Romelu Lukaku heaps praise on Chelsea youngster after branding Blues ‘ridiculous’ squad

Romelu Lukaku has told new Chelsea teammate Trevoh Chalobah he must ‘keep pushing’ after establishing himself in the first team, while he says the Blues have a ‘ridiculous’ squad.

The Belgian frontman re-signed for the west London club in a £97.5million deal from Italian champions Inter and could make his second debut in Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal.

Lukaku has revealed that he was watching Chelsea closely for several months before agreeing to return and is in awe of the talent at Thomas Tuchel’s disposal – not least young centre-back Chalobah.

“It was such a great strike,’ Lukaku told Chelsea’s website when asked about the academy graduate’s incredible goalscoring Premier League debut against Crystal Palace last time out.

“But you know what, I think he’s been here since he was nine years old so to see him gradually coming up and then going on loan, coming back and now he’s just seizing his opportunity.

“In the Super Cup he was amazing and now in the league game he was amazing as well. So he has to keep pushing. Also, the goal was like the cherry on top of the cake.’

Asked who he is most looking forward to playing with in the Chelsea squad, Lukaku continued: “Everyone. To be honest, the team is so talented it’s ridiculous.

“I’ve seen the games that they played in the last, I would say, three months of the season, so to see the positions that they get into, the chances they create, it’s great for a striker.

“So for me I look to play with everyone. The thing about me is, [I do] whatever the coach asks me – if he wants me to be a focal point, or he wants me to run in behind, I can help them and they can help me.

“So I look forward to playing with everybody, from the goalkeeper to the strikers, because I can adapt.”

Chelsea target Declan Rice draws battle line against West Ham over £100m price tag

West Ham have been left stunned after Declan Rice made it known that he will not sign a new contract.

The midfielder has enjoyed a sensational few years with his performances attracting interest from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

Rice is keen to challenge for silverware and play in the Champions League and knows that the Hammers will struggle to provide him with those opportunities, despite an impressive year last term.

The 22-year-old feels as though his £100m valuation has priced him out of a move away and is now ready to run down his current deal, reports the Telegraph.

Rice will continue to give his all for the club until his contract runs out in 2024.

It now leaves West Ham with a decision to make regarding his future as they face losing their most prized asset for nothing in the future.

Tottenham set to beat Chelsea, Manchester United to Ligue 1 wonderkid

Tottenham are on the verge of Chelsea and Manchester United to Metz midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, according to reports.

The Senegalese wonderkid, 18, burst onto the scene last season, appearing 22 times in Ligue 1.

His impressive form has reportedly drawn admiring glances from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

But emerging reports in France claim that it is in fact Spurs that have won the race.

RMC journalist Joris Crolbois claims that a deal is virtually done, with Tottenham having agreed a fee of around £12-13million.

L’Equipe add that Sarr could remain on loan at Metz for the 2021-22 season, having already started their opening two matches.

They also report that Spurs still need to agree personal terms with the two-cap Senegal international.

ESPN’s Julien Laurens adds that the basic fee is around £8.5m, with the rest in bonuses.

“Erling Haaland was ready to talk with Chelsea”

Erling Haaland was ‘very happy’ to listen to offers from Chelsea this summer, according to German journalist Raphael Honigstein.

Chelsea were linked with a move for the Norway international before they signed Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan.

According to Honigstein, Haaland was ready to talk with Chelsea but a move never materialised.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Honigstein said: “There are strong rumours that Real Madrid feel confident [about signing Haaland]. However, there are strong rumours they feel confident about [Kylian] Mbappe and that hasn’t materialised yet. So let’s see what happens.

“I don’t think he knows where he’s going to end up.

“I think the point from a Chelsea perspective was that I was sure he was very happy to listen to Chelsea and maybe to a certain extent encourage Chelsea to make an advance or see if a deal can happen.

“He was never committed to going to Chelsea in recognition that next year he could have not just one club but five or six to choose from.”

Romelu Lukaku “a modern day Olivier Giroud”- Former Liverpool star

Glen Johnson has labelled Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku as a ‘modern day Olivier Giroud’.

The 28-year-old has returned to Stamford Bridge in a £97.5m transfer deal from Inter Milan and Johnson says he will ’cause a lot of problems’ in the Premier League this season.

Johnson believes Lukaku will thrive in west London and has likened the Belgian to former Chelsea and Arsenal striker Giroud.

Speaking to SBK Sportsbook, Johnson said: “He’s going to score loads of goals and he’ll cause all teams a lot of problems.

“He’s almost the modern upgrade on Olivier Giroud. People used to moan when Giroud played, but I don’t think people realised how good he was for that side. Lukaku is the same, but quicker and more powerful. He’s a great addition for that style of play. It wouldn’t surprise me if he had a field day against Arsenal.

“At Chelsea the first time, it didn’t really work, but he now knows the league. He’s obviously a more mature player now. If he didn’t think he was capable then I’m sure he wouldn’t have gone back. He’s tactically better than he was and his game awareness has improved big time. This time around he can make it work.”

Assessing Chelsea’s title credentials, Johnson added: “Signing Lukaku puts them closer, but Manchester United will be there as well.

“United finished second by a stretch last season and their home form was awful. They’ve kind of gone under the radar a little bit.

“They didn’t need much more to have a real go last season, so if they can string a few performances together, they’re going to be close as well.”