Romano: Loaned out player not contemplating return to Chelsea in 2023

Romelu Lukaku is not even contemplating returning to Chelsea after his loan spell at Inter Milan

As per Fabrizio Romano in a YouTube video, Romelu Lukaku is not even thinking about returning to Chelsea once his season-long loan spell ends at Inter Milan next May.

The Belgian international, who was signed by the Blues from Inter for a deal worth £97.5m last summer, was loaned back to the Italian side this summer for the whole season.

The former Everton and Manchester United man had an underwhelming return to Chelsea last season, which may have prompted him to not even contemplate going back to Stamford Bridge once the loan period is done.

As it stands, Lukaku is solely focusing on doing well for Inter, having done that in the past before signing for Chelsea. Talks to extend his loan spell for another year is on. Romano said in the video:

“Lukaku is only focussing on Inter. He is not considering a return to Chelsea. It’s something that he is not even contemplating.”

“Inter and Chelsea have an agreement on a one-year loan with no buy option included. But they already discussed for a potential second year of loan. It’ll depend on many factors but they already verbally discussed the possibility of a second year.”

After a league title-winning season with Inter in 2020/21 where he scored 24 goals and assisted 10 in 36 appearances, the 29-year-old scored just eight goals and assisted one in 26 league appearances in the Premier League for Chelsea. That level of drop-off from a player that cost the Blues so much money was inexcusable.

It was not all his fault though. Chelsea’s playing style under former manager Thomas Tuchel did not suit the Belgian. He found himself isolated and drifting away from games quite a number of times.

Moreover, it seems as if the prospect of returning to Inter Milan did not go out of his mind few months after leaving them for west London. The cryptic interview to Sky Italia about the love-in for his former club made things awkward between him and Chelsea.

From the Blues’ viewpoint, it does not make sense to keep hold of the player who doesn’t want to stay. It’s best to cut our losses and move on – perhaps move him on permanently next year if manager Graham Potter is not sold on the Belgian star.

More Chelsea News:

• Trevoh Chalobah could leave Chelsea in January to play more
• Sander Berge shuts down rumours linking him to Chelsea
• Richarlison reveals that Chelsea made an offer to sign him in the summer

However, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cannot be our long-term solution at his age. Hence, if Lukaku does not return to SW6, it would be wise from Chelsea to either bank on Armando Broja more or bring in a new face up front.