Sky Sports pundits Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Jamie Redknapp believe that Romelu Lukaku is low on confidence, but scoring goals again will help him get back to his best.
The Belgian made the return to Chelsea in the summer for just under £100million from Inter Milan, though he has since struggled to hit the same kind of form he found in Italy under Antonio Conte.
Despite the wide belief that he would be the missing part of Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea puzzle after the side won the Champions League, a mixture of poor form, injuries and off-the-pitch controversy has plagued his return.
One issue in particular for the 28-year-old was self-inflicted, having set-up an interview with Sky Sports Italy, where he stated his love for the Nerazzurri and his unhappiness with how he was being utilised at Stamford Bridge.
Lukaku was subsequently dropped from Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool in January and has since made a return, though without the goal scoring form he would be hoping to bring to the side.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Tottenham on Sunday, former Blues striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes that the forward will come good, though he needs to start scoring.
Discussing Lukaku on Sky Sports, Hasselbaink said: “I think he’s [Romelu Lukaku] still a really good signing and has a lot to give.
“He’s not started yet but this [Tottenham] is the perfect game for it.
“He will be fired up and this place will be absolutely electric. Hopefully that will help him to achieve what he should you know. That will be goals.”
Former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp also added to the discussion, saying: “He’s got to do more. I’ve watched a lot of Chelsea lately, him in particular and he looks bang out of confidence.
“He’s been in the right place at the wrong time. Just not feeling it, that confidence is low. But, it’s nothing a goal won’t sort out.
“When you look at strikers especially, the pressure he put himself with that interview,. We thought it might blow over quickly but it’s certainly had an after effect on him.”
Lukaku will certainly be hoping that Tottenham are the perfect opponents to get back into the goals against, having only ever scored once against the London rivals in 16 competitive appearances against them.
