Havertz embarrassed Lukaku in Chelsea's Arsenal defeat
Robin Bairner
- 21 Apr 2022 10:53 BST
- 3 min read
Romelu Lukaku’s return to Chelsea continues to go badly, with the striker’s role in Wednesday’s 4-2 loss to Arsenal coming under fire.
Lukaku was handed a start against the Gunners, which was his first in the Premier League since his infamous performance against Crystal Palace, in which he touched the ball a record low number of times.
In midweek, he fared little better. Although he was involved in more of the game, his influence remained minimal and he was withdrawn after an hour for Kai Havertz.
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Lukaku's limp Arsenal display
Although the German was not signed by the club as a centre-forward, it is a role he has played in recent times due to Lukaku’s poor performance. In just half an hour on the field, he managed almost as many touches as the former Inter striker had mustered in twice as long and looked far brighter
It was a fact not lost on former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
"Lukaku does not do enough,” the former Netherlands hitman told Sky Sports. “If you want to be the man, you have to run. You need to try and show that you are upset. You need to want to suffer.
He doesn't run, he doesn't stand out, he doesn't ask his team-mates for the ball.
- Hasselbaink on Lukaku“He doesn't run, he doesn't stand out, he doesn't ask his team-mates for the ball.
“Lukaku, you have not had the best match to show that you are the man and that you want to be. Go and show that desire that I don't see. He was very poor. I really want him to do well, this team needs a '9'. Then you see Havertz come in, go into space, want the ball, run everywhere... It doesn't all work out for him but he tries. I don't see that in Lukaku.”
It is a damning assessment of Lukaku, who was made the club’s record signing last August when he arrived for around €115 million from Inter. He is, after all, being shown up by a 22-year-old with little experience of his specialised position.
Big Rom not alone
Hasselbaink, though, said it was not just the striker who was the problem, pointing out Andreas Christensen, who has signed for Barcelona on a pre-contract agreement, and Malang Sarr.
“There was no passion in Lukaku, Sarr or Christensen, you can't make those mistakes in this kind of games,” he added. “I know they can't be first anymore, but you have to play for your pride.”
Lukaku’s future at Chelsea is uncertain, having admitted over the festive period in an explosive interview that he wished he hadn’t left Inter.
