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Lukaku's Roma form suggests time may be up in the Eternal City
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Dan Fitch
LiveScore
Romelu Lukaku has struggled to score regularly in 2024
Romelu Lukaku has struggled to score regularly in 2024

Romelu Lukaku faces another summer of uncertainty at the end of this season.

The 30-year-old striker is currently on loan at Roma, where he has the chance to convince the Serie A side to make the deal permanent.

Should he fail, then the Belgian will return to Chelsea, who be looking to move him on.

Ahead of Roma's Europa League knockout round play-off second leg against Feyenoord tonight, we look at Lukaku's season so far and his future options.

Goal drought

Lukaku has scored 16 times in 31 games for Roma this season.

Yet that record has been somewhat padded by six goals from seven Europa League appearances. In Serie A, he has scored nine times in 22 games.

Only one of those goals have come from the Belgian international's last eight matches in the Italian top flight.

After the sacking of Jose Mourinho last month, club legend Daniele De Rossi has improved the team's fortunes, with Lukaku scoring twice during the new manager's six-game reign.

The most recent of those goals came in the first leg 1-1 draw with tonight's opponents. Afterwards, the forward spoke about his struggles and life under a different coach.

Lukaku said: "I was coming off a difficult stretch. For a striker who hasn't scored a goal for a long time, it's difficult.

"I continued to work and do the things the coach asked of me. Then today I was lucky with the goal, because I hit it a little badly.

"It's a shame we didn't win because we had the opportunities to do so. We are growing, with a new training system. The coach wants us to play and have personality with the ball."

Predictable criticism

Only five men have scored more Serie A goals than Romelu Lukaku this season
Only five men have scored more Serie A goals than Romelu Lukaku this season

Earlier this week, former Italian international Angelo Di Livio, who started his career at Roma, criticised Lukaku's style of play since joining the club.

He said: "Lukaku had other characteristics in previous seasons.

"He was very strong, you could never catch him, while now he is changing his type of game.

"He comes to meet you, he only plays with his back to the goal and he's ruining himself because he is predictable and lazy.

"I don't want him to be training to only play this game with his back to goal.

"Because a good striker must know how to play with his back to the goal and then attack."

While De Livio's criticism is valid, there is a question as to whether Lukaku's change in style is a tactical decision, or a necessity caused by his advancing years and fitness issues.

Future plans

Roma manager Daniele De Rossi needs Romelu Lukaku to fire against Feyenoord
Roma manager Daniele De Rossi needs Romelu Lukaku to fire against Feyenoord

Lukaku was asked about his career plans after the first leg in Rotterdam.

He said: "It makes no sense to talk about the future now. I want to help Roma win.

"There are positive and negative moments, the life of a footballer is like this.

"I'm living a dream. I play in a league that has given me so much, in the end I want to do everything to help Roma win."

If Lukaku can rediscover the form he showed when he first moved to the Eternal City, they may well try to keep him but not for the £37million fee that was negotiated with Chelsea last year.

There has been interest from Saudi Arabia too and that might be the most realistic route if the Blues hope to recoup a major sum for the striker.

Tags

RomaSerie AEuropa LeagueChelseaRomelu Lukaku
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