As one of the trendy favourites in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Belgium and Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku are expected to make a significant impact on the global stage this summer. However, the talented forward’s performances for his nation could ultimately produce an influence on his future club career as well.
The 25-year-old arrived at Old Trafford last summer amidst a massive transfer deal from Everton. Lukaku was a true goalscoring force for the Toffees and was certainly able to live up to his reputation for United in some respects with 27 goals across all competitions for the 2017-18 campaign.
However, critics pointed towards other areas of his game as a negative, and that normally focused on his efforts in “big games”. The questions come from his record against elite clubs, as Lukaku scored only one goal against top-six sides this past season (versus Chelsea in February). While it is an understandable criticism, there is probably plenty of blame to go around for the entire line-up along with him instead of Lukaku alone for these struggles.
For Belgium, he prepares for their opening Group G match of the World Cup against Panama high on confidence, and in great form for the national team. In his last 27 international games, Lukaku has scored an absurdly impressive 25 goals.
With size, strength and a quality touch on the ball, he is a striker that any manager would want up front. Belgium boast immense talent around him like Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, and there is no reason that they cannot make a deep run in this tournament. If they do, it will only bring benefits for Manchester United ahead of the new term.
Confidence at a new level
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2pUw-GbGBg
If the Red Devils and manager Jose Mourinho are going to close the gap on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, they will need Lukaku to be at his very best throughout the season. It is not easy to maintain high goalscoring numbers for months at a time, but the striker has shown he is capable of such production.
If Lukaku turns in a strong showing in Russia with Belgium (or perhaps captures the World Cup’s Golden Boot), he will be full of confidence and ready to take on the top flight once again with United in a ferocious way. Of course, this theory could technically work in the opposite direction also.
Struggles in the final third during this summer could carry over to pre-season and beyond with United, but Lukaku certainly seems ready for the challenge with Belgium.
The tremendous amount of money involved with his transfer and a move to one of the giants of English football in 2017 brought immense pressure for him, so his output in the first year should deserve some praise. Now with the FIFA World Cup for Belgium as a springboard to success, Romelu Lukaku could be ready to contribute in an even more significant way for Manchester United in 2018-19.
