Player Focus: Is Romelu Lukaku The Striker Chelsea Need?

How would one go about replacing soon-to-be-outgoing striker Didier Drogba? A player of his physical supremacy, not to mention his ability to lead the frontline with the standard expected of a striker that stands at 6ft 2in and built like a heavyweight boxer - it's fair to say Fernando Torres can't replicate the performances of his former Ivorian team-mate. 

Chelsea appeared to have addressed the matter with relative ease, securing the big money signing of Romelu Lukaku. The powerful Belgian, dubbed 'The Next Drogba' as a result of the player's similar powerfully built frame, arrived at Stamford Bridge almost two years ago with Drogba, unbeknownst to Blues fans at the time, a little under 12 months away from departing for Galatasaray, via Shanghai Shenhua.

A lack of playing time in his debut year at Stamford Bridge under first Andre Villas-Boas, then Roberto Di Matteo following the former's sacking, saw the teenager questioning his long term future at the club. 12 senior appearances, a majority of which were from the substitute bench, saw the need for first team action grow significantly, if only to see the 19-year-old fulfil the immense potential he showed at Anderlecht. 

It came as a little surprise to have seen him loaned out last summer following the lack of action, despite Drogba departing Stamford Bridge following his exploits in Munich. Torres was charged with leading the frontline, with Roman Abramovich keen to see his £50m investment impress, and Lukaku was shipped out for the year to West Bromwich Albion. 

With Steve Clarke's previous Chelsea links, the move made logistical sense in that he'd be under the watchful eyes of a former Blues coach, while the likelihood of attaining regular Premier League experience improved significantly as a result. 

And it's the Baggies that are reaping the benefits of Lukaku spending time with them. 14 goals and four assists in 31 appearances this season - 14 of which have been from the bench - has seen the young Belgium international directly contribute to 39.1% of West Brom's goals this season as they enjoy their most successful Premier League campaign to date. 

Much has been made of the achievements of the Midlands side under Clarke, and for good reason. For the team that regularly yo-yo'd between the Premier League and Championship, to have attained 48 points at this stage in the season is a remarkable feat from the 49-year-old. 

The astute acquisitions of Goran Popov and Claudio Yacob, not to mention the permanent arrival of Ben Foster and the loan signing of Lukaku has significantly bolstered their strength in depth across the pitch and the Belgian's presence in the frontline has aided West Brom to score the joint third highest counter attack goals with Tottenham Hotspur (5), and only Aston Villa (6) and Arsenal (7) are ahead of them in the ranking.

Of those five, three have been scored by Lukaku, with the powerful frontman in joint first place for the accolade, alongside Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Edin Dzeko and Andreas Weimann. Dzeko's strikes from such situations have accounted for 75% of City's goals on the break, with Lukaku and Bale netting 60% of their sides' tallies, and Weimann and Walcott following the trio with 50% and 42% respectively. 

However, Lukaku's three counter attacking goals have come from his nine efforts when West Brom have looked to catch their opposition on the break, with a conversion rate of 33.3%. That figure is better than that of Bale (23%) but worse than Dzeko (37.5%), Walcott and Weimann (both 42.8%). 

Furthermore, the nine counter attacking efforts Lukaku has attempted have come from West Brom's total of 22 attempts following a fast break, meaning the Belgian has taken 40.9% of the Baggies' counter attacking shots, and scored with 13.6% of those. 

In comparison, Walcott has netted 8.5% of Arsenal's counter attacking shots - the worst of the aforementioned quintet - with Bale on 9.1%, Dzeko 10.7% and Weimann 15%, the highest figure of the five players. 

Over the course of the season, Lukaku has also struck the woodwork the joint second most times (6) along with Luis Suarez, Olivier Giroud and Bale, and sits just one place behind Robin van Persie on seven, further emphasising his impact on the West Brom frontline. 

This is again accentuated in that his 14 goals is the highest in the entire Baggies squad, with Shane Long seven behind him, while Lukaku currently attempts the most shots per game in the team at a rate of 2.7, with Peter Odemwingie second behind the teenager with 2.1. 

Yet, when compared to compatriot Christian Benteke, who also signed this season but for rivals Aston Villa, Lukaku's figure is eclipsed by that of the 22-year-old, with the former attempting 3.2 shots per game. Benteke has struck the woodwork just once this season compared to Lukaku's six, highlighting his improved prolificacy in front of goal, with the Villans' frontman currently sitting on 18 goals following a hat trick in the 6-1 win over Sunderland, four more than his Belgian international teammate. 

Benteke again is the more dominant in the air having won 261 of his aerial duels this season compared to Lukaku's 64. Although it can be argued the former is stronger with his head, the latter is better with the ball at his feet having completed 70.5% of his passes compared to Benteke's 64.9%, not to mention more dribbles (28) than his compatriot's 20. 

Regardless of Benteke becoming a key figure in his respective side's starting XI, it's evident that Lukaku is an important member of the West Brom first team and with his loan spell expiring at the end of the season, Chelsea could certainly benefit from his presence in the frontline. 

While the Blues have been linked with the likes of Radamel Falcao and Edinson Cavani when the transfer window reopens, once again throwing the youngster's future into doubt, the performances of Lukaku this season under Clarke will have certainly impressed Chelsea, especially with his 16.9% conversion rate a significant mark up on Torres' 10.8%.