Romelu Lukaku: Arsenal to Sign 16-Year-Old ‘New Drogba’ Scoring Sensation in January
The Premier League’s big guns have all been reportedly monitoring the form of one of Europe’s brightest young starlets Romelu Lukaku. The 16-year-old striker has broken into Belgian giants Anderlecht’s first team despite his tender years. His form and goal scoring record have made him one of the most sought after youngsters in world football with Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Man City, AC Milan and Real Madrid all having been linked to the Belgian. However, it’s the Gunners who are stepping up their interest for a January move following Robin Van Persie’s long-term injury.
Lukaku made his senior debut in Anderlecht’s championship play-off with Standard Liege back in May. He came on as a substitute just 11 days after signing his first professional contract. The fact that the youngster was thrown into a title-deciding match perfectly illustrates how highly regarded he is as a player at his club. However, it is this season that the teenager has really come of age with 8 goals in just thirteen league appearances (7 starts).
The impact the youngster has had in his homeland is similar to that of Wayne Rooney’s impact as a 16-year-old at Everton. Like Rooney, Lukaku is physically strong for his age but is also far taller than the England striker. At 6 ft 3 and a half, the Anderlecht man has shown both the power and athleticism to make a major impact for his club despite his relative inexperience.
The Anderlecht striker has been labelled the ‘new Didier Drogba’ by the Belgian press and is not only extremely quick but also very strong in the air. It’s hardly surprising that Lukaku has made such an excellent transition into senior football as his record at youth level is simply exceptional. Prior to joining Anderlecht, Lukaku played for both Lierse and FC Brussels youth teams. He scored an incredible 130 goals in just 68 youth games for Lierse and 121 in 88 youth matches for Anderlecht.
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The striker was born in Antwerp but is of Congolese descent and has already broken into the Belgian U21 side where he has scored one goal in five caps (3 starts). One thing’s for certain, there is no shortage of admirers in the teen sensation with Chelsea also linked with a January move for the striker who tops his club’s scoring charts and is joint 2nd in the Belgium top division behind Standard’s Milan Jovanovic who has scored nine times. Jovanovic’s 9-goal tally includes 3 penalties and has come from 15 league starts which shows how remarkable Lukaku’s record is. After all, the 16-year-old does not take penalties and has only completed one full 90 minutes in his seven league starts for Anderlecht. Five goals in his last six league appearances (5 starts) suggest the striker is getting better and better.
Lukaku has also experienced European football this season in both the Champions League qualifiers and the Europa League. He came on as a sub for nineteen minutes in the 5-1 defeat in Lyon which made him the youngest player ever to appear in that competition at 16 years and 98 days.
Chelsea’s interest is unsurprising as they are scouring world football for an heir to their talisman Drogba especially with the African Cup of Nations taking place this season. Lukaku would be an ideal signing as both a rival to the Ivory Coast striker as well as a prodigy to slowly progress into the first team. Arsene Wenger has stepped up his interest after former Arsenal captain Tony Adams gave a glowing report of the striker after being sent to watch him in action.
Lukaku’s contract runs until 2012 but Anderlecht face a mighty fight on their hands to keep their new star with some of Europe’s biggest clubs ready to pounce. Arsenal lead the chase with Wenger reportedly already in negotiations to seal a deal as he looks to add strength and size to his attack which is lacking since Van Persie’s injury. Whether the Belgian leaves this January or not, we are sure to hear plenty about the sensational talents of Romelu Lukaku.
Do you like the look of Lukaku? Do Arsenal need a youngster like this or should they be looking at experienced talent in January? Let’s hear your views.
Tags: Anderlecht, Arsenal, Belgium, Chelsea, Congo, Romelu Lukaku
December 1st, 2009 at 11:22
This boy is going to be one of the best in the world if Arsene signs him then he will improve even further.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:34
It’s gamble getting him. He’s playing in the third rate Belgian league where defenders are not as proven as those in the epl.
AW better move for the proven article otherwise if the superboy doesn’t deliver there will be more frustration.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:47
lol this article makes him out to be a ready made prem player this season, all at the age of 16.
Even if Wenger or Acellotti buys him in Jan, he will not be a direct replacement for either Drogba or Van Persie this season.
He might get a few prem games as a sub, but will not be overused due to his lack of premiership experience and his age.
December 1st, 2009 at 14:24
dirty turkey learn how to read, did you not see the part where it said he was born in antwerp. last time i checked that was in belgium, europe. regardless of which its pretty silly to make such generalisations about individuals based simply on where they come from, ie if england is the land of hooliganism and dodgy politicians (expenses fiddlers) it must mean all english are hooligans and all their members of parliament are simply dodgy.