The relationship between the player and Chelsea fans is not so good after the player’s underwhelming performance in his first season back at the club after running the show with Inter in the Serie A in 2020-21.
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To worsen matters, the Belgian had a controversial interview, where he criticized the club as well as the tactics of then manager, Thomas Tuchel. The fans did not take that well.
Moreso, on his return to Inter on loan last summer, Lukaku said in an interview, “I left (for Chelsea). It was a mistake.”
“Now I am happy to be wearing this jersey, the team knows what we need to do, it’ll be a great challenge this season and we need to continue like this. I realised last season when I was in England, just how important Inter are in the world.”
The 30year old also aimed a dig at his Chelsea teammates though he did not explicitly direct his statement to them. He said, “Nobody talks badly about anyone else at Inter. Our locker room is a big family.”
Chelsea made Romelu Lukaku their record signing by paying around £100 millions to Inter, but the striker struggled for impact in the club before he was returned to Italy on loan with Inter.
However, after Inter made their intentions not to retain the striker known, it becomes inevitable that he returns to Chelsea this summer – the same club which he has directed a host of unkind gestures.
Incoming manager, Mauricio Pochettino has however stated that Lukaku will be given a chance to play in the team during preseason so as to know if he can fit into his system.
Chelsea have not really have it good with attackers of late. It is just a game to end season and Kai Havertz, who has just seven goals to his name is their top scorer in the Premier League this term.
Argentine coach, Pochettino will experiment Lukaku and see if he can get the best out of him before deciding whether the club let him leave or not sign another striker in the window.
Author : Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
