Stats show Chelsea more effective without Lukaku | OneFootball

Stats show Chelsea have been playing better in the absence of Romelu Lukaku.

Chelsea have not struggled in front of goal in the Belgium striker's absence, netting 22 goals (including the third and fourth against Malmo after he went off injured) in eight games across all competitions.

The ex-Inter Milan striker was an unused substitute in Tuesday night's 4-0 thrashing of Juventus as the Champions League holders qualified for the knockout stages. But he is likely to be in contention to face his former club Manchester United when they visit for the late Sunday afternoon kick-off in the Premier League.

Chelsea have emerged victorious in seven of the 11 matches in which the Belgium star has featured, while recording six victories in the nine fixtures without him.

The Blues have had 12 different goalscorers in Lukaku's absence as well as one own goal, showing continued good form in front of goal.

In two fewer games, Chelsea have scored five more goals without the Belgian (24) than they have when he has led the line for Thomas Tuchel's men (19), reports the Daily Mail.

Unsurprisingly therefore, their average goals per game stands at 2.7 without the ex-Everton and West Brom forward, compared to 1.7 with him in the team.

Chelsea's average shots per game increases from 14.1 with Lukaku as one of the players used on a given matchday this term compared to 20.2 without him, and they have dominated the ball more with 58.9 per cent possession increasing to 65.1.