Romelu Lukaku has “single-handedly” brought Chelsea back into the Premier League title race.
This is according to Jamie Redknapp, who claims Lukaku’s performance at Aston Villa on Sunday has given the Blues significant hope of overtaking Manchester City at the top.
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The striker came up with the score 1–1 after half-time and scored his first goal since September on 56 minutes and Jorginho converted during stoppage time before earning a penalty.
The 28-year-old recently returned to action for Chelsea after a long battle with injury and COVID-19.
Redknapp was mesmerized by the Belgium international’s performance against Villa and indicated he could be a focal point behind a potential title push.
The former Liverpool star told Sky Sports: “Lukaku has single-handedly brought his team back in this title race.
“They needed something, they needed a spark and that’s exactly what it brought. They weren’t going fast in the first half, the manager was scratching his head wondering ‘what should I do?’
“The obvious thing was to bring him in, because he fought so much with Christian Pulisic as that No. 9 in the first half.
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Pulisic was threatened by Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa. It was too easy for them. But when Mings collided with his goalkeeper a minute after Lukaku arrived, he knew he was going to fight for the next 45 minutes It set the speed
“From the first minute when he came that was all the difference he made. He added to that confidence. Everything started clicking.
“You can play from deep, you can play it from behind, that gives you that focal point and you can put that in that … it gives them something completely different.
“They saw a completely different proposition with him up front and when they can get their best players on the pitch – N’Golo Kante, Lukaku – Chelsea look a better side. And of course, they are in the race for the title. I am correct.
“City and Liverpool are the best teams for me right now, but Chelsea will have to hope that City may have a blip or things don’t go their way.
“But if Chelsea are to win it, Lukaku is going to play a bigger role.”
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