We need to stop thinking about pressure-free chance creation. It's really, really hard in this league to walk the ball into the net. We need to be able to score goals in pressure situations, where defenders are doing their job and the striker/forward breaks through. Take the two goals by Bale against Liverpool. Both freaks, of course, but it took extraordinary skill and power for Bale to take those shots, which can't be described as pressure-free shots. There was no "pressure" on the second goal, and of course the keeper botched it, but he put so much power on that shot that it created a keeper nightmare and Karius wasn't up to the challenge. But even if he hadn't botched it, Karius might have allowed a spilled ball for a cleanup by one of Bale's teammates. On the first goal, well, there are no words. But it wasn't a pressure-free chance and it took extraordinary ability to pull it off. Do we have have anyone on the squad who could come anywhere close to scoring either goal? I don't think so.
Lukaku does not believe he gets the praise he deserves from Belgium fans. www.squawka.com/news/romelu-lukaku-on-lack-of-belgium-praise-has-everything-been-forgotten-not-yet/1038523 The complaint from Belgium fans is the same as the overall criticism of him in general. And that he fails to show up in big games/moments: it's really what it comes down to. And it's not totally unreasonable either. If Belgium has any real hopes of going far in Russia, he's one of the guys who really need to step it up (Hazard is another). Flip the script and score some goals,especially in the knockout rounds and people will get off his back and give him the praise he wants. His record for Belgium is actually very good, but important, pressure type games is where he's still find wanting (just as is the case in his club career).
That second goal by Bale was not a "keeper nightmare" in the least. It was a massive ******** up by the keeper, plain and simple. Most top level keepers will stop that shot 99/100 times. It was average power, nothing special though. The keeper had a very good view of the ball. Ball movement was present but within the reasonable realm to stop and he had 25+ yards of time to react. The fact he easily got both hands to it speak to that fact. But, his technique was poor and his wrists weak. He wasn't concentrating properly. That's about it really.
I think we’re saying the same thing but I was just trying to give some credit to Bale for the power on his shot. But, of course, any keeper at this level should have handled it without too much trouble. That said, you get the touché on this occasion.
Lukaku credits Carrick for making him a better player. www.espn.com/soccer/manchester-united/story/3519467/manchester-uniteds-romelu-lukaku-michael-carrick-made-me-a-better-player?src=com 4th-5th player this season I believe who have openly mentioned how much Carrick has helped them directly. It's exciting to think what he can bring to the coaching staff next season, especially as he learns and grows into the job.
With team constantly bunkering against us it’s a shame he doesn’t get to use his speed more often. .@RomeluLukaku9 got wheels ⚡ pic.twitter.com/lbSSNIv7E5— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 13, 2018
Romelu Lukaku for the Players Tribune. www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/romelu-lukaku-ive-got-some-things-to-say
It's official: @RomeluLukaku9 signs for PUMA.From B/R Football x @PumaFootball pic.twitter.com/LuM0HFo6Kc— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 18, 2018
Excellent article. Had me tearing up. "They don’t have to check the I.D. anymore. They know our name."
Always love reading articles from the Players Tribune as they're written by the players/coaches themselves and usually are about the more deeply personal (and sometimes emotional) stuff. Didn't know about Lukaku struggling as a kid, always believed because he came from a family where his father played football that they were middle class at least. But that explains a lot in regards to his personality and him as a man. I'm down big time with Lukaku, the man. Good player too, but just solid as they come as a man.
Lukaku already has an excellent goalscoring record, but he is far from the finished article. www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2018/06/22/romelu-lukakus-goalscoring-rate-already-remarkable-far-finished/ Still a relatively young player, who is about to enter his prime years as a striker. And it will be interesting to see how he develops in the coming 2-3yrs. Under the right circumstances, who knows where he can end up. His attitude however and emotional maturity are still what impresses me the most about him. When as
Romelu Lukaku is 25 years and 41 days old - he has 40 goals in 71 caps 👏 At the same age 👇⚽️ Cristiano Ronaldo had 22 goals in 69 caps⚽️ Lionel Messi had 26 goals in 70 caps⚽️ Wayne Rooney had 26 goals in 68 caps#BELTUN #WorldCup #bbcworldcup pic.twitter.com/KIIha08F3V— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) June 23, 2018
A lot of people have said DDG is the only truly world class player we have, hopefully this world cup will make people realise Romelu Lukaku should be added to that short list
Does Lukaku deserve more credit? www.skysports.com/football/news/12098/11414513/romelu-lukaku-does-the-belgium-and-manchester-united-striker-deserve-more-credit
Yes he does. If his touch is not Dinho like does not mean he cannot one of the best strikers. He has to keep scoring and he will. The combination of his physical attributes and skills is balanced.
What Lukaku has shown this season, both with United and with Belgium, is that as long as he is surrounded by quality players who can provide good service for him, he can turn out to be a top level striker, one of the best in the game in the coming years. He's done very well in his maiden season with United, but he can do much better if he gets some help and the team plays in a more progressive manner. Kane, for instance, benefits of that with Spurs and if Lukaku can get as close to the number of opportunities Kane does, he can easily reach 30 goals in the league alone. We're seeing it with Belgium right now and hopefully he can enjoy the same with United going forward.
Lukaku has an elite brain - Martinez www.goal.com/en/news/lukaku-has-an-elite-brain-says-martinez/f6dgr7v0ost21czfll052j0wv His vital part in Chadli's game winner vs Japan alone, is proof of that. It also reflects how unselfish and truly dedicated to winning. Most strikers in his position would have taken their chance to be the hero and/or pad their own stats. If this WC is a preview of what we can expect from him next term with United, it's exciting stuff. Let's hope he gets the help he needs and above all, is put in a position to just blow up and take his game to the next level.
Watching him play right now reminds me of the fact that it was a good buy to get him but that we do not surround him with enough World class help. Same goes for Pogba.