Dream Team Euros gaffers once again divided on complex issue of Romelu Lukaku – when will he deliver overdue returns?
FEW players in world football are as captivating as Romelu Lukaku (£5.5m).
The 31-year-old striker is unplayable at his best but unwatchable at his worst.
So far at Euro 2024, it’s not his form that has come under scrutiny but his luck, or lack thereof to be more accurate.
Dream TeamThe curious case of Romelu Lukaku[/caption]
But for a few inches here and there, Belgium’s No10 would currently be leading the Golden Boot race as well as the Dream Team Euros rankings.
As it is, he is yet to score a legitimate goal and while his return of 12 points from two games isn’t a disaster, a sizeable chunk of Dream Team Euros managers are now understandably conflicted over the target man’s viability.
Firstly, Lukaku had two goals disallowed against Slovakia in Matchday 1, one for a narrow offside and the other for a contentious handball given against Lois Openda (£3.5m) in the build-up.
His luck seemed to have turned against Romania in Matchday 2 when he provided an assist for Youri Tielemans (£4m) inside two minutes but that proved to be a false dawn.
Lukaku confidently slotted home a one-on-one chance in the second half only for the goal to be overturned by VAR for the smallest offside fraction imaginable – a slither of his kneecap deemed to be goal-side of the last defender.
AFPLukaku’s pinpoint finish against Romania was ruled out by VAR[/caption]
In the pre-VAR age, Lukaku would have three goals to his name and the 22.9% of Dream Team Euros bosses currently backing him would be immensely satisfied with his returns.
The reality is that almost a quarter of gaffers will have a big decision to make on whether they stick by him for the knockouts if the Red Devils get out of Group E, in which all four teams are locked on three points each prior to Wednesday’s decisive fixtures.
If Lukaku breaks his hoodoo to steer Domenico Tedesco’s side to victory against Ukraine this week then his backers will be much more inclined to keep the faith, depending on his Matchday 4 fixture of course.
Belgium’s all-time top scorer has had other chances to score at this tournament – Martin Dubravka (£1.5m) denied him with a fantastic close-range save – and so his bad luck isn’t the only factor.
Lukaku was the only player to register five shots on target across the first two Matchdays and those who watched his performances will know he posed a threat.
However, with the decisive moments not going his way so far, some gaffers may feel it simply isn’t happening for him and will seek a fitting replacement.
ReutersBoth Morata and Lukaku cost £5.5m in Dream Team Euros[/caption]
It’s notable that Alvaro Morata (£5.5m) is the same price as Lukaku and therefore a tempting option given Spain’s impressive form.
La Roja’s captain also has a reputation for blowing hot and cold but he’s banked 19 points via a goal and an assist in his first two outings is likely to be a popular recruit ahead of the knockouts.
With unlimited transfers available before Matchday 4, gaffers can play around with various combinations this week as the round of 16 fills out.
If Belgium end up topping their group thanks to a Lukaku goal then he’s a relatively easy hold but another so-close-yet-so-far performance might be the last straw.
