Can we keep £90m Lukaku on the bench?

Even when his form dips he brings more to the side than Lukaku with his runs to stretch the play and his willingness to take on players

Disrespectful to Lukaku. He deserves a chance if Rashford form dips.
 
No we don't. Lingard did very little offensively as a false 9, his role there was a defensive one. If you want goals you don't play Lingard up top but rather Lukaku who has a superb record.

Defensive because we played vs Spurs, and the wingers were supposed to get the goals.
Had that been vs one of the 4 previous PL games under Ole, Lingard would have been on the right, and Rashford central. So in the Scenario where Rash is injured, Lingard goes back to the right, Martial/Sanchez playes 11 and 9.

I never said we should get rid of Lukaku, but we do have options.
 
No, sign a RW, we have enough options upfront.
Completely disagree. Fergie used to have four strikers, yea?
Sanchez and Martial can play there, Lingard worked as false 9, or whatever it's called, vs Spurs.
We got other options.
Sanchez has not shown that he's more effective than Lukaku. I want him to come good but it's been night and day between the two. Martial is our starting LW, so moving him into the middle isn't really a solution if we want to keep our shape at all.

A slight twist to it all.

If and when Rashford's form dips, do we put Lukaku back into the starting X1 with the guarantee that we will get some goals from him but potentially become a stumbling block to the football we wish to play?

In the event that Sanchez doesn't turn up again to the required level, do we then just persist with Lukaku for the goals he will provide or do we look to the young boys for a potential new Rashford?

I don't see how theres evidence to support that this would happen. An out of form Lukaku yes, but look at his assists and goals from last year and only Pogba had more assist than Lukaku.
If we hold the same shape with Lingard and Martial pushing forward (along with Pogba) and Lukaku drifting into the box we would still be very effective in my opinion. Also, he's proven to be very capable of putting in a key pass to a speedy Lingard, Martial or whomever may be roaming in (Pogba or as we are all hoping Sanchez).

I’ve heard similar, but I was extremely disappointed by his attitude when he came on against spurs. He’s lost his place to a teenager and gets brought on in a massively important game after an hour, and can’t be bothered to run and close down defenders. So frustrating. Ideally you want him working his bollocks off to win his place back, but I couldn’t help feel he was sulking a bit, or was generally uninterested in trying to impress the manager. He’s also started the season in generally bad shape, and doesn’t seem capable of running hard for a full ninety in comparison to our other players. So from what I’ve seen this season it feels like this alleged brilliant work ethic has deserted him.
I wouldn't judge him by that. Out of form, and also chances are Ole told him to not press high and drift back incase they counter. Under Jose his defense has improved immensely and he's been very capable of defending on another teams counter.


In other words, I think Lukaku isn't as one dimensional and useless as many are making him out to be. He needs to get healthy and he needs to get on board with whats going on. I don't think Ole has written him off yet, especially as a plan B for when we hit a wall against certain teams. If A isn't working, Lukaku brings a completely different threat up top. I think he would be most effective with a Martial or Rashford right next to him in a 4-4-2 (Diamond with Pogba underneath them. I think Lingard could work on the right side of that midfield, with Herrera on the left or lets pray Fred comes good.

Other option is a 4-1-3-2

Lukaku-Martial
Herrera-Pogba-Lingard (if Rashford is resting)
Matic in the hole.

In other words, he's an option in attack and I don't think we are chock full of attackers like people think.


If Lukaku is to be moved on, I would love to give Atletico cash plus Lukaku for Greizman to link up with Pogba. I think that's far fetched but I think he would fit in well there. Otherwise like others said, many premier league teams would jump on him (not top six), but I also think he would do well in Italy as others have said.
 
Wisest thing to do is ship out both lukaku and Sanchez( if he doesn’t recover form) and reinvest the proceeds. Lukaku cost too much to be a bench player.
 
Luke,u is doing just fine... it is Sanchez we should worry about. Wonder why so many of the cafe prefer Sanchez... just cos of his Arse days??

I think
Ukaku will love playing for Ole and slot in alongside Rashford and Martial once he is a few more weeks matchfit.
Because first , we have seen how good he can be , at least technically much better than Lukaku which would suit a fluid side more. Second , we can't get rid of Sanchez , who is going to buy an overpaid finished 30 years old striker ? Meanwhile Lukaku is 25 , He will still attract interest from many clubs.
 
Why 90m in the title? He's significantly below average quality in our forward players. Of course he plays off the bench.
 
Wisest thing to do is ship out both lukaku and Sanchez( if he doesn’t recover form) and reinvest the proceeds. Lukaku cost too much to be a bench player.
To ship them out means finding someone that will pay their wages. On current form who is going to do that?
 
Of course we can and we should too. We should always give our players game time on merit not on the transfer fees. Maybe harsh but he doesn't really belong to a club of this stature. We should cut our losses asap imo.

He's too ambitious for that. Either he starts frequently or he'll find another club.

Hopefully the latter.

He'll leave in summer when he comes to conclusion he's on the bench because he sucks and has dropped to second option in his place.

Fingers crossed.
 
I thought we paid 75 million plus add ons? Personally I would sell him and give his squad rotation place to Greenwood
 
Of course you can put him on the bench or even decide he's not selected in the match day squad.

The bigger question is - is he happy to be a bit part player for periods of the season or longer term. This could spark one of two responses.
Firstly he ups his effort and game. Challenge does that for some. This would be great for the club as healthily competition improves players.
Secondly he could hide or look for a way out. If he leaves to look for first team football long term then I guess you can't blame him but if it's soon then you question his mentality.
As a player in yet to be convinced he's a top player but as a man I quite like him.
Read this (something he wrote before the world cup) and you'll see a different side of him.

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/romelu-lukaku-ive-got-some-things-to-say
 
Of course we can and we should too. We should always give our players game time on merit not on the transfer fees. Maybe harsh but he doesn't really belong to a club of this stature. We should cut our losses asap imo.



Hopefully the latter.



Fingers crossed.

I wouldn't be crossing my fingers if I were you unless we have better players to bring in.

If Rashford is indeed staking a claim for that middle spot I hope we don't end up like Spurs who struggle to sign another decent centre forward as they know they will play second fiddle to Kane.
I'm not not saying we shouldn't look to replace if he doesn't work out or indeed spurs and us are equitable. What I'm saying is that I would rather make a judgement on him based on how he copes to the challenge Rashford and Ole have given him which is "you are not currently the best we have up top - show us what you can do when you do get the chance."
 
Defensive because we played vs Spurs, and the wingers were supposed to get the goals.
Had that been vs one of the 4 previous PL games under Ole, Lingard would have been on the right, and Rashford central. So in the Scenario where Rash is injured, Lingard goes back to the right, Martial/Sanchez playes 11 and 9.

I never said we should get rid of Lukaku, but we do have options.

Just for argument Ole has demonstrated 2 separate version of 433, 1 against minor clubs, 1 against big boys. Against small clubs, why can't Lukaku plays in centre with Rash/Ling on the right? This is assuming Rashford has a dip in form or need to rest? Against big boys, why can't Lukaku plays on the right replacing Rashford? Again, assuming Rashford dip in form or resting. Lukaku would probably be less effective than Rashford as a RHS striker but he should be able to do a similar job. As a central striker Lukaku should be better for his hold up play. Once again I can't see the logic of exclusive-or, that we must get rid of Lukaku. Just because Martial's form is better than Sanchez and Rashford better than Lukaku, do not mean we must sell the other 2, although the age of Sanchez does mean we can't afford to wait and see too long.
 
If Lukaku was in the form when he was in Everton, I would say ‘please stay’ because he, at least, could do better in counter-attack. But obviously he doesn’t see his fatty body as a problem, he is very satisfied with his performance; just like what Ole said in the press conference “I want players to be confident but not complacent and take their foot off the pedal because that’s a big difference for me”, so let him go.
 
Why 90m in the title? He's significantly below average quality in our forward players. Of course he plays off the bench.
Think because that figure amounts to the total money we are to pay for him including add-ons, of course if he activates those additional clauses .
 
Think the more important question is how are we to recuperate the money invested in him? There's no way in hell he'll be happy to be a bench warmer considering his status in Belgium NT and his scoring record, and I also don't see the way in which he is to sideline Rashford out of the first team for any significant period of time considering his shortcomings.
 
Why not? Whoever is in form should play. Rashford isnt Ronaldo to play every game regardless of how he's doing so Lukaku will get enough chances to reclaim the starting berth. If he doesnt want to fight it out, he can leave.
 
We need to bring the youth through whilst Lukaku is still here. The youth could learn how to peel away from the last man and how to barge them out of the way as he does have pace and a lot of strength. As long as the youth have a good first touch and quick shooters, they can get the knack from watching RL in training and bring into their game. Regardless of the price, unless his own form comes up to scratch, he will stay on the bench ad there is no other option.

He knows his weaknesses as OGS will have pointed them out on several occasions, I dare say, so if he doesn't put the extra work in and sort himself out, then he will keep starting on the bench. Surely then, he will be "forced" to request a transfer and only then will we see what other teams value him at.
 
I’ve heard similar, but I was extremely disappointed by his attitude when he came on against spurs. He’s lost his place to a teenager and gets brought on in a massively important game after an hour, and can’t be bothered to run and close down defenders. So frustrating. Ideally you want him working his bollocks off to win his place back, but I couldn’t help feel he was sulking a bit, or was generally uninterested in trying to impress the manager. He’s also started the season in generally bad shape, and doesn’t seem capable of running hard for a full ninety in comparison to our other players. So from what I’ve seen this season it feels like this alleged brilliant work ethic has deserted him.

Completly agree. If he was so dedicated, we wouldn't have a £75m out of shape striker.

They currently are playing Mbappe and Cavani upfront in most games. Cavani will need replacing with someone.

PSG aren't going to buy Lukuku, they can get any striker in the world - not a chance he's going somewhere like PSG. West Ham, back to Everton are more likely options.
 
Why not? Whoever is in form should play. Rashford isnt Ronaldo to play every game regardless of how he's doing so Lukaku will get enough chances to reclaim the starting berth. If he doesnt want to fight it out, he can leave.

But with the way we're playing now (assuming we're to stick with Ole or get someone else who's also playing attacking football) with the front 3 freely interchanging and whomever is acting as #9 at that moment being involved heavily in build-up or opening spaces for others to run into, can you really see Lukaku replacing Rashford/Martial in the #9 role for any significant period of time?
 
Lukaku has been described as an extremley dedicated professional by every manager he's worked under since he was a child and his efforts to improve himself have similarly been spoken about in glowing terms by those who have worked with him. Why you've randomly decided that this isn't the case, I have no idea.

You can be dedicated as hell and still be a limited footballer. Hell, you can be dedicated and still be an utterly shite footballer. Quality and effort don't necessarily follow on from each other.
I wonder if it is just a confidence thing?, if it is, he HAS to give himself a shake and get himself back into the starting line contention. I hope he has the desire to WANT to be the main striker but I also hope has done a lot of work on his 1st touch!!
 
Sell him and bring back chicha :devil:
 
But with the way we're playing now (assuming we're to stick with Ole or get someone else who's also playing attacking football) with the front 3 freely interchanging and whomever is acting as #9 at that moment being involved heavily in build-up or opening spaces for others to run into, can you really see Lukaku replacing Rashford/Martial in the #9 role for any significant period of time?
Yes, touch aside, Lukaku is capable of doing all these things to a good level. Also as I said, Rashford is hardly Ronaldo who is so good that you carry him when off form. There will be times when Rashford will go off the boil and it's upto Lukaku to do well then.

In any case, I think Ole will suit Lukaku. The way Mourinho used him was atrocious. Lukaku will do much better under Ole with the ball on the ground.
 
PSG aren't going to buy Lukuku, they can get any striker in the world - not a chance he's going somewhere like PSG. West Ham, back to Everton are more likely options.

:lol:

I know he’s hardly flavour of the month right now, but come on, as if Lukaku would sign for West Ham.
 
They currently are playing Mbappe and Cavani upfront in most games. Cavani will need replacing with someone.
Cavani has a couple of decent years in him yet, by then they can switch to using 1 striker, buy someone who is good in the air like Icardi, or another promising young striker might emerge.

There’s no pressing reason for them to buy Lukaku, especially if their priority is Europe.
 
We can and we should. I wonder if Lukaku will be happy to stay as a reserve though. I don't mind us selling him to Chelsea for the same fee we bought him and then add someone else who is willing to be a reserve. Maybe 50m + Morata could do.
 
Yes, touch aside, Lukaku is capable of doing all these things to a good level. Also as I said, Rashford is hardly Ronaldo who is so good that you carry him when off form. There will be times when Rashford will go off the boil and it's upto Lukaku to do well then.

In any case, I think Ole will suit Lukaku. The way Mourinho used him was atrocious. Lukaku will do much better under Ole with the ball on the ground.

Yeah but the touch is a big, big part of the way we're currently playing. Can he do his part in this team? Yes, but I just don't see him replacing Rashford in this team for any significant period of time. He just doesn't offer as much in the build-up part as Rashford does.
 
Performance and fitness is what makes you a part of the lineup or not! Lukaku gained weight, got slow and lazy when he knew he was gonna start anyways. But it's 2019 and the manager is Ole, now you need to perform and be fit in order to start games!

75m or 90m doesn't matter anymore :)
 
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Think if Lukaku can’t force himself into the starting 11 come the summer he might try and get a move.

Oddly I could see Madrid signing him. Don’t know why - just a hunch.

White handkerchief producers love this idea.
 
NO, I really don't think we can keep him on the bench. He will soon want to find another club, he is a prolific goal scorer but he does not suit the fast open football that we play.
 
I believe we should play 2 up top and all of our 4 strikers will see plenty of game time that way, with great support up front and lukaku certainly is useful that way.
 
I agree with the consensus that Lukaku will look to leave if he isn’t being played. Which would be fair enough from his point of view. He wants to play football. I don’t think it makes much sense to have such an expensive player (both in terms of wages and transfer fee) sitting on the bench either.

It (sort of) rests on how good Rashford is/becomes. If Rashford doesn’t quite cut it then reinvesting Lukaku’s money and wages on a top striker that is one of the world’s best would probably be the wise thing to do.
 
I agree with the consensus that Lukaku will look to leave if he isn’t being played. Which would be fair enough from his point of view. He wants to play football. I don’t think it makes much sense to have such an expensive player (both in terms of wages and transfer fee) sitting on the bench either.

It (sort of) rests on how good Rashford is/becomes. If Rashford doesn’t quite cut it then reinvesting Lukaku’s money and wages on a top striker that is one of the world’s best would probably be the wise thing to do.

I don't think a top striker except kane exists in current climate with age on his side. We have got to find better ways to use our assets to full potential.
 
If we can recoup upwards of £50m for him we should be selling him anyway.

I think there are definitely a few clubs stupid enough to offer us that for him.