Because I'm worth it: Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku reckons he's silenced doubters by starring on loan
Blues' £18million striker sounds ready to stake a claim for Stamford Bridge spot after scoring 17 Prem goals for West Brom
Paul Gilham
Romelu Lukaku insists he has proved to Chelsea he is not an £18million misfit.
The Belgium striker struggled in the 2011-12 season after a big-money move from Anderlecht in his homeland to the Stamford Bridge giants.
He failed to score in 13 apearances, and was loaned out to Premier League rivals West Brom for the whole 2012-13 campaign.
There, Lukaku rekindled his reputation as one of the game's best prospects by smashing 17 League goals to help Albion to an impressive eighth-place finish.
His feats included coming off the bench to blast a second half hat-trick in Albion's stunning 5-5 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.
He is just the third player, after David Bentley and Dirk Kuyt, in Premier League history to notch a treble against United.
Several clubs - including, unsurprisingly, Albion - now want to borrow Lukaku next term, but he is scheduled to return to Chelsea for pre-season training.
The 20-year-old said: "I've had a great season and now I want to do better.
"After last year, a lot of people doubted me, but I kept believing in my qualities and worked hard.
"With the help of the fans and this club, I just couldn't fail here. From day one I have felt at home - like I was back in Brussels. That's why I have performed so well.
"They have helped me through the good and the bad days. I was really convinced the team would have a good season.
"It's been wonderful to be here."
The Belgium striker struggled in the 2011-12 season after a big-money move from Anderlecht in his homeland to the Stamford Bridge giants.
He failed to score in 13 apearances, and was loaned out to Premier League rivals West Brom for the whole 2012-13 campaign.
There, Lukaku rekindled his reputation as one of the game's best prospects by smashing 17 League goals to help Albion to an impressive eighth-place finish.
His feats included coming off the bench to blast a second half hat-trick in Albion's stunning 5-5 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.
He is just the third player, after David Bentley and Dirk Kuyt, in Premier League history to notch a treble against United.
Several clubs - including, unsurprisingly, Albion - now want to borrow Lukaku next term, but he is scheduled to return to Chelsea for pre-season training.
The 20-year-old said: "I've had a great season and now I want to do better.
"After last year, a lot of people doubted me, but I kept believing in my qualities and worked hard.
"With the help of the fans and this club, I just couldn't fail here. From day one I have felt at home - like I was back in Brussels. That's why I have performed so well.
"They have helped me through the good and the bad days. I was really convinced the team would have a good season.
"It's been wonderful to be here."
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