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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Chris Doyle

Chelsea set date for Romelu Lukaku's debut after £97m transfer is confirmed

Romelu Lukaku will reportedly not make his Chelsea debut this weekend for the club's Premier League opener against Crystal Palace after sealing his £97.5m million move from Inter.

The Belgian striker penned a five-year deal until 2026 as he returns to Stamford Bridge for a second stint.

Chelsea had hoped to get the deal over the line in time to include Lukaku in their Super Cup squad on Wednesday night as Thomas Tuchel's men beat Villarreal on penalties.

But there was a delay which meant the signing was not confirmed until Thursday evening.

Despite his arrival, the 28-year-old has been ruled out of Chelsea's Premier League opener against Palace on Saturday, according to The Athletic.

Romelu Lukaku has sealed his move to Chelsea (Inter via Getty Images)

How many Premier League goals will Romelu Lukaku score for Chelsea next season? Comment below

That means Lukaku will now be expected to make his debut next weekend (Sunday August 22) when the Blues' travel to Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Gary Neville has claimed Chelsea are the only side out of the current top-four that will bring the best out of Lukaku.

He said on The Overlap podcast: "Jurgen Klopp wouldn't sign Lukaku in a million years. Neither would probably Pep Guardiola but Chelsea are the club that have had that type of striker.

"A [Diego] Costa, a [Didier] Drogba, a single point striker, that physical presence that wants to carry that line. They've had that in their armoury for 20 years. It suits Chelsea Football Club. He wouldn't press from the front so he'd never suit Jurgen Klopp.

"He would never suit Old Trafford. The fans up there need a personality up front. [Edinson] Cavani suits Old Trafford.

"I know he's probably past his best years but he works a lot harder than Lukaku off the ball.

"I'm not saying he's better - Lukaku will score 25 goals for Chelsea but he doesn't suit United. He wouldn't suit Liverpool."

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