Was it a wise decision to loan out Lukaku?

On the last day of the transfer window, a handful of players enjoyed a large share of the limelight  - Juan Mata, Mesut Ozil, and Marouane Fellaini, to name a few. But one big shock was still in store for those eagerly following this player’s progress – the news of a season long loan deal for Romelu Lukaku.

Initially, the reaction was of surprise because Jose Mourinho had assured him of playing regularly. Why this loan deal then, one might have thought. It just seemed to defy all logic.

Here was a player who had been bought for about 18 million and forced to play in the reserves in his first season. A player, who refused to even touch the Champions League trophy because he felt he had not contributed to it. This was a Chelsea fan since childhood who couldn’t believe (initially) that he was in Stamford Bridge. This was a player who confessed his childhood dream was to play for Chelsea alongside Didier Drogba. Such a level of commitment for a footballer, at this age, is difficult to get. In the past, this showed whenever he was asked questions regarding his Chelsea future. His aim was clear – do whatever it takes to establish himself in the first team.

Hence, one felt, Chelsea were playing a dangerous game with the player ever since they bought him. When he signed for West Brom, it was the perfect opportunity to show his employers what he was capable of. His success has been well documented so far – a hat-trick against Manchester United on the final day the icing on the cake. From a nobody in 2012 to a future ‘Didier Drogba’ in 2013, the transformation was complete within a year.

The stage was set for Lukaku. If current form was to be the basis for selection, he would be an automatic starter. But, there was the small issue of a 50 million striker at hand. Fernando Torres would still be first choice ahead of him, owing to the enormous price tag and pressure from external sources. Demba Ba could be displaced easily from second choice to third choice, but taking Torres’ position would have been a big ask for Lukaku. In addition to this, inexplicably, Chelsea were already in the market for another striker – a big name, big money striker, all of whom, slipped away (unfortunately or fortunately).

This chase for another striker left me thinking what wrong had Lukaku done to not be trusted with the responsibility of being a key striker. He had exceeded expectations in his loan spell, so why shouldn’t the manager give him the chance to shine after two years of toil? As history suggests, there is a jinx – big money strikers just haven’t worked at Chelsea. So why were they chasing one inspite of having a player ready to fill the role, only if given his well-deserved chance?

And then, Samuel Eto’o arrived out of nowhere, for peanuts. A big name no doubt, but what extra could the 32 year old striker bring into the team apart from experience? This was a signing completely against the club’s recent policy of buying young and quick players. It seemed like a huge roadblock in front of the duo of Ba and Lukaku. How would they fit in now?

Was this one of the owner’s fancy signings? Or was Mourinho acting on a well laid plan which nobody could comprehend initially?

Thoughts go back to pre-season, where Lukaku featured and scored in almost every game. The manager had declared that he will have a huge part to play, and specifically, not be loaned out again this season. What could have prompted such a sudden change of heart?