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Power ranking Chelsea’s five Ballon d’Or candidates

By Gabe Henderson

Chelsea's Italian midfielder Jorginho reacts after scoring his penalty in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Super Cup football match between Chelsea and Villarreal at Windsor Park in Belfast on August 11, 2021. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's Italian midfielder Jorginho reacts after scoring his penalty in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Super Cup football match between Chelsea and Villarreal at Windsor Park in Belfast on August 11, 2021. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 11: Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea FC celebrates scoring his teams first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 11: Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea FC celebrates scoring his teams first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

3. Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku is the odd man out on this list. He is the only one of the five included to not play for the Blues last season. Regardless, his contributions at Inter Milan last season more than make up for his lack of Champions League and Super League trophies. Lukaku led the line alongside Lautaro Martinez in Conte’s Internazionale side that won the Scudetto for the first time in a decade. The Belgian No. 9 is one of the best strikers in world football and his individual stats more than speak for themselves.

Lukaku scored 30 goals in all competitions, including 24 in 36 Serie A games. However, one of the biggest perks of playing in a striker partnership is the assist totals. The 28-year-old tacked on double digit assists throughout the year to bring his goal contribution total to 40 on the year under Conte. Although Tuchel has come under fire from critics—Conte included—early on for his usage of Lukaku, Chelsea’s club-record signing has still gotten off to a fast start in SW6. He’s played in nine games thus far and scored four goals. The best is yet to come, which is why Lukaku finds himself in a position to finish high in the Ballon d’Or voting.

Another thing that helps Lukaku’s cause is his performance for the Belgian National Team. Belgium was only able to make the quarterfinals of Euro 2020 (losing 2-1 to eventual champion Italy), but Lukaku had a stellar tournament. He scored four goals, which was the second-highest total of any individual at the tournament, only behind Patrik Schick and Cristiano Ronaldo. Lukaku has added another four international goals in three games since he joined the Blues, as well.

Overall, Lukaku is expected to finish pretty high on the list. Ballon d’Or voters absolutely love forwards and it’s difficult to find many others better than the Belgian.

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