LONDON -- Chelsea spent last season searching for a clinical goal scorer to help sustain a Premier League title challenge. Sunday's 1-1 draw against Manchester United will raise fears they are still looking.
The answer appeared to be Romelu Lukaku, signed in the summer from Inter Milan for €115 million -- a premium price justified by his expected immediate impact -- yet the Belgium striker, fit again after an ankle injury, played only the final eight minutes of this game, with Chelsea chasing a winner.
It is both a sign that Lukaku is not yet match sharp, but the lack of urgency to introduce him is perhaps also an indication that manager Thomas Tuchel considers his team at least as potent at present without the former United striker, who has four goals in 12 appearances since rejoining the club.