Chelsea captain Gary Cahill says ‘world class’ Romelu Lukaku is just one of the threats Manchester United pose

REUTERS/David Klein
Simon Johnson16 May 2018

Chelsea captain Gary Cahill believes Romelu Lukaku has become a world class striker since leaving Stamford Bridge and could make them pay at the FA Cup Final.

Lukaku started just one League game for the Blues after joining from Anderlecht for £18m in 2011 and moved to Everton for £28m three years later.

Chelsea tried to buy him back last summer, but he moved to Manchester United instead for an initial £75m.

The Belgium international became the fifth youngest player to reach the tally of 100 Premier League goals in April and is now aiming to pick up his first winners' medal by leading Manchester United to victory over Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.

Cahill is well aware Lukaku is a different player to the one he saw struggle at Chelsea and said: "When he was here, he had talent but he was very young. He’s developed into a world-class striker so credit to him.

"Sometimes when you’re at a club like Chelsea you feel sorry when you see a player move on. Naturally some progress and some don’t, but you don’t hear about the ones that don’t.

"We all know it’s hard to have time to come in as a young player - maybe the club and the supporters give you seven, eight, nine games where you’re rusty and not performing. It’s difficult to do that.

"They’ve then gone on and developed elsewhere and he’s gone on to be a top player. I’ve played and trained against him loads of times and it’ll be difficult (on Saturday)."

Lukaku has proven his worth against Chelsea on two notable occasions. He scored a brace for Everton to knock them out of the FA Cup Quarter final two years ago.

The 25-year-old also found the net and created the winner in Manchester United's 2-1 League victory in February.

Cahill added: "Everyone can see his attributes: pace, power, strength and he can finish. His goal-scoring record is very good.

"But we’re not focusing on one player in their team. We’re respectful of the fact that they have numerous players who can turn a game on its head, as do we."

Chelsea failed to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three years after finishing in a disappointing fifth place.

But Cahill has suggested that lifting the FA Cup this season will live longer in the memory than if they had merely claimed a top four spot.

When asked if claiming the trophy would compensate for missing out on the Champions League, he replied: "I can only speak honestly for myself, maybe the club thinks differently. For myself it’s about winning competitions.

"We fell short in the other competitions but we’ve not fallen short in this one yet. We’re in the final against a good team, but it’s about winning trophies.

"Obviously we’re disappointed not to be in the Champions League, but if it were a choice between not qualifying for the Champions League for six-seven years and not winning anything, I’d definitely swap."

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