Choose Number 9 After Abraham To AS Roma, Lukaku: I'm Happy And Lucky

Romelu Lukaku (Twitter @ChelseaFC))

JAKARTA - Romelu Lukaku will wear the number 9 shirt at Chelsea following the departure of Tammy Abraham to AS Roma.

Lukaku was originally given the number 18 shirt on his return to Stamford Bridge from Inter last week, but he can now inherit Abraham's jersey number following the England striker's permanent move to the Stadio Olimpico.

Lukaku will make his first appearance for Chelsea when he travels to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on Sunday.

"Can I say it? Yes, I have a No. 9. I am happy and lucky to be in this situation," Lukaku said in a press conference quoted by Antara from Goal on Wednesday.

Introducing your new number...

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 18, 2021

The Belgian then spoke about the challenge of facing Arsenal in his first game back at Chelsea.

"They are rebuilding and, at the end of the day, I just look at my team and focus on what we have," added the 28-year-old.

"It will be a tough game, but we will prepare for the battle."

Asked if he was ready to start straight away against the Gunners, Lukaku replied: “I've been training. I did the full pre-season."

"Now I'm trying to make my team-mates even better and I'm ready if the coach wants me to play."

Lukaku later revealed that he had spoken to legend and former Chelsea team-mate, Didier Drogba, who had urged him to continue striving to improve despite two successful years in Serie A with Inter Milan.

Let's get down to business! ️

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 18, 2021

"He's very happy with the progress I've made in the last few seasons," the striker said of his conversation with Drogba.

"However, he said there is always more work to be done, it's all about improving every week."

“Now I have the opportunity to join a very hungry and very ambitious team. Glad to be back. You struggle to achieve your dreams. I'm here now and I can't wait to be on the pitch. It's time to get to work and let my performance do the talking."

Lukaku made just 10 Premier League appearances in his first spell at Chelsea and failed to score a single goal.

However, the player nicknamed "Big Rom" scored 17 goals in 35 games while on loan at West Brom before joining Everton in 2014.

The former Inter star scored 68 goals in 141 games for the Toffees and saw United sign him for £74 million in the summer of 2017.

Lukaku played in 66 Premier League games for the Red Devils, scoring 28 goals before moving to Inter.