Why Romelu Lukaku & Belgium Would Be The Subjects Of Great Bets For Euro 2020
Romelu Lukaku has undergone a renaissance since moving to Italy and is now leading the line for his country, with Belgium’s Euro 2020 campaign well underway. The striker is back to being one of the most formidable attackers in European club football, having fired Internazionale to the Serie A title last season, which is saying a lot as Italy’s top division has been dominated by Juventus for the past nine years, with I Bianconeri winning the Scudetto in nine consecutive seasons.
The Belgian was supposed to have been the second coming of Didier Drogba when Chelsea prised him from Anderlecht in 2011. Despite impressive spells on loan at West Bromwich Albion and Everton, he was allowed to leave Stamford Bridge on a permanent deal in 2014 as the Toffees opted to make him their player.
The Blues have been made to rue their decision on many an occasion. They would try to bring him back to London the following year but he chose to go to Manchester United instead, something that is understood to have infuriated then-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte. The Italian had pushed for Lukaku after winning the Premier League title with the Blues in 2017 but was shocked and angry to learn that Chelsea had dropped the ball while he was vacationing. Missing out must have been even more shameful given the infamous text to Brazilian striker Diego Costa in which Conte curtly let him know his services were no longer needed at the Bridge.
Chelsea wound up with Alvaro Morata but quickly became aware of the mistake they’d made. While Lukaku didn’t exactly set the world alight in Manchester, he proved to be a dependable enough scorer, as long as the occasion wasn’t very big.
Conte finally got his man when he became Inter coach and his partnership with the striker quickly evolved into one that would ultimately result in a major feat. The 28-year-old forward scored 24 goals along with 11 assists in 32 appearances for Inter, garnering another spell of interest from Chelsea, who reportedly made him a striking option for the summer. Despite the manager leaving just a week after guiding the team to Serie A glory, Lukaku has insisted he’s happy with his current club and has no intention to leave.
Of course, Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland is Chelsea’s priority but having Lukaku as a potential alternative would have been great. The Blues are also rumored to be looking at Real Madrid’s Luka Jovic, as well as Patson Daka of Red Bull Salzburg and Real Sociedad hotshot Alexander Isak.
Meanwhile, Lukaku has been lighting it up at the Euros for his country and is a solid pick to end the tournament as its top scorer. The Inter man has scored three goals so far and is the bookies’ favorite to land the Golden Boot. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Peter Schick of the Czech Republic have also found the back of the net on three occasions since the start of the prestigious tournament.
“He controls the situation,” former Man Utd defender Rio Ferdinand said of Lukaku’s play at the Euros after the striker scored against Finland on Monday.
“The minute the defender touches him and feels him then with his strength and power. He knows where he is. He then controls the whole situation. I don’t see any defender, apart from Van Dijk, physically who could be able to deal with that.”
A number of sportsbooks, such as Fox Bet, are offering great odds on Euro 2020 outcomes. Lukaku is 9/4 to score the most goals at the tournament, with Belgium having won all three of their matches so far and taking all nine points. Ronaldo is 11/4 while Schick is 10/1.
Italy’s Ciro Immobile is 10/1, as is Holland’s Memphis Depay, who was recently signed by Barcelona, while French stars Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann are both 20/1.
Lukaku, though, is favored to collect top honors with good reason. The former Premier League forward is in great form on the back of his Serie A campaign with Inter and is also playing for one of the countries that have every chance of winning the Euros. Belgium also boasts the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard – it’s also worth noting they won the bronze medal at the World Cup in 2018.
While France is the outright favorite to lift the trophy at the culmination of the tournament, Belgium cannot be discounted. The Red Devils are 13/2 to win the final, with Germany 11/2, Italy 6/1, and France 7/2.
Taking the odds on offer as it pertains to both Belgium and Lukaku would certainly not be the worst bets you could make. Both man and country are in fine form at the moment and are in the round of 16. Their next opponents, who they play on Sunday, will be announced this week.