Shearer says Chelsea were coping well without one player, but they desperately need him ‘firing again’

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Alan Shearer has claimed that Chelsea desperately need their centre-forward Romelu Lukaku “firing again”.

Lukaku, 28, has had a turbulent first half of the season since he re-signed for the Blues in the summer from Inter Milan.

First of all, the striker scored three goals in his opening three Premier League appearances. His overall tally this campaign stands at five goals in 16 games.

However, the Belgian frontman missed several games during October and November through injury. Also, he’s currently in a 10-day isolation period after testing positive for Covid-19.

Pundit Shearer reckons Chelsea really need him back on the pitch playing his best football once again. He made a few appearances in the league after returning from injury, but manager Thomas Tuchel used him four consecutive times off the bench in the league.

“Lukaku, who I saw as probably the most important signing that any club made last summer, has not started a Premier League game since 16 October,” Shearer wrote.

“He has not scored in the top flight since 11 September, but Chelsea were coping pretty well without him until recently. Not any more.

“Clearly, to get back on track they need Lukaku to start firing again, and quickly, or for someone else to provide the spark they need.

“They looked flat against Wolves at the weekend and although they are still right in the mix for the title, they cannot afford to fall much further behind.”

Lukaku can be major for Chelsea in New Year

In fairness, Lukaku is definitely one of the individuals in the Chelsea camp that deserves some slack for his rollercoaster time in the last few months.

He’s one of the senior figures in the squad that supporters will expect a lot from when he’s back available again, though.

It’s a fair point from Shearer that Chelsea are missing the presence of Lukaku at striker.

A mini dip was inevitable when you consider the Blues have shared the goals around their squad lately without a main source of goals.

Lukaku’s arrival is meant to guarantee the club a 20-goal a season forward, so there will be pressure on Lukaku to start living up to that high expectation. He should have his eyes on league showdowns with both Liverpool and Manchester City in January.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink recently jumped to the defence of Lukaku amid his quiet form this month by explaining elite forwards always have dry spells.

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