Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Calciomercato.com’s Federico Bergomi as quoted by Football.London, Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku is closing to completing the return to Inter Milan.
The Belgian striker moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer but has struggled to make the kind of impact expected of him following his move to London. Lukaku has since then lost his place to Kai Havertz in the starting 11 and is struggling to break into the team.
The former Manchester United striker was tearing it up with the Nerazzurri in the Serie A last season alongside Lautaro Martinez, playing a pivotal role in guiding them to their first Scudetto in 11 years. His exploits at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza earned him a lot of plaudits but all of that seems like a distant memory right now.
Inter are looking to offer their former star a way out of his London struggles and are willing to sign him back in the summer. Speaking about his possible return, Bergomi has said that the return is very close. If a return happens at the end of this season, it would be highly surprising given he only joined us last year and for a club-record fee.
“I know Inter players send messages to Lukaku. They tell me he’s in the home straight. The salary is reduced, the payment will not be complicated because of Chelsea’s problems. If one thinks wrong, it must be said that the negotiation had already been engaged for a long time, when he gave the interview at the end of December.”
The second homecoming of Romelu Lukaku to Stamford Bridge was expected to be a roaring success but at its best, it has been mixed. Whilst the 28-year-old had a decent start to life at Stamford Bridge, fast-forward to the present and he is struggling to cement a regular position in the playing XI.
It says a lot when Kai Havertz, who isn’t a natural centre-forward, has been playing in that position regularly under Tuchel- especially in big games such as the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool. The Belgian international has managed a sub-par return of five goals and no assists in 20 Premier League games so far this campaign.
With Havertz putting up some impressive performances in recent memory, the former Evertonian has slipped even further down the pecking order at Chelsea. With all factors combined, it remains to be seen where the future lies for Lukaku this summer.
However, at his best, there is no denying that Lukaku is a prolific goal-scorer and perhaps we can give him a bit more time before giving a judgement on how his return to England has gone. Injuries and Covid have not made it easy for the Belgian in his first season back in England.
If Lukaku can reignite his spark, he could definitely be the answer to Chelsea’s well-documented striker issues. Right now, the Belgian doesn’t seem to be in the fray for automatic selection but a few performances on a consistent basis could make Thomas Tuchel reconsider his plans.
The Belgian international is currently injured but he still has a chance to revive his Chelsea career between now and the end of the season. With the Blues in a top-four race and with an FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace on the horizon, there will be chances for Lukaku to make his mark.
Chelsea recently loaned Jadon Sancho on a season long load deal from Manchester United. (with an obligation to buy)
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