Romelu Lukaku ‘could be the player Chelsea need’, insists Daniel Sturridge

Daniel Sturridge believes Chelsea could benefit from giving Romelu Lukaku another chance to prove himself at Stamford Bridge.

Lukaku was frozen out by former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel last summer after a disappointing first year at the club, having joined from Inter Milan for £98 million in 2021.

But the Belgian, who was also on the club’s books between 2011 and 2014, quickly fell out of favor under Tuchel and returned to Inter on loan last summer.

While many feel Lukaku has run out of chances at Stamford Bridge, another former Chelsea striker in Sturridge thinks he can still become the key to a future Blues boss if they play to the Belgian contract killer’s strengths.

“Depending on the manager, if they come in and build a team around him, hopefully whoever comes in will like him because he hasn’t had a chance to prove himself,” Sturridge told Sky Sports after Chelsea’s 0-0 draw against Liverpool.

“New manager should know this man scores goals. That’s what he does and that’s what he’s known for.’

Chelsea wasted numerous chances to beat Liverpool on Tuesday night, with midfielder Mateo Kovacic missing two big chances to score, while Joao Felix and Kai Havertz also dropped their lines in front of goal in a frustrating night for the club.

Sturridge believes Chelsea’s missed chances could have been finished off by Lukaku.

“For argument’s sake, we know that his attributes are in the penalty area, headers, one-touch finishes. If players around him offer those opportunities, he might be the right player for it at the moment, if he were here he would be those chances can score,” said Sturridge. .

‘Do not say [they have to] bring him back and build a team around him, but right now he could be the player they need.’

Despite Sturridge touting chances of a surprise Blues return for Lukaku, co-pundit Jamie Carragher was less convinced the 29-year-old would be the answer to the Chelsea striker’s riddle.

Carragher added: “He’s had his time here, different manager, but he’s had his time here and it’s not working out.”

However, Lukaku has also struggled this season on his return to Serie A, scoring just three top goals in 16 appearances.

However, he was on target in the Coppa Italia against Juventus on Tuesday night, scoring in stoppage time before being sent off.

In his only season back at Stamford Bridge, he scored just eight goals in 26 games.

Despite spending £600 million this season, Chelsea still lack a reliable striker to fall back on. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s arrival in the summer quickly proved an outsider after Tuchel was sacked almost immediately after his debut.

Goals have been a huge problem for the Blues this season and signing a striker is likely to be their main priority in the summer transfer window.

Chelsea have discussed a possible deal for Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund, with the Serie A side demanding £60 million for the 20-year-old.

But with Bruno Saltor taking charge of Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw in an interim role following the sacking of Graham Potter, taking on a new manager will be the next step for owner Todd Boehly.

Julian Nagelsmann, Roberto De Zerbi, Maurucio Pochettino and Luis Enrique have all been linked to the Stamford Bridge role.