Chelsea’s decision to allow Romelu Lukaku to depart on loan this summer has raised questions, particularly given the team’s struggles with scoring goals. The arrival of Mauricio Pochettino as the Blues’ manager at the start of the preseason didn’t result in a strong start, as the team currently sits in 11th place in the Premier League standings and has been facing a goal-scoring crisis.
With the exception of Manchester United, who have played one fewer game, Chelsea has scored fewer goals in the league this season than any other team. In their recent match against Brentford, Chelsea’s performance was lackluster, and they suffered a 2-0 defeat with goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Ethan Pinnock. Stamford Bridge witnessed a half-empty stadium as fans grew disheartened by the team’s performance.
Pochettino’s side has struggled to convert possession into clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities. While Chelsea did make significant investments in bringing in Nicolas Jackson, a striker from Villarreal, there is potential in players like Armando Broja. However, former Chelsea star Joe Cole believes that Chelsea had a capable replacement in Romelu Lukaku and voluntarily let him go.
Lukaku, who returned to Chelsea for his second stint only months ago, made it clear through a passionate interview that he still holds deep affection for his former club, Inter Milan. However, his time at Chelsea since his £97 million move in 2021 has not gone as planned, leading to his loan to Roma for the entire season.
Under Jose Mourinho’s guidance at Roma, Lukaku has found his goal-scoring form, netting eight goals in ten games. Joe Cole expresses his belief that Lukaku could have been more successful at Chelsea, questioning why he couldn’t replicate his goal-scoring prowess that he displayed at Inter Milan, Everton, and West Brom during his previous spells in the Premier League.
The issue, according to Cole, goes beyond just Lukaku’s performance. Chelsea’s goal-scoring problems reflect broader issues with the team’s balance and organization, which need to be addressed to improve their offensive capabilities.
As the January transfer window approaches, rumors are already circulating about potential transfers, with Chelsea being linked to moves for players like Victor Osimhen of Napoli and Ivan Toney. It remains to be seen whether Pochettino will invest further in reshaping the team’s offensive strategy and addressing the goal-scoring woes that have plagued Chelsea this season.
