Chelsea FC player evaluations 2015/16: 4 ex-Blues

Romelu Lukaku: Everton

Everton had little to smile about this season, but they definitely got a few laughs at Chelsea’s expense courtesy of Romelu Lukaku. Chelsea never quite appreciated the Belgian’s potential, sending him on loan to West Bromwich Albion and Everton before Merseyside’s Blues made the transfer permanent for a club record £28 million.

While Everton struggled to maintain consistent mediocrity during the 2015/16 campaign, Lukaku had the best year of his career. The striker ended the season fourth in the Premier League for goal scoring, with 18 goals in 37 appearances.

Arguably Lukaku’s most memorable night came outside of the Premier League. The Belgian bagged a brace against his former club in the FA Cup quarter-finals, ending Chelsea’s last hope for 2015/16 silverware.

Whereas Chelsea’s offense languished for lack of an effective striker, Lukaku showed the instincts and positioning of a true #10. Five of Lukaku’s 18 goals came from inside the six-yard box, and all but one were within the 18-yard box. Many of Lukaku’s goals came on the end of a Gerard Deulofeu cross from the Everton right, as the duo was Everton’s most consistent offensive threat for much of the season.

Everton finished the season three points behind Chelsea, with both teams having nearly identical stats. Chelsea’s season was defined by a lack of notable star performances. Give or take a few Chelsea players and the campaigns would have gone very much the same.

Romelu Lukaku, on the other hand, single-handedly saved Everton’s season. In mid-March, as Everton sat in 12th place, fantasy football provider Oulala showed that if not for Lukaku, Everton would be on 30 points in 16th place. Everton earned only nine points from their remaining ten games.

The cushion provided by the former – and maybe future – Chelsea man was the only thing that saved Everton from a relegation battle down to the last day of the season.

Next: Petr Cech