Lukaku signing could spell bad news for four Chelsea players, including £58m ace- TCC View
Although the potential of arrival Romelu Lukaku would cause wild celebration in the Chelsea camp, some might not receive the news so well.
The Blues have directed all their focus towards Inter Milan’s talisman, as they look to sharpen Thomas Tuchel’s Premier League title challenge.
A deadly front man was the missing piece of the puzzle from last season.
Lukaku now looks like the man Chelsea want them to lead into battle.
Overall, signing the Belgian will be met with hysterical fanfare from the Stamford Bridge faithful.
How could they not get excited about the possible return of their former attacker?
He is one of the game’s great centre-forwards with a point to prove in England; this combination could be deadly.
However, there may be some inside the hallways of Cobham that won’t welcome Lukaku in so quickly.
Here are four Chelsea players who are set to lose out if the Inter man swaps Milan for London.
Tammy Abraham
Tammy Abraham is the obvious fall guy in this scenario.
It has looked likely for the months the 23-year-old will depart his boyhood club.
Ever since he fell out of favour with Tuchel, and stories of a new striker taking his place emerged, Abraham is allowed a feeling of neglect.
Whilst the Lukaku ball picks up speed, the Chelsea forward’s future is cast into further doubt.
Abraham will be surplus to requirements if the Belgian is recruited; there is every chance his no.9 jersey could be stolen as well.
Michy Batshuayi
If Abraham was fearing for his job, then take a moment to consider Michy Batshuayi’s feelings.
At least the Englishmen got to remain at Chelsea last term, in spite of his minimal game time.
Batshuayi on the other hand was shipped out on loan to Crystal Palace, scoring just twice in 20 appearances.
The 27-year-old will be sent even further down the pecking order permitted his fellow countryman joins before the window closes.
Christian Pulisic/ Hakim Ziyech
So often during Tuchel’s maiden campaign in charge, Chelsea played without a traditional striker.
He tinkered and tried Timo Werner and Kai Havertz through the middle, with varying success.
In Lukaku, the Blues boss would have no concerns about who to play up top.
What he will have to consider is who to field alongside the former Manchester United star.
Tuchel certainly has a preference towards Havertz and Werner, whilst Mason Mount is pretty much undroppable.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is also in contention, although he can be deployed as a wing-back.
This leaves Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech as the other two recognised first-teamers.
Both were in and out of the side under Tuchel, generally in direct opposition for a starting place.
There is £58m (BBC) and £33.3m (Sky Sports) worth of talent in Pulisic and Ziyech respectively.
Yet the pair could easily find themselves regularly on the bench thanks to Lukaku.