New Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has revealed the jersey number he will wear this season, while confirming that he is fit to make his second debut for the Blues against Arsenal on Sunday.
The 28-year-old arrived from Inter with a £ 97.5m deal in the summer transfer window, but his signing was not confirmed in time for the 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace on the day of the Premier League campaign. .
Back on the bridge! ? pic.twitter.com/GP4XkNy63V
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 18, 2021
He is looking forward to returning to Stamford Bridge, speaking at a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, and Lukaku declared himself healthy and ready to face the Gunners.
“I have been training,” Lukaku confirmed. “I did a whole pre-season so now I’m just trying to get to know my teammates better and I’m available if the coach wants to play against me.
The Belgian forward also admitted that he has received the number nine shirt left by the late Tammy Abraham, who left the Blues to join AS Roma on Tuesday.
“Can I say that?” he asked. “Yes. I got number nine. I am very happy and fortunate to be in this situation.”
Lukaku was also asked about his talks with Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, who has given him advice on his style of play and improvements as a player. The former Inter man said that Drogba was ‘satisfied’ with his development, but there is ‘more work to be done’.
“He kept it very simple. He was really pleased with the improvements I have made in recent seasons. He says there is more work to be done. That is the right way of thinking,” he continued. “It’s about improving week by week. The last few years have been fantastic for myself. Now I get the chance to join a team that is hungry and ambitious.”
The forward himself believes he has become “a more complete player” during his time in Italy, where he scored 47 league goals in two seasons and won the title with Inter during his last year at the club.
“Maturity has been important,” he said.
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– R.Lukaku Bolingoli9 (@ RomeluLukaku9) August 17, 2021
“I have learned a lot more about myself. I have set higher demands. It is about becoming more complete as a player. It is more technical and tactical in Italy. It helped me a lot. The English game is different but it is nothing. “I can adapt myself and help the team.”
Lukaku was always asked about his memories of meeting Arsenal before, a team he has scored five goals against throughout his career. The Chelsea star believes it is “difficult to compare” situations given Gunners’ current transfer situation, but he believes it will be a “tough game”.
“It’s hard to compare. They rebuild and in the end I just look at my team and focus on what we have. It will be a tough game but we will prepare for a fight.”
