We delve into the data offered up by Saturday and Sunday’s 10 fixtures this evening. Newcastle’s weekend goal hero, Villa’s foraging frontman and Liverpool’s talismanic South American are all under analysis, while we also cast an eye over a trio of midfield playmakers plying their trade at United, Swansea and Tottenham:
Still young enough to develop quite a lot though. Thing is, carrying around 95 kg's on a football pitch isn't exactly optimal - especially in the most fast-paced league around.
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Tried to improve his pace with an oul haircut, didn't work out too well. 😛
Open ControlsAerodynamic I tells ya!
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Open ControlsI'm not saying he can't be quick, I'm saying his mobility is quite limited - which is not that hard to see.
Still, as you say, 20 years old. Lots of time.Open Controls
he's about 88kg now, was too heavy when he joined chelsea so they worked on him trimming down before they sent him on loan
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drogba was around 25 before he became lethal i think. moved to chelsea aged 26 or something like that.
suarez was 25 when he started producing regularly.
lukaku has time yetOpen ControlsHe has time, plenty of it. Just not sure I can see him getting much better than what he's at now.
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I agree with this. Different players develop at completely different rates. He's been at the top level since he was about sixteen. He'll get a bit smarter but that's about it
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Yep, this was why I thought he had a huge amount of potential last season. The main realization for me has been that he might not have much upside left, in which case he may not be good enough in the end.
Open ControlsWe have to be clear what we mean by not good enough by the way - I mean a good, consistently scoring striker but not like top 5 in the world good.
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He's 20 or so. That's very young for a striker. More to come from him
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Well he really impressed for Chelsea in pre-season, so the "he doesn't fit with Chelsea's style of play" is bullshit.
Everton are 6th, so a bit better than 'mid-table'.
He's proven in the last two seasons that he can play at Premier League level, including scoring goals against big teams: off the top of my head, a hattrick against Man Utd for WBA, a brace against Liverpool, a goal away to Man City this season. And I'm sure there would be many more.Open ControlsNot bullshit at all, will you stop. 😛 You can't just say that on the basis of a few pre-season games.
Yes, he can play at PL level - just ever for one of the big teams.Open ControlsYup, his brace against Hong Kong Allstars really proved his talent.
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I would say he is worth a gamble at his age though. He's got the tools, just needs to hone them.
Pace and power can't be taught.. Whereas getting your head up and bringing others into the game can be. At times he reminds me of Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey. Gets a lot of stick but no defender wants to play against someone with his attributes.
Having said he is worth a gamble - I think he needs to leave Chelsea. Jose doesn't fancy him, that much his clear. Mata is one thing, but I bet he wouldn't sell Romelu to another Premiership rival though.Open ControlsI meant power alone 🙂
Open ControlsI think Jose would sell him to any of the top 6 teams in a heartbeat.
Open ControlsYou do? Interesting. We may see in the Summer Captain! I wonder who Everton will get though. They obviously couldn't afford to buy him.
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They really aren't Captain just more vocal 😉
He's a good mid-table striker and that's no insult. Will never be a world beater he's just not skilled enoughOpen Controls
Apologies Jimmy, but that ain't the way things work 🙂
Open ControlsNo fair!
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What a load of garbage.
He's 20 and a very good player. He can achieve anything. You know nothing of his development potential.Open ControlsBut Mourinho does, AND THAT'S WHY HE GOT RID OF HIM.
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cant understand how Everton are mid-table team they are generally always just outside the top 4 - when was their last bottom table finish.
Open ControlsOk, in the top 8.
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I completely disagree. He is only 20 years old and has shown some incredible talent. You have to remember his last two seasons he has been thrown in to a completely new team, not knowing or having played with many of the other players. For someone to quickly adapt like he has for West Brom and Everton...at the age of 19/20 is remarkable.
Just you wait.Open Controls
Put me with the "Too early to tell," crowd. Yeah, maybe he hasn't improved as much as we'd like over the past couple seasons, but he's still only 20, and there's no set rate at which players improve. Maybe over the next couple of years, he'll figure some things out, stay healthy and become a world class striker. Maybe he won't, that's the beauty of it.
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@Isacki
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-OudU-1NQg
Fast forward to 2:35...Decent save for an outfield player 😉Open ControlsJust noticed Easter is on my daughters birthday this year. My very own baby jeebus 😎
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😆
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But reborn on Easter no?
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Is your daughter called Rose by any chance?!
Open ControlsHeidi. Why's that Colonel?
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Just think of the cave as a massive vajayjay. Bam reborn
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Can't believe some people believe there's an old guy with a beard flying around between the clouds who created the earth xD
Open ControlsIf just one person thought this they'd lock em up in a padded cell. Sanity in numbers. It's understandable though. Part of the human condition. Will be a long time before religion is a part of history, if ever
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Why is it the people always clown on Jesus and Christianity, but leave Islam and other religions alone?
Ridiculous.Open Controls
Whilst Eriksens stats are entirety good (comparable to Maya's increase from playing behind the striker again) I can't help but feel that as soon as Adebayor is back, Sherwood will start playing Eriksen on the left again, thus denying him the position he should be playing...
I not want to be burned by Eriksen for the third time already!Open Controls- In defence of Lukaku
I think Lukaku is getting a rough going.
He's 20 years old you know.
When Drogba was 22 he scored 0 goals in 11 appearances for Le Mans.
At 23 he scored 5 in 21 league games. Both these years in League 2.
He was 24 before he broke 10 goals.. scoring 17 in 34 for Guingamp.
Lukaku has 12 goals in 24 for Everton this season. He's 20.Open ControlsSo what you are saying is...
Keeploaningloaningloaningloaningloaning,Keeploaningloaningloaningloaningloaning,Keeploaningloaningloaningloaningloaning....Open ControlsOh.. and 17 in 35 for WBA last year wasn't too shabby for a 19 year old.
Open ControlsThat's misleading Gimli. Everyone develops differently. You are comparing one of the latest bloomers I can think of with one of the earliest. Lukaku's been at the top level since he was 16! He's about as good as he's gonna get regardless of age
Open ControlsThis is just not true
Open ControlsHow so?
Open ControlsTo say that he's about as good as he's gonna get regardless of age is speculation on your part. It's a tough position for a young player and imo he has improved every year. He's playing on a team that does not give him the best of service and he still acquits himself well. Just my opinion but I think he will continue to improve
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Which position isn't tough for a young player?
Open ControlsThat is my speculation yeah. My point is mainly that you can't look at a players age and know how much they will continue to develop. Him and Drogba couldn't be more contrasting in this aspect. You are right he's still improving but I just think he's near the top of his game after 5 odd years at the top level. He is a very good player btw just not skillfull enough for the top teams imo. Hasn't stopped Giroud mind 😉
Open ControlsFair enough. May be wrong but I think he'll be a good one
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And he is a good player. Forget about age for a minute. Most would consider their career a success if they peak for years as a very decent premier league striker.
Open ControlsTrue true. Look at Ian Wright, he was about 50 or something before he was any good.
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Mate you've prob never kicked a ball in your life, opinions are cringeworthy tbh
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silly season on ere
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Need to get out in the woods.
Open ControlsIf you go down in the woods today, you'd better go in......... never mind, have fun
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Good move, Lukaku is due.
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How good was hangeland?
Open ControlsHe was one of the worst players on our team up until we were 16-17. Then he excelled quite fast, to say the least.
Open ControlsI usually see him in the Summer holidays, and when I'm in London. He's a great lad.
Open ControlsShe's cute, but not a worldie.
http://vertical.snd.no/migration_catalog/article302217.ece/ALTERNATES/w980c169/BredebodyOpen Controls
That's intriguing. How was he getting better?
Open ControlsTechnical and physical abilities. and rapidly increased his understanding of the game (mostly on reading the game). It was quite extraordinary, no raw talent just hard work - and it seemed like he just decided to become good at 16. Trained like a maniac.
Open ControlsNice to see hard work pay off.
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🙂
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For what it's worth...Lukaku will get better and Mourinho wasn't daft to let him go. In an odd way Torres has been a great striker for them this season...or rather not striker...The amount of work he puts in up front is top rate by anybody's standards and works perfectly for the team he has put together this season...Shame he's a crap finisher though nowadays...Mourinho was right with both Mata and Lukaku, for this season.
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Top rate amount of work by the standards of £50 million (plus inflation)?
Open ControlsChelsea as a team always seem to play better with Torres in the team. Links up better with the midfielders and brings them into play more.
Open ControlsMourinho likes his work rate...top of his priorities. I suppose when all is said and done does he really mind who is scoring as long as somebody is. In fact he lined up with no striker at all against United.
Open ControlsMourinho's opinion on the importance of work-rate can be perfectly reflected in his faith in Willian this season.
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Just 20h42m to go...!
5 playing, then 6 on Wednesday...Open Controls
Are you expecting another 100pts?
Open ControlsSuarez at home to Sunderland. It's entirely possible with just him alone.
Open ControlsBut highly unlikely. 20+ scores for one player are very rare. 100pt gameweeks are rare. If I get 80pts, I'll be very happy.
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Make sure you stand on one leg, then
http://static.ecb.co.uk/images/width300/david-shepherd-469489.jpgOpen Controls
All said and done, I have Lukaku in my FPL team so the last half hour was just one major jinx.
He'll now proceed to score a hatty tomorrow. Suckers. 😉Open ControlsLet's go over to Sturridge. I need 5-6 goals from him.
Open Controls(c)?
Open ControlsYup 🙁
Open ControlsGood luck. Us Suarez(c)er's have had our day in the sun.
I'm just hoping for a Mannone pen save from a Gerrard penalty tbh.Open ControlsThat would suit me perfectly!
I do fear another Suarez haul though, think this gameweek is the nail in the coffin for what my ML is concerned. Will have to rely on some serious differentials to come huge now. Baines, Nasri and Rooney must deliver.Open Controls
I'm sure what everyone is thinking right now is "Gosh, I would love it if there was a nailed on £4.0m keeper next season."
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All the nailed on keepers this season started at 4.5m or more. The only likely hope for a nailed on 4.0m keeper is if the first choice keeper of a promoted team is injured after the prices have been set.
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Kosc is killing me...
Open ControlsCall the police. They handle this sort of thing.
Open ControlsShould I do Kosc-->Cahill or Kosc-->Jagielka(if fit) for EVE double up?
Reason says Cahill, gambling says JagsOpen Controls
Jeez, Lukaku getting a bit of a bashing from some. Reality is no one knows if he can make the next step and become a VERY good striker. However, I would say the balance of probability is on his side, the stats rarely lie, he is basically averaging a goal every 2 games which puts him right up there.
Open ControlsI think he's a fantastic talent - just not the kind of player we need at Chelsea. I'm sure he'll do well at another club (preferably not English) but I can't see him playing for a top, top European club. Hope I'm wrong though!
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Nobody is bashing him. Saying that his limit is probably a very good premier league striker is far from bashing him
Open ControlsStandard FFS overreaction.
Open ControlsI did a a 'bit' lol. I think more accurately what i meant was folk making predictions based on nothing more than opinion (nothing wrong with that of course, everyone entitled and all that).
Its just that to me the balance of probability indicates that he should go on to be very good, and likely a future Premier League golden boot candidate for example.Open Controls
Quiet day price wise.
Perhaps just Delph rising and no fallers.
Yaya to rise tomorrow.Open ControlsQuiet day here too. Some discussion between Lukaku owners and non-owners that someone hulked.
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Whilst the Chelsea line up is being discussed...Any thoughts on Lampard ?..His time seems to be more or less up at Chelsea now. Does anybody think he will seek a swansong at another club ?
Open ControlsCoaching role at Chelsea or off to USA I reckon.
Open ControlsThis, imo. As much as I'll hate to see him go, I don't want him to stay around too long so that his legacy is somewhat 'diminished'.
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West Ham maybe
Open ControlsThat would be brilliant. Poetic even
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Can't imagine it. Think he'll go straight into coaching.
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He's on his way to the MLS
Open ControlsHe may take a couple of seasons at Becks' new project before returning as a coach
Open ControlsThough I have read he may get a one year extension
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Will he go to the World Cup ok, yeah?
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No doubt he'll go to the LA Galaxy in MLS and line up alongside Landon Donovan, with Keane and Zardes up top.
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Answering MJ previous page, I went to primary school with Peter crouch. He was the year below but played in our team, was comfortably the best player in the team and despite being one year younger was a foot taller than everybody else.
He missed the critical penalty in a shoot out in a cup final, I often wander if he thinks about that every time he steps up but it does not seem to bother him. I guess for him it was a small step on his way to his millions, for me it was the pinnacle of my football career 🙁
He was and I believe from those who stated in touch still is a nice guy btwOpen ControlsIs this a claim to fame thing?
I was in the same class as John Eustace, but no one will know who he is.Open ControlsI played in the same youth team as Connor Wickham I don't type paragraphs about it
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Possibly, but bench at best imo.
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which would you do first?
A) Azpi in for Kosc
B) Lukaku in for Giroud
C) do both for a hitOpen ControlsA
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Have I just read that Lukaku is an average player and nothing more? Lukaku is the best under 21 striker in the world. Not exactly average!
Open ControlsJese Rodriguez will have something to say about that
Open ControlsI was waiting for someone to say that. Playing a few minutes here and there for an admittedly stronger team doesn't make him a better player. Just look at Bojan for an example of that. Lukaku has had a bigger impact than Jesse both domestically and internationally.
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I'm with you here, I think best is a strong word to throw around, but he's certainly in the conversation. I think the point being made at the start of all this was that it's easy to forget he's only 20. Which it is. The guy is built like a truck.
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Night chaps.
Been good reading.
Good luck tomorrow to you all (except the 4 danger men chasing me in my ML....you know who you are :twisted:)Open Controls
Lukaku.
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Finally, a bit of interesting discussion on here.
Night, lads!Open ControlsYou started it ! (Good for you;-) )
Night skipper.Open Controls
Cool debate. I'm off. I'll leave you with this can of worms:
As if Lukaku is 20...Open Controls
What's all this lukaku discussion going on for...? Unusual to see!
Also, koscielney, you **** :'( negative contribution from 2 games... I was hoping for 8-9 at least!Open ControlsI met lukaku once. He drives a blacked out carbon fibre porsche cayenne.
Quite liked him, and felt sorry for him when he missed that peno in the cup game.... Poor ladOpen ControlsI also felt sorry for ME when he missed a penalty against (I think) Swansea last season and I had the armband on him 😥
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First name on Fantasy World Cup team sheet (looking at the groups)
Benzema. Then Falcao.Open ControlsCahill, Sturridge and Gerrard because England are going to win the world cup
Open ControlsMessi, Pogba (?), Hazard, Paulinho.
Not sure really.Open Controls
Clyne>Chambers might be good tip; grade one groin strains need 3 wks, grade two takes 4-6 wks; Southhampton next 4 include NEW, CAR, avl
Open ControlsHas the extent of his injury been confirmed, then? That is good news that I needed 🙂
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10 years, 1 month agoLooks like the Lukaku fanboys are still in the majority on here.
Decent enough forward for a mid-table PL team, nothing more - nothing less.