ROMELU LUKAKU has “single-handedly” put Chelsea back in the Premier League title race.
That is according to Jamie Redknapp, who claims Lukaku’s performance on Sunday at Aston Villa has given the Blues significant hope of overtaking Manchester City at the top.
The striker came on after half-time with the score 1-1 and netted his first goal since September on 56 minutes before earning a penalty that Jorginho converted during stoppage time.
The 28-year-old returned to action only recently for Chelsea following a long battle with injury and COVID-19.
Redknapp was mesmerised by the Belgium international’s performance against Villa and hinted he could be a focal point behind a potential title push.
The former Liverpool star told Sky Sports: “Lukaku has single-handedly got his team back in this title race.
“They needed something, they needed a spark and that’s exactly what he brought. In the first half they were going nowhere fast, the manager was scratching his head thinking ‘what do I do?’
“The obvious thing was to bring him on, because they struggled so much with Christian Pulisic in the first half as that No9.
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“Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa had bullied Pulisic. It was too easy for them. But when Mings crashed into his goalkeeper a minute after Lukaku came on, they knew they were going to be in a fight for the next 45 minutes. That set the tempo.
“From minute one when he came on he just made such a difference. He added that confidence. Everything started to click.
“You could play from deep, you could play it in behind, he gives you that focal point and you can pop it into him… He gives them something completely different.
“They looked a completely different proposition with him up front and when they can get their best players on the pitch – N’Golo Kante, Lukaku – Chelsea look a much better side. And of course, they’re right in this title race.
“City and Liverpool are right now, for me, the best teams, but Chelsea have to hope City maybe have a blip or things don’t go their way.
“But if Chelsea are to win it, Lukaku is going to play a massive part.”
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