connect everyone and make everyone feel comfortable and give them confidence.”
Lukaku’s revival has been aided by advice from Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba.
“He kept it really simple, to be honest. He was really happy with the improvements I’ve made over the past few seasons, but he said there’s always work to be done,” Lukaku said.
“I think it’s the right mindset. I really want to achieve the maximum as a football player, it’s about improving week in, week out.
“I think the last two years have been very good for me at the club and international level.
“Now I have the opportunity to join a team that is very hungry and ambitious and I can’t wait to add something new to their style of play.”
Although Chelsea won the Champions League last season, they struggled to score at times as Timo Werner flopped in his first season with the Blues.
Lukaku is confident he can fulfill any role required by Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel and hopes to take the field.
“It’s a good feeling. The guys are hungry, they want to keep winning, there’s good intensity I can see from the last few training sessions.”
“The coach is very clear with his ideas, everyone wants to work hard and keep improving. Those things really fit my ambitions.”
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