Lukaku ‘can be the player Chelsea need’ to solve goalscoring woes, claims Sturridge

Daniel Sturridge thinks Romelu Lukaku should be given the chance to show he can solve Chelsea’s woeful form in front of goal.

Lukaku returned to Stamford Bridge in August 2021 for a club-record £98million fee.

The Belgian international hit the ground running under Thomas Tuchel but as soon as the goals dried up he threw his toys out of the pram by declaring his love for Inter Milan – who he left to rejoin the Blues.

Lukaku got his wish at the end of 2021-22 when he returned to the Nerazzurri on loan for the entirety of this season.

He has struggled to replicate the form he showed at the San Siro prior to his big-money move to Chelsea, but recently scored a crucial goal against FC Porto to send his side through to the last eight of the Champions League.

The 29-year-old’s campaign has been hindered by injuries, which have contributed to his poor record of three goals in 16 Serie A matches.

Despite his controversial departure and poor form for club and country over the last 18 months, Lukaku has been tipped to return to Chelsea to play an important role under the manager who comes in to replace Graham Potter.

Potter was sacked last weekend after the 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa, meaning Bruno Saltor took charge of .

as the Blues drew 0-0 and Sturridge discussed the club’s striker situation during Sky Sports’ post-match analysis.

Sturridge was asked if he thinks Lukaku can solve Chelsea’s problems in front of goal and he surprisingly backed the former Man Utd and Everton forward to do just that, as long as the new manager gives him a chance.

“It depends on the manager,” Sturridge explained. “The new manager could come in and can build a team around him and I think that is probably what Lukaku needs.

“We will see, hopefully whoever comes in will fancy him and give him an opportunity because he didn’t really get a good chance to come out and prove himself once again at Chelsea, it was a very short period of time.

“So if he does come back and has a very good pre-season I am sure the manager will know this guy is a goalscorer. Maybe there are things that teams will want him to do more of, but in regards of scoring goals Lukaku does that, that is what he is known for.

“Not saying [they have to] bring him back and build a team around him but at the moment he can be the player they need.”

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is less optimistic about Lukaku’s chances of becoming a success at Stamford Bridge.

He said: “He has had his time here, different manager but he has had his time here and doesn’t cut it.”