We have a lot of reasons to curse COVID-19. At the risk of getting too deep, Coronavirus has impacted all of our lives in some form and that cannot be taken for granted. However, it has also provided the perfect storyline for Romelu Lukaku’s long awaited return to Chelsea. The striker could’ve made a poetic return to Stamford Bridge against Crystal Palace, but thanks to lockdown regulations in the UK, his tale has developed into one straight out of a movie script.
Supporters have all heard the Belgian’s origin story. Lukaku grew up in Antwerp in a family that was “not just poor, but broke” as he describes it. He worked tirelessly as a child as a promise to himself that he’d provide for his family one day, becoming a professional at 16 years and 11 days at Anderlecht. Lukaku made his dream move to Chelsea in 2011 and the rest was history, right? Not quite; things didn’t go according to plan the first time around. Nevertheless, he returned a decade later to Stamford Bridge—the place he promised peers he’d play one day—and is living a life that will one day be made into an inspirational film.
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Romelu Lukaku’s storybook return to Chelsea is not just unbelievable, it’s seemingly a script straight out of a movie
Lukaku made his second return to the Blues at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Nine years and 360 days after his maiden debut with Chelsea, Lukaku was named in Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI against Arsenal. As Reece James’ cross found the feet of the No. 9 and the ball rattled the back of Bernd Leno’s net in the 15′ of the match, Lukaku had finally fulfilled a lifelong dream.
The 28-year-old’s story is one of rags to riches. He went from not being able to afford to watch the Champions League on television as a child to playing for the reigning Champions League winners. Lukaku went from a Belgian teenager taking tours of Stamford Bridge to the Blues’ record signing at £97.5 million and his country’s top international scorer. It’s such a wholesome tale and it’s one you cannot help but smile from ear-to-ear when hearing. He may not have had the easiest or most straightforward path, but that’s what makes the outcome so much more incredible. Lukaku is finally home now though, right where he belongs.
Tuchel’s new frontman had a debut that some could only dream of having when playing for their beloved club. Lukaku scored in the opening 15 minutes of his second debut. Even though fans didn’t have to wait long to see the Belgian get onto the scoresheet, it was a goal 10 years in the making for him. Lukaku netted his first goal for the Blue in his 16th appearance for the west London side. He seldom put a foot wrong throughout the rest of the contest either. Lukaku helped guide Chelsea to a massive early season victory and it’s just the beginning. Sunday went a long way in showing Blues supporters and the rest of the Premier League just what Chelsea is capable of when Lukaku is leading the line. It’s night and day in attack in comparison to last season.
The Blues are undoubtedly amongst the English top flight favorites now with the acquisition of the world class forward. The task that lies ahead is Liverpool at Anfield. It’s a top fight tussle between two Premier League heavyweights and Lukaku will be right in the center of the ring for it. However, figuring out how to get past Virgil van Dijk is a relatively simple task compared to the challenges the Belgian has faced throughout his life.
In just a few weeks’ time, a kid from Antwerp who used to snack on bread and watered-down milk will get to hear his name echo around each corner of one of football’s most historic grounds. Lukaku’s story is one of the best in world football and hearing 40,000 fans chant his name is going to be simultaneously spine-tingling and heartwarming.
Lukaku is an inspiration to us all. His story shows us that football is so much more than a game.