I was reading this article here (fascinating read btw) and I noticed a quote from the Anderlecht Academy Head on Lukaku.
http://www.theguardian.com/football...print-gave-birth-golden-generation-world-cup-
“My ambition was to have more hours to develop young boys,” he says. “Lukaku, you have to know, we took him when he was under-13. He was a good player but not very good technically. He was fast and strong but we had to polish him.”
For me that suggests that he had a very low threshold of technical ability at 12/13, by which time you would expect most kids who go on to be pros to be at least decent if not good in that area. We all see Lukaku occasionally have the first touch and hold up play, but its not consistent. However to decry him and say he wont improve in that area is utter bollocks. Speaking from personal experience, my first touch and technical ability improved immeasurably when I put the hard work into gaining consistency in my touches. If he goes through, works hard and develops that consistency there is no reason why he wont go on to be a world beater. Its not that its not there its that it isnt consistent. This was his first season playing as a hold up striker with his back to goal and despite that he still showed that he had the ability to do it at times. At the end of the day, hes still only just turned 21, has scored 15 goals in the last two seasons in the prem, and based on that along will be worth 20million easily and will continue to be worth 20million if not more if he continues to score at that rate. These shouts of buy him for 12 rising to 20 with addons are DAFT. You clearly know nothing about the going market rate within football for a 15 goal striker, let alone one who has done it twice in the Premier League and is ONLY 21.
Roberto Soldado, 25 goal season for Valencia, 26million. A remarkable 6 goals in the league.
Stefan Jovetic, 13 goal season for Florentina, 22million. A remarkable 3 goals in the league
Alvaro Negredo, 25 goal season for a debt burdened Sevilla, sold him at the bargain price of 20million. A remarkable 9 goals in the league.
Dani Osvaldo, 16 goal season for Roma, 15million. 3 goals in the league.
Wilfried Bony 31 goal season for Vitesse, 12 million. 16 goals in the league.
Andy Carroll. 7 goal season for West Ham and Liverpool, 15million. 2 goals in the league.
Bony is the exception to the rule on this one that you can get a quality striker for under 20.
Especially when buying from other leagues. You only have to look at the wolfswinkel. Signed for 8.5million after scoring 15 goals for Sporting, scored only once versus us.
Also mentions Altidore for the lols. 6.5million after a 23goal season for AZ. 1 goal.
Spending that 20million/25million is as close to an even money bet, as you will get a young striker who is a proven goal scorer in the league, fits our system and knows our players and the manager, and has plenty of potential to improve. And I stand by that. Far less of a risk than buying elsewhere.
