Romelu Lukaku makes big statement about his ability after sealing Chelsea return

Romelu Lukaku will make his long-awaited second debut for Chelsea and don the coveted number nine shirt when they take on north London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

It’s 10 years since the Belgian first signed for the SW6 outfit for £18million from Anderlecht.

He was quickly shifted out on loan before being sold for £28m to Everton. He had various destinations before Chelsea forked out a club record £97m to get him back on a five-year deal.

Lukaku feels that he is a much better player than the one that left the Premier League for Inter Milan.

“The last two years have been great for me,”  he said. “I’ve matured since I was last in the Premier League, I’ve become more complete – in Italy, it was more technical and tactical.

“I’ve also learnt about what it takes to win, It’s the right move for me in my career to come back. I don’t have to prove myself to anyone – I’m a self-motivator.

“Antonio Conte [Inter Milan manager] showed me what it took to win, to push the barriers. Conte told us how to go through the red zone. We were more consistent in winning games and winning the big games against your rivals.

“I had to make the right run or movement to bring other players into the game. Everything was going through me. Conte told me if I couldnt do it, I wouldn’t play.”

Tammy Abraham – the player he replaced – has ended his long association with Chelsea and rejoined ex-Blues manager Jose Mourinho and moved to AS Roma in a £40m deal.

Camberwell-born Abraham scored 30 goals in 82 appearances for the club at senior level, and was part of the squad which triumphed in the Champions League and Super Cup this year.

It’s believed there is a £70m buy-back clause that comes into force after two seasons.

Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin believes Abraham could reach the heights of Didier Drogba.

Nevin told Big Gambler compared Abraham to Lukaku and backed the English striker to become an even better player.

Nevin said: “I’ve been watching Tammy Abraham in pre-season and something’s happened that I’ve been waiting three seasons for – his physique has changed.

“People will look at Lukaku when he was at Chelsea the first time and he didn’t get many games, then he goes on to be Man United and Belgium’s leading goal scorer.

“He’s been a brilliant player wherever he goes, and people will be thinking the same about Tammy, because he will fill out.

“Didier Drogba didn’t hit his real career form until mid-20s and I think the same could happen with Tammy.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a mistake to let him go, but if Tammy would have stayed for the next four years, then he would have been a fabulous striker for Chelsea.

“The problem is that it would be unfair for Tammy to sit on the bench, so a move away was needed more for himself.

“The perfect situation for Chelsea would have been what they always do, loan players out at big clubs for two or three seasons and then they come back the finished product.

“I think one day Tammy could come back the finished article and lead the line for Chelsea.”

Michy Batshuayi, another unwanted striker,  extended his Chelsea contract until 2023 before joining Besiktas on loan for the season.

Since arriving at Chelsea for £34m from Marseille in the summer of 2016, Batshuayi, 27, has scored 25 goals in 77 appearances for the Blues.

The forward had just returned to the Bridge from his second loan spell in the Premier League with Crystal Palace. He said: “I’m very, very happy to join Besiktas.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for me and I’m already looking forward to playing. Thank you to all the fans for the crazy welcome at Istanbul.”