Diego Costa was superb at times for Chelsea last season, scoring 20 goals as the Blues triumph to win the Premier League title. Antonio Conte has ruled out former Atletico Madrid forward out of his plans for next season, rumors of a massive bid for Belgian and former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku were almost inevitable. Lukaku looks certain to leave Goodison this summer and could re-sign for his former side Chelsea in a deal that could set the Blues back up to £100m, and in honor of his possible return, here's a look at 6 reasons why the Belgian would be an upgrade on Diego Costa, should he sign.
1. He’s Broken a Host of Goalscoring Records at Everton Since moving to Meresyde to joinEverton, Lukaku has been the Toffies’ top goalscorer for three consecutive seasons. He recently became their top scorer in the Premier League era and has broken the record for goals scored by a Toffies player in the Premier League in a single season twice. Lukaku has joined an elite group amongst the likes of Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Robbie Fowler, all of whom have bagged over 80 league goals before their 24th birthday.
2. At Just 24, His Best Years Are Still Ahead of Him Given how familiar we’ve become with Lukaku, it's easy to forget just how young he is. The Belgian won the Belgian First Division A golden boot in his first full season as a pro at the tender age of just 16. He bagged 15 times as Anderlecht charged to a league win 2009/10 and since his move to Chelsea and subsequent spells at West Brom and Everton, he has scored a staggering 85 goals in 186 appearances. At 28, Costa will soon be past his. peak, whilst Lukaku still has so much more to offer.
3. He Outscored Diego Costa Last Season Without World Class Service Lukaku was unplayable at times last season as he racked up 25 Premier League goals to Costa’s 20, with Costa just edging Lukaku with 7 assists to the Belgian’s 6. But Lukaku’s achievement is even more impressive given the fact that unlike Costa, the 24-year-old couldn’t rely on stellar service from the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard. Last season, Lukaku used his physicality and determination to dig out chances for himself on many occasions, without the deluge of chances Antonio Conte’s dynamic side presented to the Spaniard.
4. He Idolises Chelsea Legend & ‘Big Brother’ Didier Drogba Lukaku and Chelsea legend Didier Drogba is known to be close, with Drogba frequently teasing Blues fans about the possibility of a Stamford Bridge return for the former Anderlecht striker. Chelsea fans will be hoping Lukaku can emulate Drogba’s unerring record on the big occasions, scoring in four FA Cup finals as well as netting both the equalizer and the deciding penalty in Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich. Speaking to Sky Sports last month, Drogba said: "He knows the house already and I think he wants to prove he can be successful here, he didn’t get the chance to do it. Chelsea is his club since he was young, so why not? "I think he’s my little brother. He’s a really good guy. He’s a very good player, but also a great man."
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5. Lukaku Badly Wants to Succeed at Chelsea Despite rumors that former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is interested in the Belgian, reports suggesting that Lukaku feels he has unfinished business in West London. After signing for Everton three years ago, Lukaku told Sports Voetbal via the Express: "I will always be a fan of that club. It's not because I left in the wrong circumstances, that feeling disappears. But a footballer wants to play." Should Chelsea sign Lukaku, the former West Brom loanee will finally be guaranteed the responsibility to lead the line. Antonio Conte is reportedly demanding that the Blues cough up whatever it.
6. Fewer Controversies, On and Off the Pitch Chelsea fans fell in love with ‘The Guv’nor’ Diego Costa partly because of his reputation as a hardman and as a constant nuisance to opposition defenses, but in truth, Costa’s combustive nature has often been an unnecessary distraction. Though the former Atletico Madrid man dramatically cleaned up his act last season, he was dropped for Chelsea’s 3-0 away win against Leicester in January following a bust-up with Antonio Conte. Further mid-game squabbles including a row with Spain teammate Pedro during Chelsea’s trip to White Hart Lane in the league seemed symptomatic of underlying tensions, and Lukaku’s humble attitude may be something of a relief at the Bridge.
HERE ARE 6 REASONS WHY LUKAKU IS A PERFECT REPLACEMENT FOR COSTA
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