Chelsea’s record signing Lukaku ready to face Arsenal

In this file photograph taken on April 18, 2021, Inter Milan’s Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku warms up prior to the Italian Serie A match against between Napoli at The Diego Maradona (San Paolo) Stadium in Naples. (AFP)

Romelu Lukaku is in line to make his second Chelsea debut against Arsenal on Sunday after the club record signing revealed he has been given the number nine shirt. Belgium striker Lukaku rejoined Chelsea in a £98 million ($135 million) move from Inter Milan last week. The 28-year-old missed Chelsea’s win over Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener on Saturday while he quarantined. But Lukaku trained with his new teammates on Wednesday in front of Chelsea fans during an open session at Stamford Bridge. He is in contention to feature in the London derby at the Emirates Stadium this weekend. Asked if he could face Arsenal, Lukaku told reporters: “Yeah, I’ve done a full pre-season. For now, I just want to get to know my teammates better. “Then at the end of the day I’m available for the manager if he wants to play me.” The number nine shirt at Chelsea has been something of a poisoned chalice in recent years, with Gonzalo Higuain, Fernando Torres, Alvaro Morata and Radamel Falcao all enduring long goal droughts while wearing the jersey. But Lukaku jumped at the chance to take the number after the jersey was vacated when Tammy Abraham joined Roma earlier this week. “Yes, I have the number nine. I am happy and fortunate to be in this situation,” he said. “The dream is reality so I have to prove on the pitch. It’s time to get to work and let my performances do the talking.” Lukaku spent three years at Chelsea between 2011 and 2014, but rarely featured before being sold to Everton. Now, almost 10 years after arriving in west London as an unknown teenager, Lukaku has returned as one of the world’s top strikers. His superb form, including 27 goals and 11 assists, helped Inter win Serie A last season. – ‘Higher standards’ – Despite his star turn at Inter, Lukaku still has some doubters in England following some lethargic displays during a two-year stay at Manchester United that ended acrimoniously in 2019. Lukaku insists he is a different character after his transformative time in Italy. “Maturity has been important. I think I’ve learned much more about myself, setting higher standards,” he said. “As a player, it’s about becoming more complete. In Italy, the game is different, there are tighter spaces, it’s more technical and tactical, which helped me a lot. “The English game is different but for me it’s not something new. Whatever plan the coach has, I can adapt myself and help the team. “I’m one of the players who likes to connect everybody and make everyone feel comfortable and give them confidence.” Lukaku’s revival has been aided by advice from Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba. “He kept it really simple, to be honest. He was really happy with the improvements I’ve made in the last couple of seasons but said there is always work to be done,” Lukaku said. “I think that’s the right mindset. I really want to achieve the maximum as a football player, it’s all about improving week in, week out. “I think the last two years have been great for myself, both at club and international level. “Now I get the chance to join a team that’s very hungry and ambitious and I can’t wait to add something new to their playing style.” Although Chelsea won the Champions League last season, they struggled for goals at times as Timo Werner flopped on his debut season with the Blues. Lukaku is confident he can fill any role required by Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel and he expects to hit the ground running. “It’s a good feeling. The guys are hungry, they want to keep winning, I can see from the last couple of training sessions that there is a good intensity,” he said. “The coach is very clear with his ideas, everybody wants to work hard and keep improving. Those things really fit with my ambitions.” Batshuayi hails Besiktas move as an ‘incredible opportunity’ Michy Batshuayi’s spell at Chelsea added another chapter yesterday when he announced he had signed a season-long loan at Turkish side Besiktas. The 27-year-old Belgium striker hailed it as an “incredible opportunity” at the fourth club he has been loaned out to since signing for Chelsea in 2016 from Marseille for a reported £33 million ($45 million). Batshuayi’s chances of getting more first team football this season at Stamford Bridge dimmed when they signed his compatriot Lukaku from Italian champions Inter Milan last week. He did though extend his contract at Chelsea to 2023 before he left for Turkey. “Very, very happy to join Besiktas,” he tweeted. “An incredible opportunity for me and I’m already looking to play. “Thank you to all the fans for the crazy welcome at Istanbul. “See you at the stadium very soon.” Previously Batshuayi has been loaned out to German side Borussia Dortmund, Spanish outfit Valencia and then two spells at Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Crystal Palace. Arsenal set to sign Real Madrid’s Odegaard: reports Arsenal are on the verge of a permanent deal for Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard, according to reports yesterday. Odegaard joined Arsenal on loan for the second half of last season after failing to break into the Real Madrid team. The 22-year-old scored just two goals in 20 appearances for the Premier League club, but impressed Gunners boss Mikel Arteta with his composed performances. Odegaard was hoping to get a chance under new Real manager Carlo Ancelotti this season, but Arsenal look set to bring the Norway international back to the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have reportedly agreed a fee in the region of £30 million ($41 million) for the Norway international. Odegaard joined Real as a highly-rated 16-year-old from Stromsgodset in 2015. But he has never established himself in Madrid, spending two seasons on loan at Heerenveen before temporary stints with Vitesse Arnhem, Real Sociedad and Arsenal. Arteta has already signed Ben White, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga since the end of last season. But Arsenal opened the Premier League season with a woeful 2-0 loss at promoted Brentford on Friday.