The decision to sell Romelu Lukaku to Everton in July 2014 was one greeted with mixed emotions by Chelsea fans, especially after the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Juan Mata had both been sold at the beginning of the year.
Some were devastated to see the Belgian go, some were admiring the £28 million price tag the club sold him for and the rest were somewhere in-between.
There can be no mixed emotions over whether it was the right move for Lukaku, however, as the striker has gone from strength to strength during his time with Everton.
The Belgian was sold in the same summer Diego Costa and Loic Remy were both signed for the club, while a familiar face in Didier Drogba had also returned, so it’s fair to say Lukaku was free-falling down the pecking order at Chelsea, despite scoring 15 league goals on loan at Everton in the 2013/14 season.
However, the striker revealed earlier this week that he would not sign a new contract with the Toffees as he wants to be remembered for winning trophies; something he can’t see happening at Goodison Park.
And with his previous club on course for a possible league and cup double this season, and amidst the ongoing rumours of Diego Costa wanting a move back to Atletico Madrid or a move to China, suggestions that Lukaku could be on his way back to Stamford Bridge in the summer, have surfaced.
We’ve identified the pros and cons of Chelsea re-signing the Belgian.
Pro - Goalscorer
Lukaku left Chelsea as a raw talent but would return as a proven, out-and-out goalscorer in the Premier League.
The Belgian is the league’s joint-top scorer this season with 19 goals and has scored 81 in 156 appearances for the Merseyside club, including the loan spell before his permanent move.
Should Costa leave in the summer, Conte would need to replace one proven goalscorer with another. Lukaku fits the bill.
Con - Price
Should Chelsea go for Lukaku, they would have to pay over double what they sold the Belgian for.
Everton appear to have set a fee of at least £60million for the striker, which Chelsea could afford, but are there better striker’s out there for a similar price?
With respect to Lukaku, the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Edinson Cavani and Paulo Dybala are all considered to be more established strikers at a higher level than Lukaku, though there is no doubt the Belgian is capable of reaching that level.
Pro - Ambition
Lukaku wants to be one of the best in the world, and he would join a growing list of players looking to reach those heights at Stamford Bridge.
The striker stated earlier this week that he wants to be remembered for winning trophies and scoring goals, something he would have the platform to do at Chelsea.
Con - Playing Style
The way Everton are set up under Ronald Koeman suits Lukaku down to the ground.
If anything, Koeman has set his side up to play to the Belgian’s strengths, with the three attacking midfielders behind the striker always looking to play him in and create goalscoring chances.
Could he adapt to a different way of playing under Conte?
Pro - Physicality
Conte likes to have a physical presence up top, and he would certainly have that with Lukaku.
The Chelsea boss had eyed a move for Swansea’s Fernando Llorente in January to bolster the Blues’ attacking threat, but Lukaku is a younger, hungrier and more dangerous player than the ageing Spaniard.
Con - Price Tag Pressure
The pressure that comes with a big money move can be too difficult to handle, as Chelsea fans are well aware of: Fernando Torres’ £50 million move to Stamford Bridge a prime example.
Could Lukaku handle the pressure of leading the line with a £60 million price tag on his shoulders?