How Lukaku is proving to be the perfect replacement for old boy Didier

It's strange that Chelsea have spent so much time trying to force a clearly 'broken' striker in to being the replacement for Didier Drogba when the real solution lies close at hand.

Or at least, did, until he was shipped off to The Hawthorns at the start of the season - a destination he has taken to fondly.



De jure, Fernando Torres is the Ivorian target man's successor. But de facto? The only option is Romelu Lukaku.

Top form: Romelu Lukaku has put in some superb displays for West Brom this season

Demba Ba, brought to the club for £7million, is the man who could rescue Chelsea's season. And at close to 28, has at least three years left in him at the top.

For the long-term though, it is the 19-year-old Belgian who idolises Drogba and arrived at his dream club for close to £20m last season that should be terrorising Premier League defences in a blue shirt for years to come.

Lukaku is clearly benefiting from getting time on the pitch under Steve Clarke at West Bromwich Albion. He has nine goals in 22 games this season, with only 10 of those being starts.

The striker who scored twice, hit the woodwork twice and had a goal disallowed goal on Saturday against Reading (and still ended up on the losing side) is a considerable improvement on the frustrated figure he cut during rare outings at Stamford Bridge last year.



When he walked off the field at full time on Saturday, his minutes per goal rate was almost as good as Robin van Persie's - 104.33 to the Dutchman's 104.13.



It's no surprise that Lukaku is flourishing now he gets to play - young players need to play to develop. Look at how Josh McEachran is coming along at Middlesbrough. And Nathaniel Chalobah at Watford.

The one youth player Chelsea have brought through recently is Ryan Bertrand. That he is able to fit seamlessly in to the squad comes from playing over 100 games in the Football League, at teams like Norwich and Reading.

Links: Didier Drogba and Lukaku are similar in build and style, with the latter idolising the former



Lukaku v Drogba: The Belgian shows he is a match for the Drogba we saw last year

Statistics Lukaku Drogba Appearances 20 24 Minutes on pitch 939 1480 Goals 9 5 Mins per goal 104 296 Shooting accuracy 67% 41% Chance conversion 25% 10% Assists 1 1 Chances created 14 30 Pass completion 69% 63% Dribble completion 44% 36%

Being behind club legend Drogba, misfit £50m man Torres and the versatile Daniel Sturridge meant Lukaku only featured in 12 games for Chelsea last year, starting four - with just one of those in the Premier League.



Although this season at West Brom early on he was forced to start from the bench a lot, whenever he was given the chance he caused havoc and now is a regular starter.

Lukaku's sheer size and athleticism mean even on an off day he can still give defenders a headache and with each passing match he becomes more aware of what is required of him at this level.

He needs to become more clinical, but Albion know that when he plays, he will always force openings - for himself or for his team-mates.

Premier League defences - particularly Arsenal's - were delighted to see the back of Drogba but Lukaku is a player in his mould with a decade ahead of him.

He is already a fans' favourite at West Brom - they sing gleefully: 'He comes from Stamford Bridge, he's bigger than a fridge.'



Clarke hailed Albion's new hero. He enthused: 'The more he plays, the better he will get. He’s only 19, don’t forget.

Best years ahead of him: Incredibly Lukaku is only 19 years old

'As he plays and improves and works on his game on the training pitch the only thing he can do is improve and that’s a frightening thought for defenders, I’d imagine.

'He understands what he wants to do and where he wants to be and he knows he’s got to work hard to get there.

'All those ingredients and lots of talent mean he’s a dream for a coach.'

Lukaku's attitude is impressive as well - he requested to stay at West Bromwich until the end of the season because he knows he will be afforded more chances there than at Chelsea. And his latest suggestion is to stay at The Hawthorns until the end of NEXT season.

He said: 'At this time I'm just looking at my own career and West Brom, I don't really care about what Chelsea are doing at the moment.'



'Hopefully, I'll be here for the next two years. It will be very important to play and have a good squad. We have a manager who is very good, we've very good players that can help him every day and hopefully, if I continue like this, I will get more regular football.

Head over heels: Lukaku is loving his time at West Brom and wanted to extend his loan

'I think it will be more beneficial to stay here than go back to Chelsea. There are not talks about it yet, but we will see; hopefully after the January window we will be able to start talking about that.'

'At the end of my career, if I have had a chance at a really top team I think I will be a very happy man. We will see if I get that chance at Chelsea.'



Blues interim manager Rafael Benitez had the opportunity to bring him back in January but decided to let him continue his development in the Midlands.

This left Albion and their fans delighted but you get the feeling that Chelsea's new boss next season, whoever it may be, will not be quite so willing to permit such a talent to operate elsewhere.

So although Lukaku wants to stay at West Brom for two years, he may find his services required at a 'top team' sooner than he thinks.

However, if Lukaku is kept in west London next year and not given the opportunity to shine, he will be itching for a move elsewhere.