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UPDATE: Lukaku will wear the #17 jersey at Everton
We were honored to speak with Graham MacAree, Lead Editor of SB Nation Soccer and also of SB Nation's Chelsea blog We Ain't Got No History about their beast of a striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian has been turning heads since last season in the Premier League when he scored 17 times in 35 appearances for defensive-minded West Bromwich Albion.
Position: Forward
Age: 20
Birth Date: May 13, 1993
Birth Place: Antwerp, Belgium (Belgian international, 21 caps)
Height: 1.90m
Weight: 94 kg
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RBM - Tell us about Lukaku's style of play?
WAGNH - Lukaku is both stronger and faster than more or less every centre back in the Premier League. That makes him very difficult to play against -- he uses the speed to beat high lines and his sheer size to open up spaces against low blocks. He can hold up the ball and pass effectively as well.
RBM - What are his strengths?
WAGNH - His greatest strengths are his phyiscal attributes. He's almost impossible to get off the ball one on one. Defenders bounce off him. It's kind of hilarious.
RBM - How about his weaknesses?
WAGNH - His touch and finishing could use work, and he's not spectacular in the air yet. Those three traits have all improved significantly since he's been in England, however, and I'd expect that by the end of the year none of them are noticable as 'weaknesses'.
RBM - Any off-the-field issues we should know about?
WAGNH - Lukaku's a consumate professional. Seriously, he might have the best attitude I've ever heard of in a young 'star'. He's obsessed with football and deeply committed to improving, ignoring distractions that might derail him. No off-field problems at all.
RBM - Your closing thoughts?
WAGNH - Take good care of him. We'll be wanting him back.
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Our thanks to Graham for taking the time to talk to us. Drop us your questions regarding Lukaku in the comments section and we'll forward them to Graham for his answers.
More from Royal Blue Mersey:
- Marouane Fellaini thanks Everton fans after Manchester United move
- Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines - Replaceable vs. Irreplaceable
- Gareth Barry joins Everton on loan from Manchester City
- Victor Anichebe leaves Everton for West Brom
- Everton sign James McCarthy from Wigan
