Apparently Chelsea were even busier on the Transfer deadline day than we even we previously thought. After securing the services of Spanish hitman Fernando Torres and young, promising center-back David Luiz, the Blues apparently went after 17-year-old teen sensation Romelu Lukaku but failed. Anderlecht’s GM, Herman van Holsbeeck, revealed the story that an offer was on the table for the club’s most prized possession but he claimed the club will try to hold onto him for one to two more seasons. Let’s hear it, van Holsbeeck.
“Chelsea wanted him this winter, but after consultation with his agent, we decided to decline the offer from the Blues,” Van Holsbeeck said. “He is not ready yet, and we still want to hold on to him for one to two seasons. His price? €30 million.”
“In the summer? Anything is possible but there is nothing definite yet. He is very young, so he might decide to stay for a while yet.”
Normally, a €30 million price tag for a 17-year-old would be laughed at even by Manchester City (who supposedly went after the striker, too, but this was denied by Van Holsbeeck). However, with the influx of over-valuated players (cough, cough, Andy Carroll) and top club’s willingness to lay down serious amounts of dough, the price tag could easily be met in the summer now that the price is defined for Lukaku. The 17-year-old Belgian international has frighteningly amazing credentials given his age. 33 goals and 10 assists in 76 appearances for the Belgian club. Already 8 appearances for the Belgian national team. He’s already been compared to Didier Drogba, his supposed idol, and for good reason. He has the same style of play (powerful, ruthless, clinical, good in the air) and the same build as Drogba. Perhaps Chelsea had this in mind with the bid.
The Blues are one of the older squads in the EPL and the age has begun to show specifically in this campaign. Carlo Ancelotti’s boys sit 10 points off the pace at the beginning of February. The addition of two players (Luiz and Torres) about to be or in their prime makes perfect sense. Roman Abramovich is not ready to give up his empire sitting down and taking a carbon-copy of Drogba makes perfect sense, especially if rumors are true that the Ivorian international wants to show himself the door in a year or two. It may be time to build this squad for the future again with some key veteran presence still available to the team (see Terry, Cech, and Lampard). Perhaps it is time to think of a complete reshuffle of the squad. Lukaku and Torres partnering may be a drastic revival for the “struggling” team. I’m ready to pack my soccer backpack for next season to Stamford Bridge. I’m thinking we’re going to see a pretty different squad come 9 months time.
