Chelsea Transfer News: Loaning Romelu Lukaku to Everton Was the Wrong Move

Loaning an established Premier League talent like Romelu Lukaku before Monday’s transfer deadline was absolutely the wrong move for Chelsea.

It’s really too bad too, as the 20-year-old’s dream to become a star at Stamford Bridge will have to be put on hold for at least another season. The striker’s loan to Everton was announced on Monday evening, just hours before the transfer deadline, according to Graeme Yorke of the Daily Mail.

Hopes were high that Lukaku could step into a full-time role for Chelsea. But the free transfer of Samuel Eto’o this summer seems to have marginalized Lukaku's importance to the club. Well, that depends on who you’re asking.

Jose Mourinho—the guy calling the shots—apparently thinks Lukaku will benefit from another season away from West London due to his crowded lineup. Still, it’s hard to get on board with that thinking.

The Belgian international was phenomenal last season at West Brom, becoming an integral facet of their attack. He earned a PFA Young Player of the Year nomination as a result of his 17-goal performance for the Baggies.

Keeping the 20-year-old at Stamford Bridge would have been an excellent chance for him to get meaningful playing time with his teammates. As a result of the transfer, Blues will miss out on a great opportunity to develop chemistry and build towards the future.

With Demba Ba, Fernando Torres and Eto’o seeing significant time on the pitch, Chelsea will not be as young and likely not as explosive as they could have been up front with Lukaku leading or supplementing their attack. It’s a move that makes sense if you’re Mourinho: Trust the experience over the youth.

But even if Lukaku didn’t crack the starting XI, he would have provided plenty of quality minutes as a substitute. Most of his 17 goals at West Brom came in that role. Surely, Chelsea could have utilized him in some way. Those 17 goals were the sixth most in the EPL last season and also more than any player from Stamford Bridge.

Now, we’ll just have to wait another long season to see how great the youngster can be in Blue and White.