Romelu
Lukaku has confirmed he will wear the No 9 shirt at Chelsea and is available
for selection against Arsenal this weekend.
The Belgium international is keen to take a leadership role in his second
stint at the London club - and says he is fully fit and available for
selection against Arsenal on Sunday.
Lukaku has returned to Chelsea in a £98m deal, after helping Inter to win
the Serie A title last season, and will take the shirt vacated by Tammy
Abraham, who has been signed by Roma.
Lukaku, who has also had Premier League stints with Everton and Manchester
United, says he is delighted to be donning the No 9 shirt and wants to act
as a leader at Stamford Bridge.
"Yes, I have the No 9 shirt," said Lukaku. "I'm very happy and very
fortunate to be in the situation.
"Cesar Azpilicueta's the captain, he's been here for many years, he's a
great captain.
"When I was in quarantine he was already messaging me, to help about houses
and things like that.
"So in terms of leaders, there are many players that have big personalities
in this dressing room.
"I'm one of the players who likes to connect everybody and make everyone
feel comfortable and give them confidence.
"Because those players deserve to be Chelsea players and they showed that
last season."
Lukaku also revealed he has been talking to one of his predecessors as the
leader of the Chelsea line, in the shape of club legend Didier Drogba.
"He [Drogba] kept it really simple," said Lukaku.
"He was really happy about the improvements that I made in the last couple
of seasons and he's always saying that there is more work to be done.
"That is the right mindset.
"I think the last two seasons have been great for myself at club level and
international level - and now I get a chance to join a team that is very
hungry and very ambitious.
"I'm very happy to be here, now it's up to us to prepare as a team and keep
winning.
"The guys are very hungry and want to keep winning, everyone wants to work
hard and keep improving."
Lukaku has been training with the squad this week and says he is available
to face Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday, having done a 'whole pre-season'
beforehand.
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