Lukaku set to STAY at Chelsea as Mourinho assures young striker he will get his chance



Romelu Lukaku will launch his Chelsea career in earnest next season after holding talks with Jose Mourinho and deciding against another loan spell.

The Chelsea striker was in demand at home and abroad after making his mark for West Brom during a year-long loan last season.

But he declared himself ready to challenge for a place in Chelsea's starting line-up after Mourinho assured him he will be given opportunities to prove himself at Stamford Bridge.

Staying put? Romelu Lukaku (left) is set to remain at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea have been linked with strikers Hulk and Edinson Cavani since Mourinho's appointment, but Lukaku insisted he was ready for the challenge.

'I always said my ambition was to play for Chelsea, and now I will go back to Stamford Bridge and try and play even more games than I did at West Brom,' he said, after Belgium's 2-1 win over Serbia last night. 'If I can score a few early on, it can turn into a really good season for me.

Party time: Eden Hazard and Lukaku celebrate Belgium's victory over Serbia in Brussels

Party time: Eden Hazard and Lukaku celebrate Belgium's victory over Serbia in Brussels

'I have had a good conversation with Jose Mourinho, and I know it's up to me to show I'm worth a place. It is the World Cup next year, and I need to be playing. But if I don't get in the Chelsea team often enough, then I won't deserve to be in the national squad.

'I am not afraid of that. I am determined to succeed with Chelsea next season. I want to prove myself. People will compare me with Didier Drogba, and he was always my hero. But I am my own man, and I want to be known for what I do.'