The last acquisition of a successful Roman Abramovich era is Chelsea’s most expensive signing, and it was to see Romelu Lukaku return to the club after an unsuccessful attempt in his first spell.
Chelsea spent £97.5 million on the best player in the Serie A in the 2021/21 season, but a return to England has seen the player degraded back to the status he was when he departed England in 2019.
Lukaku scored 24 goals in his final season with Inter, which was more than all managed by Chelsea attackers that season. He also helped Inter win the Scudetto for the first time in eleven years, ending Juventus’ years of domination.
However, he has struggled since returning to Chelsea, netting only eight goals in 26 league appearances in his debut season, leaving a better section of the fans commenting negatives of the deal.
Chelsea sold Tammy Abraham to Roma in order to make place for Lukaku in the team and the young English striker has enjoyed a better season than Chelsea’s record siging, helping Roma sealed a top six finish and winning the maiden edition of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Abraham had a hand in 32 goals, scoring 27 times, which is more than Lukaku’s 13 goals without assist across all competitions.
Romelu Lukaku himself is not happy at the club due to both infield and off field issues and with Inter seeming to be interested in reuniting with the striker, Chelsea should not unnecessarily hold on to the player.
Having paid almost a hundred million pounds to Inter last summer, Chelsea will understandably feel reluctant to sell back to the same club for a fee that will translate massive loss to them but at this stage, it might not benefit any of the parties should Lukaku stay beyond the summer.
Lukaku signed a five year contract last summer, now having four years left on his current deal at the age of 29, efficiency decreases with age of course and Lukaku has not shown the signs of a striker who will improve as they age, so Chelsea might more dip in their investment should they risk keeping him beyond the summer.
Lukaku wants to return to Inter. Chelsea needed a goalscorer and it is obvious the former Manchester United striker isn’t the answer to that. It will affect Chelsea in no way letting go of him this summer.
An unhappy player could upset a positive atmosphere in the dressing room. Letting him go will also give Chelsea the avenue to look to add more attackers this summer as it will ease the huge wage the player is on.
His remaining at the club could be a major concern for incoming players because of his price tag, the player(s) might have doubts if the club could completely do away with a player that cost them a fortune whilst he is still at the club.
At this stage, any striker but Lukaku is okay in Chelsea’s perspective and vice versa so delay could be threatening to the ambition of both Chelsea and Lukaku.
Nonetheless some section of the fans still believe Lukaku can become a success at the club given more time. But if a player is unhappy, there is no point keeping him.
For Lukaku and Chelsea, separate after a year if reunion could be the best for all.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
