How Lukaku’s Chelsea fallout could send Kane to Man City
Robin Bairner
- 3 Jan 2022 18:25 GMT
- 3 min read
Romelu Lukaku’s spectacular fallout with Chelsea promises to have far-reaching consequences.
The Belgium international gave a spectacular interview in Italy, in which he criticised Blues boss Thomas Tuchel and indicated that he wished he had never left Inter.
Lukaku was subsequently dropped for Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool, not even making the bench for a spectacular encounter in which the Stamford Bridge side came from two down to snatch a precious point.
Exactly how the Blues cope with the issue is unclear, but what it does mean is that Lukaku’s position under Tuchel is on a dreadful foundation.
Unsurprisingly, there have been suggestions that Lukaku could be on his way from Stamford Bridge – but where could he go?
How Kane could fuel Lukaku departure
One suggestion that has been aired is that he could make a shock move to Tottenham. Lukaku thrived under Antonio Conte last season and reportedly has a desire to work under the Italian again.
Spurs may not immediately be able to afford such a deal, but it could provide an answer to the thorny question of Harry Kane’s future.
The England captain was involved in a dramatic tug of war with the club over the summer months after indicating that he wanted to leave the club because of their inability to compete on the greatest stage.
Conte’s arrival may have changed his stance to some degree, but there is no guarantee that Spurs will reach the Champions League next season. As such, there are still questions to be answered over Kane’s future, especially as Manchester City, who were his primary suitors in the summer, continue to boast only Gabriel Jesus as a genuine centre forward.
When Tottenham rejected big money for Kane in the summer, there was no prospect of signing a No.9 of similar quality, yet Lukaku’s outburst means that a door has been opened that could allow a world-class forward to move to the London club.
Nevertheless, the chances of this happening remain slim.
Why Lukaku is unlikely to leave
With Manchester City apparently rolling towards the Premier League title, there is little urgency on their part to make a big addition to their squad in January, while allowing Kane to depart would be a risky move on Spurs’ part. Owner Daniel Levy is not typically one for taking such gambles.
Lukaku himself is unlikely to be offloaded by Chelsea, despite the harshness of his words. It would be embarrassing for the Stamford Bridge club to have signed him for such an astronomical fee only to let him go months later.
Lukaku allowing Man City to sign Kane, then, is an interesting rumour, but one that is unlikely to carry much substance.
