The Tactical Reasons Behind Lukaku's Failure | Why Was Lukaku So Bad At Chelsea | 

Nice to see an honest critic of Lukaku without de-humanizing the guy

Honestly I kinda feel bad for him. The team shouldn't have signed him with the knowledge that his playstyle didn't fit their team & tactics and this made him a waste on the team.

It's rather unfortunate how things ended considering his blistering start to the campaign. Back in September he really had me thinking he was the final piece of the puzzle for Tuchel and Chelsea

So essentially Chelsea spent 110 million on a player that can’t play tuchel style. You would think spending 110 million in a player would involve more research.

Many people say the EPL is too hard for him yet he has 121 goals in that league, people just talk nonsense about Romelu.

Basically at Chelsea Lukaku had a situation where it was almost always 2 on 1 while at Inter he could slip into 1 on 1's because of Lautaro, that's one of the biggest struggles he had at Chelsea

An absolute spot on analysis by our FMS guru. There are many variations of the number 9, but Lukaku is just of one type. Namely, the checking to the ball and turning to run at goal type. That is not the style that Chelsea play. Everybody wants to play like Pep, including Tuechel. That means interchangeable parts in the attack -- and that means also everybody on the attack plays either as winger or as a forward as the game dynamics dictate. One thing that our FMS guru didn't mention, but seemed to me to be the case, is that Lukaku appeared not to be in top physical condition. One of the stills in the vid showed Lukaku with a bit of a midsection paunch. Lukaku flourished under Conte who is legendary for getting players in tip top shape via strict fitness and diet regimens. Lukaku is supposedly a great person, but maybe he needs a father figure more than most players. Conte can play that role, Teuchel never will (no disrespect meant there!)

IMO Werner and lukaku could do great in a formation like 3-5-2 because they had played in 2 striker formation in their great season and due to a lack of game time they also haven't been able to adapt to the Tuchel playstyle. But being a Chelsea fan it still the sky sport interview of lukaku still enrages me

Poor scouting and decision making up top He doesn't fit the system at all

something you missed but you sort of touch upon it, but I think the major reason Lukaku has struggled is because he gets less time to control a ball before a defender presses him than he did in Serie A. This is why his touch seemed to have gotten worse in the UK, as a defender would nudge him in the back as soon as he goes to control the ball which they don't tend to do in Italy or at least they are slow to do so. This is why players like Tomori (who in England often got exposed by overcommitting or by being wrong sided by attackers) seem to have a sudden mark up while in Italy. In the Prem attackers are often able to control the ball while running onto it and release quickly, which is not Lukaku's strength and which is why he would be stationary and the ball nicked from him or he would have his "trampoline" touch.

It's simple: because he wasn't bad. He had a choice who didn't like him and tons of injuries, yet he became top scorer and won them their only trophy. If the refereeing had been better he would've won them 2 trophies (EFL cup) The fact that he managed to score 15 times and win them like 5 penalties despite only playing like half a season is honestly impressive.

Was always against Chelsea paying the price of two Halands for one lukaku. It was a gigantic mistake.

I know there will be many many who will criticize Chelsea but look at 50 first touches of Lukaku, also look at his runs, he is always pointing for the ball but he knows that the player can't give the ball that time, also why he doesn't headers? Atleast he should be a good position and make better run

Yeah just like this, I’ve said this for months that Tuchel use him wrong and wants him to play a tiki faka system but then he just needs to play Havertz than. He scored more than his expected goals, that says enough right? If you’re topscorer is a “flop” you do something wrong. His start was good, the injuries of both wingbacks didn’t help. Also his own COVID and injury didn’t help and the interview ofc but if we look at the football side he did nothing wrong IMO, if you,re coach don’t even now how to use you to you’re strengths for a 100M buy there goes something wrong. Chelsea topscorer last season was Jorginho…. just look at his sprint against Villa, there are not many strikers with such pace and strength

This is kinda true and most of United and Inter fans already knew this I guess, and maybe some of our fans too ?! It make sense also, if you see his performances against City away and Pool in Carabao Cup, he actually played decent since against organized high pressing teams, CFC had to sit back a bit due to excellent counter pressing by these two teams. As a result we played on the transition, where Lukaku actually got into goal scoring positions and probably should have had one allowed (Carabo Cup)

There are times I'd see Lukaku make runs and his teammates weren't picking him out. I wondered if they were doing it on purpose because of the controversial interview of Lukaku's or his teammates just aren't wired to play to Lukaku's strengths. Good video this

I feel like if Chelsea slightly adapted their style in attack it could have worked, playing Werner or Havertz alongside Lukaku with Mount, Ziyech or Havertz in behind could have worked better, especially Werner who despite the flack he gets is a very clever player with his movement and runs beyond the defence, this could've created space that Lukaku could've thrived in, also may have helped Werner as he no longer would've been the focal point for Chelsea.

make a video about Christoph galtier the new psg manager

best video on the subject ive seen, cheers

As a Chelsea fan, I wasn't over the moon when we bought him, the fact he played in Italy should be taken into consideration, his style of play isn't what the premier league is anymore...

Well said, but why do you think he didn't build a good partnership with werner? He is good at runing behind diffenders too, or rather it's his main strength, right?

Great analysis. By the same logic presented here, it would seem that Ronaldo to Chelsea would also be a bust.

In my view, before a player moves to another club he should be aware in what role he is going to play in that team. Second question would be whether that role would fit his strengths. In case of Lukaku at Chelsea: new role doesn't fit at all. His time with Ole showed that already.

Everton and Inter showed that he needs the right tactics to fit in. He's never been a flop tbf, but the only thing he never improves is his first touch

Best video on the subject, congrats man! Very well reasoned, backed by data... 10.

This is spot on ..... perfectly explained 👏👏

It looks like he can play Harry Kane’s role at Spurs. With Conte and Spurs playing style, it would’ve been much better. In my opinion, Tuchel probably knew what Lukaku did good in the past, but he wouldn’t change his tactics for Lukaku alone. Then I wonder why Tuchel wanted him in his squad.

This could also be a concern for erling halaand too a t man city

You're spot on man.....Lukaku was failed by the coach. How do you buy a player and have no idea how to play to his best abilities according to your system? Tuchel failed Lukaku and Chelsea....

You are a great analyst

Are you going to be doing a video on mourinhos Roma?

put it simple, because serie A at the moment is a farmers/priests/single dads league and i'm impressed by the fact professional scouts haven't figured it out and they still think that a player who's devastating in serie A will do the same in premier league or la liga. (i'm italian)

Wow. Impressive analysis mate!.

Can you do the video of Lukaku and Darwin Nunez differences and comparisons? Cos I expect him to fail like Lukaku cos I think they’re similar type of players

Great content as always my friend.

What Chelsea wanted was Emile Heskey, essentially. Should try to go for Lewandowski this year.

I think Lukaku can still be a good player, and I think Tuchel is still an excellent manager, but this situation is exactly why I think Liverpool has the better transfer model than Chelsea/United/Arsenal/City (excluding Nunez because I'm still not sure if that's a good signing). Chelsea spend 100m on Lukaku, which at the beginning of the season makes sense. But basically by Halloween you can tell that Tuchel never asked for him. He solves a problem that Chelsea had (poor finishing, looking at you Timo) but Tuchel's solution involved better approach play, which minimizes the role of the 9. If you look at City and Liverpool, they haven't used traditional 9s and Tuchel looked to emulate this. At the end of the day it's just Abramovich's money, so who cares right? Same with United, they spend quite a bit to bring in players like Maguire and Ronaldo, one of whom breaks the system that was in place. Did Ronaldo score a lot of goals, yes, but I think if he's out of the system in the first place United score more goals. Arsenal haven't been overly wasteful (Pepe being the exception). City spent 100m on a player whos biggest game contribution is that he slides for 4 yards after falling and draws a foul for it, but Sheikh is paying for it so who cares right?

Great topic!

He should've played up top with Werner with Mount or Havertz in the midfield

Excellent video. The only question I have is why didn't adapt? A 100m player that is a one trick pony.....come on

it just Chelsea forgot to buy a lukaku manual book. 🤭🤭

Top notch analysis👌

I'm curious. How are you able to observe All these tactics??

The fairest and non-bias analysis of the Lukaku situation at Chelsea.

He's a very limited Player & that's it. When you see his career all along , his chance creation through movements has been average , he needs free balls with weak defenders to get things going. Ball holding is average , cannot dribble a bit , heading according to height is decent. His tactical input is pretty much limited that you can't play him in tough matches as well. Ever watch him & you'll see if there are no free balls to be provided or simple shots , having him is next to nothing. You see him at Belgium as well ,lot of goals but again when they come up against a great teams or good defenders he's no where.

His biggest weakness is his mentality. He needs to be pampered like a child and if he doesn't he whines

You had the tactical analysis of his play style absolutely right but you put it in a way that Chelsea didn't use him right. He comes low to start the attack at Inter, if he does that efficiently at Chelsea like Giroud does, Kai and Mount are always ready for the link up and carry on the movement. He coudn't win aerial duels neither could he hold the ball with the first touch anywhere on the field except during counter attacks. Almost half the EPL teams play all out defense, how will you expect Chelsea to play every game sitting back and waiting for counter? So if Chelsea goes back to counter attack 451 ppl will start saying they park the bus again.

its so funny, i got an ad from inter milan for this video about lukaku XD XD

Will Haaland and/or Nunez also fail like this?

0:20 exremely few people had no doubts about his success, most people felt like Chelsea were getting scammed. In the end, Chelsea were scammed. This player is just mediocre.

Chelsea need a Costa type of a forward who used to come from deep...King Kai has the potential to be that even Drogba was at time playing like that

As a Chelsea fan it's a 50 50

He actually wasn't too bad. Injured himself after a good start and then got a Covid infection which further sidelined him. After that you got the media reports because of his interview which also didn't help his case. In the end he started scoring again. 8 goals isn't great but considering he played half a season it is a ok stat. His expected goals of 0.4 is good too, especially considering it's the 1st season for the new club. I think there's a personal problem between Lukaku and Tuchel. Tuchel wants a striker more involved defenively and a more mobile man up front. Lukaku wants different tactics where he has more space to operate and run at the defenders. These are issues that should have been clear before signing him.

If you buy someone like Lukaku you play to his strengths, you don't try to force him into a structure that doesn't suit him.

Lukaku will fire again with Inter since the attack will be building from him and therefore will empty space for lautaro and also barella with the assistant of the power winger men Dumfries Inter right side will be dangerous for the opponent

The biggest reason as mentioned was stylistically they weren't a match. If Chelsea had assumed a similar philosophy as Conte at Inter/Spurs, Romelu would've fared well. Emotion clouded judgment for Romelu. Desperation for a 9 clouded judgment for Chelsea.

This is proof that you can’t just sign the first striker on sale, you have to make sure they can fit into the system

Maybe it was a disconnect between Abramovich and Tuchel but buying and not using him correctly ultimately cost Tuchel his job

I didnt quite underatand why Chelsea didnt play Havertz and Lukaku as a front two. Havertz basically is the perfect F9 who can draw defenders out of the box to chase him which leaves Lukaku with more space.

Honestly he didn’t suit the system and I’m still annoyed that Chelsea sold Tammy Abraham -_-

Do a video on werner. please.

I feel bad for him. Only because of the fact that, Tuchel didn't change his game plan or tactics while playing a traditional no.9, Lukaku struggled. Believe me or not, even CR7 or RL9 would produce the same effects. Can't blame everything on this man right here.

I love to watch your videos

mostly correct analysis, and honest. It does not mention the injury and covid disadvantage, It also doesn't take into account the fact that he did not get to take the penalties, while he hasn't missed one in many years. This would have lifted his goal number with 4 or 5, getting him into 20 in all competitions. Instead they gave the penalties to some Italian guy whos penalty taking skills cost his country the worldcup articipation.

Two words. His ego. Bloke thinks the whole world revolves around him and therefore so should any team in which he plays.

I predicted this, lukaku plays way better where he can utilise his speed to easily pass defenders and take on the keeper 1 v 1 he is a great fox in the box striker, once the opposite presses high enough a long ball to lukaku could easily lead to a goal however playing his as a classic no. 9 or a false 9 requires him to be able to have a great first touch and to be able to turn and pass to his wingers/midfielders, for this to work effectively he would need a striker partner such as martinez one who can burst and dribble and carry the ball while being able to score if in the position to,

Lukaku and Lautaro 🔥

Pls do Argentina

Moral of story Conte played Lukaku to his strength Tuchel wanted him to adapt to his style of play which didn't work

Always believe that Lukaku is more of a poacher than a target-man. Mourinho got it right with him to an extend, but people just focuses only on his flaw, not on what he has done right.

I'm not trying to belittle other leagues, EPL is rich and EPL is currently the strongest league because it brings good players from all leagues to the EPL Lukaku is just a player who hasn't proved himself in the big leagues twice

I hoped he would be the kind of player that make a man of the match against arsenal. His strength & linkup was good then. That being said, conte & tuchel are very different type of coach. Conte has his system rigid, so players need little thinking. Tuchel, on the other hand, relatively gives more thinking to his players, as when there was this interview and he made a point when neymar was trapped in tight space, he won't give solution to ney, instead he'd let ney to think his way through, to have more room for creativity

Lukaku was not a Tuchel signing, it was Mariana's panic buying of a striker. Before the interview, both Lukaku and Tuchel wanted to work together and figure a system that works but unfortunately, things fell apart with the manager and other teammates.

He's a flat track bully. And a diva. Powerful combo.

Very good points. I'd like to add that during 20/21 season, Hakimi also assisted Lukaku with his stunning speed and versatility, which Chelsea failed to provide.

His failures and successes throughout his career should have already shown the preferable way to utilise him. Yet, Chelsea thought otherwise

Because he didn't try.

Lukaku is not a versatile or adaptable striker. He is extremely effective, but ONLY if the system is built around him. I think him and Inter are perfect for each other; he gets a club where he'll be idolized and never be challenged, and Inter get their "superstar" who'll never be ambitious enough to try to make it at a club where he won't be pampered 24/7.

how about Lukaku in Belgium Nt, with Kdb and Hazard beside him?

Belgium to some extent are possession based.... Lukaku would score against minnows , but in a top game, he hides.

What possible strikers do you think best fit Chelsea’s system?

Lukaku didn’t fail at Chelsea, Chelsea failed Lukaku. Why would you buy a player that doesn’t fit the system?

Yea Lukaku is too much of a traditional number 9 to work because Tuchel wanted more than that out of his center forward. This might mean Mancity and Nunez might also struggle in Pep or Klop system as they are also Traditional 9.

he never got settled!

Lukaku is not a genuine marksman. A genuine marksman needs some genuine skills, not just the bulldozing ability. Remember Klinsmann plz...

Same thing is going to happen with haaland at city

He looks like a big target man in the mould of many greats before him like Shearer. But looks deceive…

This is on Chelsea 100%

His first touch is horrible, he got away with that in Italy because Serie A is played in slower tempo not in PL.

lukaku needed a Fabregas in midfield , i compare him with Diego Costa

why tuchel didn't uses 4231 system :/

You're right. But all those things were obvious to many Serie A fans, so you'd assume both Lukaku and Tuchel would be aware of it. I think the blame is shared 50-50. Chelsea's decision to bring him back for 115 million euros, even though he didn't suit the system, was a mistake. And his decision to leave Inter was an equally terrible decision.

90 mil on lukaku vs ronaldo... wish chelsea owners moved for ronaldo this season...

Playing with one 10 and two 9s will get the best out of Lukaku, Mount. (Havertz can play 9 and drop and he can do the 10 roles) With this shape: Havertz Lukaku Mount

Lukaku deserves a defensive team .

also i have a doubt, does haaland fits in this Chelsea system?

Chelsea needs Victor Osimhen to compete against Man City and Liverpool IMHO.

I always think he could be better if he play rw at Chelsea

Change is the one constant thing in life. If Lukaku had spent the season back in Chelsea trying to adjust to the new system, I don't think the word failure would be associated with his name. I think people would be more sympathetic to his predicament under Tuchel. Fans would have given him more time. But the moment things got hard, you started talking about going back to inter and I think that's what made it all go downhill.

while Chelsea expected Lukaku to fit into their system which he couldn't that doesn't mean he is a waste or something. And consecutive failure has really affected his career