According to what has been reported by Sky Sport, Jordan Lukaku will be joining Newcastle United on loan for the rest of this season. Lukaku, 24, will go on loan to join his brother in England; with the Belgian left-back being purchasable by Newcastle at any time in his spell with the club.
But, what can Newcastle expect from Lukaku?
It is safe to say that Lukaku has had a mixed spell with Lazio; offering some pace and flair down the left side as a substitute but often struggling with both consistency and fitness. The most minutes Lukaku has played in a match this season? Just 62 minutes, little over an hour. In his two and a half seasons at Lazio, the Belgian has started just 26 games in all competitions – coming on as a sub a further 36 times. It is Lukaku’s lack of fitness that can be blamed for Lazio shipping him out on loan – combined with the fact that the defender nearly signed for West Ham United in the summer alongside former Lazio man Felipe Anderson.
Lukaku, when he is fit and on form, can provide a valuable attacking emphasis down the left flank. He is one of Lazio’s fastest players and it is this pace, combined with a fairly deft touch on the ball, that can make him a real danger. When used as a substitute, Lukaku offers a lot but, as aforementioned, struggles with his fitness – it being the reason Roberto Martinez did not select him for Belgium’s World Cup squad, despite Lukaku having already featured for the national side.
Jordan Lukaku, however, is fairly two-dimensional as a player – lacking the shooting, passing and consistency required to be a multi-dimensional and effective winger. He will give Newcastle some speed and energy – but only in short bursts and, although he can be creative; he is generally limited in terms of his play-style. Felipe Anderson’s move to the Premier League has been a success and this will bring Lukaku optimism as he embarks on his new adventure.
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