Romelu Lukaku has just 'six weeks to save his Chelsea career' after his latest miss in their FA Cup semi-final win over Crystal Palace, says former Blues hero Joe Cole.
The west London club reached their third straight FA Cup final on Sunday, with second-half goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount seeing off Patrick Vieira's spirited Eagles at Wembley.
However, one of few sour notes for Thomas Tuchel's side came when Lukaku spurned a glorious chance to end his month-long goal drought late on.
Timo Werner pulled the ball across goal and the Belgian sent an effort straight onto the post from close range, meaning his wait to hit the back of the net again goes on.
His last goal came in Chelsea's FA Cup quarter-final win over Middlesbrough on March 19, but he had two other big chances to end that when he wasted a couple of headers in their recent Champions League defeat at home to Real Madrid.
And following his latest setback at Wembley, Cole had some harsh words for Lukaku, who he believes is now fighting for his Blues future.
The former Chelsea winger said on ITV Sport: 'Lukaku has six weeks to save his Chelsea career. You look at Werner and he doesn't give up. Lukaku wants to be that focal point but he missed a chance.
'When it's not going for you, it's not going for you.'
Cole's co-pundit Ian Wright then added: 'When you're going through what Lukaku is going through, this is the type of chance you want. He's left footed, take it with your left foot.'
Manchester United legend Roy Keane also chipped in by saying: 'How badly do you really want to score? It's obviously his mindset, it's clearly not right.'
Cole then continued: 'People saw Lukaku as the missing piece of the jigsaw [when he returned to Chelsea last summer], it didn't happen, but it can come back as quickly as it goes. Football can change in one game.'
Before Keane asked again: 'How badly does he want to save his Chelsea career?'.
Lukaku has suffered a momentous fall from grace at Chelsea over the past six months, which has resulted in Tuchel preferring to deploy Kai Havertz as a false nine at the pinpoint of his attack.
Before Sunday's semi-final, the Blues head coach claimed his £100million striker is not in the right condition to start right now.
He is not fit enough for the intensity of our game in an FA Cup semi-final.
'It’s not easy to come into a game such as this with so much riding on it after a spell out with injury.
'It’s just a case of him not having as much minutes recently as the other players, his match fitness is not quite there otherwise there’s a big chance that he would have started today.'
Canklnsu
2
I wonder why everyone one is judging Lukaku so fast when he was bought on a price bit lesser than GREALISH Game by numbers Lukaku is doing far much better you English pundits are hypocrites ⚽🔥
thank you bro
Andy_Mac
0
Many once thought United destroyed Lukaku. Well think again.
How many trophies have you won since selling Lukaku? Even after signing the great Cristiano Ronaldo who has scored more or less the same number of goals as Lukaku used to score at Man Utd in a season, you can't even win a teapot. But Man Utd fans are shamelessly celebrating CR7s goals like it's a trophy whilst cussing Lukaku. Joke of a fanbase.
Andy_Mac
0
I still can’t judge this man yet. We played to his strength today. But let’s see again in future
No thank you. He will cost us more games with his rubbish attitude. It's time for him to go
Andy_Mac
1
For me, it's already done. He cost us the UCL tie against Real Madrid and there is no way he can redeem himself. He should be sold.
Nozaceiotz
0
I prefer father Abraham than Lukaku Abey you guys should call Tammy Abraham from As Roma
Faruk064
0
How can he missed this. I can't believe.
josilva877
1
we don't need Lukaku. I said it from the beginning of the season that Werner, Harvetz and Mount our best attacking line. we just need to sell others in the front and bring Gallagher, Broja and sign one btw Nkunku, Raphina or Anthony. if Thomas Tuchel can leave 3 of them together for next 2 season. the will become like Mane, Farmino, Salah. when Klopp started with them they are not a kill for the first 2 season, but from 3rd season they started crazy
calvin1988
0
this guy was so comfortable at inter and he came back to England boy you don't learn what happen with u at united
Vezonic22
0
Six weeks too long.....
Nawamory
5
I wonder why everyone one is judging Lukaku so fast when he was bought on a price bit lesser than GREALISH Game by numbers Lukaku is doing far much better you English pundits are hypocrites ⚽🔥
Nawamory
2
He ruined Timos night😏 The boy would have collected 2 assists from the office today
Nisdoruy
6
Lukaku is never the same since he went publicly by talking how he wants to go back to inter Milan since those comments he never has been the same again and as a Chelsea fan I'm happy that everything is going wrong for him now because we don't need this kind of players into our club if you don't want to play for us then you better leave so I suggested should leave our club as possible
Ridbcikprz
0
The media made lukaku better than he was actually. His performances before he went to Inter against the top premiership teams was woeful. You spend 100 million on a player who was never that good in the first place
Josh0521
1
I still can’t judge this man yet. We played to his strength today. But let’s see again in future
DS36
4
The Lord Jèsus-Christ resurrected but Lukaku refuse to resurrect
Affancfceh10
0
honestly I saw it coming even before he was bought, I knew it was a waste of money. Chelsea were after haaland then they changed their mind to lukaku but I knew it was a blander. guess I wasn't wrong
idk man I'll judge him at the end of the season
Vucbdikprs
0
he can help chelsea club..
nwadavid
1
well I think he can fulfill his promise
daheroda8
2
Many once thought United destroyed Lukaku. Well think again.
Rahbcdimyz
3
honestly I saw it coming even before he was bought, I knew it was a waste of money. Chelsea were after haaland then they changed their mind to lukaku but I knew it was a blander. guess I wasn't wrong