“He matured a lot”- Italy legend backs 28-year-old star to flourish at Chelsea and makes UCL group claim

Dino Zoff tips Romelu Lukaku to go from strength to strength at Chelsea

Speaking to Capital Football (h/t Football.london), Dino Zoff has tipped Romelu Lukaku to keep reaching greater heights at Chelsea. The former Italy goalkeeper feels that Lukau can carry over his Inter Milan form into Chelsea and help them qualify for the Champions League knockouts.

Prior to his Chelsea return, Romelu Lukaku was slowly establishing himself as one of the best strikers in the game. His Manchester United stint might have been downplayed but it was after he left for Inter that he came to his own. He helped Inter lift the Serie A last season and return to Chelsea amid much fanfare, seven years after leaving.

Dino Zoff has tipped Lukaku to flourish at Chelsea (Imago Images)
Dino Zoff has tipped Lukaku to flourish at Chelsea (Imago Images)

Lukaku has not taken any tie whatsoever in settling in. On his debut, he struck a brace against Arsenal. Aston Villa endured the same and Lukaku scored a vital one against Zenit St. Petersburg as well in the Champions League opener. Now as Chelsea and Lukaku gear up to face Juventus, former Italy keeper Dono Zoff has tipped the 28-year-old to flourish at Chelsea.

“I think Lukaku will finally do well at a big English club. He matured a lot last season in Milan with Inter and can carry that form over to Chelsea. If he decided to return to England it means that he feels he can make the difference there as well. Juve and Chelsea will qualify.”

Bonucci and Lukaku could face each other again. (Imago Images)
Bonucci and Lukaku could face each other again. (Imago Images)

There was even some praise for Lukaku from a likely opponent tonight. Juventus star Leonardo Bonucci has thrown good words for the striker ahead of a possible face-off.

“Romelu Lukaku has proven himself to be a complete striker. He can win games on his own. When you come up against him you have to be switched on for 100 minutes a game. You must never engage Lukaku in a physical battle or play touch-tight. Instead, be ready to drop off because when his team has the ball, he will try to run in behind.”

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Lukaku will very likely have to step it up when Chelsea kick things off with Juve. The Blues will want to claim the top stop in the group with a win and Lukaku already has one striker to his name. It might not be easy as there are world-class defenders to contend with. But as Bonucci said, Lukaku is indeed a striker that can trouble them.