Premier League title second favourites Chelsea hope Romelu Lukaku’s goals will help them overtake Manchester City in 2021/22 says Max Liu who has the latest odds…
Chelsea are the second favourites in the Premier League outright winner market on the Exchange as they prepare to complete the signing of Romelu Lukaku from Inter.
Thomas Tuchel hopes the Belgian striker can fire his side to the title but the gulf between Chelsea 6.411/2 and Manchester City 1.748/11 in the betting shows punters think the West Londoners have a long way to go before they can challenge Pep Guardiola’s team in the league.
Chelsea won the Champions League in May, beating City in the final, but they did so without a recognised striker to spearhead their attack. Their top scorer last season in the league was midfielder Jorginho with seven.
Tuchel was unimpressed by Tammy Abraham who may follow fellow striker Olivier Giroud out of Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes next month. The manager is a fan of Timo Werner’s play but has concerns about his finishing.
Consistent goal-getter with unfinished business
Lukaku is an out and out goalscorer who has found the net consistently in Serie A and in the Premier League. He scored 47 goals in 72 Serie A appearances over two seasons at the San Siro, helping Inter to the league title last term.
He is Belgium’s all-time top goalscorer with 64 goals.
There is, however, a hint of unfinished business about his return to the Premier League.
Manchester United sold him after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer make it clear the Belgian wasn’t part of his plans even though he scored 42 goals in 96 games for the Red Devils.
His return to Stamford Bridge will come seven years after he left the west London club for Everton on a permanent deal in 2014. Jose Mourinho, who was the manager then, didn’t see Lukaku as first choice striker for his team.
If he’s prolific for the Blues as he was for Inter than he should be able to help Chelsea improve on their fourth place finish from last season.
Chelsea are 2.727/4 favourites in the Premier League winner without Man City market.
Lukaku should also be a contender in the Golden Boot market once the deal is complete.
The Premier League begins this weekend, with Chelsea hosting Crystal Palace on Saturday, and you can read previews of every match.
Source: Betfair Premier League
