This transfer window is surely a window of homecoming. Reportedly Paul Pogba returning to Manchester United for £100million, and another player is also mooted to return to his old club.

Romelu Lukaku was touted to be the 'next Didier Drogba'. But Lukaku left Chelsea for £28million and now rumoured to return to Chelsea for a reported fee of £68million.

With that amount of money involved, will he displace Costa? Should Chelsea spend such an amount?

Let’s find out...

Physical Attributes

Romelu Lukaku

Out of all the strikers in the world, Romelu Lukaku is blessed with great physical attributes. Possessing Strength with good speed, Lukaku has the means to comply with the physical nature of Premier League and surely possesses the ingredients to be a great striker. Injuries hasn’t been much of a concern for the Belgian as 30+ matches for his respective club each season.

Like Lukaku, Diego Costa is a strong striker too. In a tussle with the defenders, Lukaku relies on his physical attributes whereas Costa relies on his aggression.

Nonetheless, Costa has outplayed his markers. But Costa has found it difficult to play as his injuries (especially hamstring) has prevented him from making more than 30 premier league appearances for Chelsea in his two years with the Londoners.

Goals

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Lukaku scored a total of 25 goals last season and 20 goals two seasons back. It’s a good record but the price tag of £68 million is a cause of worry for the Chelsea fans as the Belgian has not been prolific as Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Sergio Aguero. Nonetheless, Lukaku has the time to improve as he is now 23 years old.

In his first season at Chelsea, Diego Costa bagged 20 goals and helped Chelsea to clinch the Premier League. Shockingly, Costa had failed to score in any other competition than the Premier League and a dip in form last season manage a meagre of 16 goals in all competitions is a cause of concern.

Chances Created

Romelu Lukaku

Premier League has witnessed teams deploying a single striker system (4-3-2-1 or 4-2-3-1) and a striker is expected to even score more goals and create chances as defensive duties for the strikers can be eased off.

Costa has been much of a target man and so is soundly beaten by Lukaku in this parameter. According to Squawka.com, in two Premier League seasons, Lukaku has created 88 chances as compared to Costa’s 71.

But Interestingly, Costa raked in 16 assists in all competition as compared to Lukaku’s 14 over two seasons.

Shot Accuracy

Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku is accused of not being clinical in scoring but stats suggest otherwise. The last season in Premier League saw the Belgian posting Shot Accuracy of 56% beating Diego Costa (with 53%), tied with Sergio Aguero and was behind Jamie Vardy (57%) and Harry Kane (60%).

Seems Lukaku can be cleared of the charge now.

Discipline

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In his five seasons in England, the Belgian has been booked for 14 times and never been sent off yet.

On the other hand, owing to his aggression, Diego Costa has been booked 19 times and even has been sent off once in just two seasons in England.

Costa’s aggression does help him on winning duels against the Premier League defenders but surely can worry the manager and with suspensions following the bookings, the striker’s reliability could be questionable.

Passing

Norwich City v Everton - Barclays Premier League

Link up play is where Lukaku has particularly failed. Passing hasn’t been much accurate from the big Belgian as he successfully completed of 73% of his passes with Costa has easily beating the Belgian with 78%. Passing can be quite important for a striker in during his part in a link up play and failure in completion of passes might deter goalscoring opportunities for other players.

Conclusion

Romleu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku beats Diego Costa almost in every aforementioned parameters. Although a £68million price tag could be quite a hefty fee and questionable though as Lukaku might not guarantee 35 goals for Chelsea. But the transfer can be seen as a viable investment as Lukaku is just 23-years-old, four years younger to Diego Costa.

This could also mean an end to Costa’s spell at Chelsea and is rumoured leave Stamford Bridge for his old club, Atletico Madrid. But with Kevin Gameiro’s transfer to Atletico Madrid, Costa may have to find a new club.

And most important conclusion, Pogba and Lukaku’s rumoured returns must be a lesson for clubs to insert buy-back clause whenever possible.

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