What have we learnt from every Romelu Lukaku key touch for Chelsea?
Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal
There is no rest for the mega-expensive! Lukaku slotted straight into the Chelsea first team upon becoming available for selection late last month. Tuchel’s suggestion about sending the Belgian onto the pitch without tactical instructions seems a bit far-fetched as there were things he did repeatedly—and did well.
5′: Right from the start, Lukaku’s plan is clear. He wishes to isolate Pablo Mari, back into him, use his strength to shield the ball and then either swivel away or play a simple pass to an onrushing teammate. In this instance, the forward does the aforementioned action, receiving the ball into his feet from N’Golo Kante before laying it off for Kai Havertz. A sign of things to come all night.
15′: It doesn’t take long for Lukaku to make his mark. He’s backed into Mari when he receives the ball from Mateo Kovacic, controls it and lays it back to the midfielder. At this point, Lukaku has dropped deeper, meaning the Arsenal defensive line has moved up the pitch. As Kovacic plays a simple pass to Reece James out wide, Lukaku swivels from his marker and runs in between the two central defenders. He beats them easily and is left unmarked as the ball arrives into the box from James. With one touch, he sidefoots it into an unguarded net.
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The verticality of Chelsea’s passing stands out in the first half-hour of the contest. It would be a common theme throughout the remainder of the game and the next. The team is easily able to bypass multiple opposition lines with a simple pass into Lukaku’s feet when he’s up top. Clever movement from the forwards creates space and angles for each pass. The striker, in turn, lays it off for his teammates with one or two touches.
Some characteristics of Lukaku’s game are also prevalent right from the start. The Belgian gets tight to his man on most occasions before separating himself from his marker. He frustrates Mari so much during the opening half-hour using the same action that the Spaniard eventually lunges in from behind for a cynical foul and earns a booking. Lukaku also shows a proclivity to immediately rush into the box after laying the ball off for a teammate. His goal arrives as a result of him combining the two aforementioned aspects. Moving on.
34′: In this passage of the play, Lukaku is stationed deep and away from his marker. The ball rolls into the Belgian’s feet, whose ever so slight touch lays it into the path of Mason Mount. The entire Arsenal defense has moved towards the left to deal with Chelsea’s build-up, and as a result, James is in space on the right. Mount picks James with a simple pass, and the wingback finishes with aplomb. Lukaku’s involvement in the middle of the play is, once again, crucial for the goal.
Lukaku did more than just trouble Mari by backing into him all night; he showed that he is not just a one-trick pony. Especially in the second half, one would often spot the forward drifting toward the right—an area of the pitch he became used to playing in for both Manchester United and Inter Milan. Moreover, as the game progresses, the 28-year-old receives the ball deeper and away from the defenders, this facet of his game would be even more prevalent in the draw against Liverpool a week later. Here are some examples of his fine work late on versus Arsenal in that regard.
57′ and 67′: In this instance, the Belgian receives the ball while moving toward the goal, positions his body well to lay it off for Mount the first time, setting the latter up perfectly for a shot. 10 minutes later, Lukaku has moved to the right flank, where he receives the ball, cuts inside and is brought down by Bukayo Saka, who receives a yellow card.
77′: Here, he receives the ball into his feet on the right side, plays it to James and instantly runs into the box. The ball reaches Mount, who lifts it towards Lukaku, whose subsequent header is saved—quite superbly—by Bernd Leno.
86′: Lukaku collects the pass high up the pitch, holds the play up well while facing the goal, allowing Havertz to make a run outside to his right. He plays the ball into Havertz’s feet, whose shot is saved by Leno.
Chelsea brushes Arsenal aside, and its new signing proves to be an immediate hit. He finishes the game with one goal, three key passes, a 95 percent pass completion rate and 43 total touches.