Three possible replacements for Romelu Lukaku if he leaves Chelsea this season

After re-joining Chelsea after a great time in Serie A with Inter Milan, Romelu Lukaku might depart after just one year. Belgium’s all-time leading scorer entered with the intention of winning the league, but he fell short of expectations, scoring eight Premier League goals and 15 across all competitions.

In reality, his eight league goals put him joint-28th in the division, behind James Ward-Prowse, Emile Smith Rowe, and Chelsea teammate Mason Mount, and level with Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher, Leeds’ Jack Harrison, and West Ham’s Said Benrahma.

After Lukaku’s media interview with Sky Italia in which he indicated his interest in returning to Inter, the Belgian’s future at Chelsea is somewhat uncertain, with Kai Havertz favored through the center in the final stages of the season.

Expectations haven’t been reached, and the structure doesn’t appear to fit his abilities, thus a transfer away is on the cards barely a year after signing. According to many rumors, Lukaku’s most probable destination is a return to Inter, but it’s unclear when or when he’ll leave Chelsea for the second time.

Also Read: WATCH: A Senegalese football fan bursts into tears after meeting Sadio Mane

If Romelu Lukaku departs Stamford Bridge, who can possibly take his place?

Christopher Nkunku 

Christopher Nkunku, who has made a tremendous transition over the last year or so, maybe the ideal choice to replace Lukaku if he leaves. He was formerly a great creative midfielder, but he spent the whole 2021/22 season at RB Leipzig as a central striker.

Nkunku scored 35 goals in the Bundesliga, and a total of 55 goals in all competitions, by exploiting the space behind Bundesliga defenses.

He has, however, prospered in a role similar to that of Timo Werner at RB Leipzig, so acclimating to the Premier League may be an issue. His experience as a midfielder, though, might help him a lot because he doesn’t rely on space behind as much as Werner does.

Darwin Nunez

Darwin Nunez, like Nkunku, made a significant splash on the international scene during the 2021/22 season. The Uruguayan attacker had already impressed in Spain’s second-tier but had yet to show himself at the top level of the game until this season.

Nunez has shown his class among the finest in Europe this season, scoring six Champions League goals. He would arrive in excellent form, with 34 goals in all competitions, but there are still questions about his style of play.

Nunez is quick and powerful, but he lacks the close control and ball-handling abilities that Tuchel would certainly want, and it’s not something that can be taught.

Ousmane Dembele

Rather than signing a direct replacement for Lukaku, Chelsea may instead buy Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele as a free agent and shift Havertz to the number nine position full-time.

Dembele would inject much-needed creativity into a Chelsea team that lacks it, allowing Havertz to step in and fill the vacuum left by Lukaku. A long run in this position for the German, who has yet to totally convince since signing from Bayer Leverkusen, may be very beneficial.

Timo Werner is still a possibility, and if he can regain form alongside Havertz, Chelsea will have plenty of alternatives in the midfield.

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