Roberto Di Matteo says 28-year-old Chelsea star has ‘improved so much’

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Roberto Di Matteo thinks that Chelsea player Romelu Lukaku is someone who’s improved so much over the years.

Di Matteo, who was Chelsea manager when Lukaku was a player during his first spell at Stamford Bridge, believes the 28-year-old striker is now a completely different animal.

Lukaku returned to the Blues this summer from Inter Milan and immediately looks like he’s improved the XI.

The left-footed forward netted on his second debut for the club against Arsenal, which he’ll hope will be the first of many this season.

He’s currently away on international duty with Belgium, scoring two goals last night in a 5-2 win against Estonia. It means he’s now got 66 goals in 99 caps for his country.

Di Matteo has labelled the Belgian as a really tough opponent for defenders.

“He’s improved so much over the years. I think it’s really tough to play against him as defenders,” Di Matteo told Off The Ball. 

How many goals will Romelu Lukaku score this season?

Jorginho was Chelsea’s top scorer last season in the Premier League with seven spot-kicks, so it’s amazing they finished in the top four without an individual reaching double figures.

£97.5million striker Lukaku is going to obliterate last season’s tally, though.

The Blues have had their fair share of pain with number nines, but surely they haven’t got this one wrong. 

Lukaku’s signing looks like one of the best additions of the entire summer window and you wouldn’t put it past him pushing for the 30-goal mark this season in all competitions.

If Chelsea are serious title contenders, you’d suggest the leading frontman will need to score 20-plus league goals.

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