Romelu Lukaku Back To Chelsea: Chelsea forgotten man rebuilding reputation ahead of summer transfer decision
Romelu Lukaku Back To Chelsea: Chelsea forgotten man rebuilding reputation ahead of summer transfer decision
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is enjoying his loan spell with Roma. It is his second spell away from Stamford Bridge and the Belgian has scored 18 goals in 37 appearances.
Lukkau returned to Chelsea as the club’s record signing in 2021 but was unable to rediscover the formidable form from his time at Inter Milan. A turbulent debut season saw Lukaku return to Inter on loan, where he helped the Italian side reach last year’s Champions League final.
The 30-year-old appears to be getting back to his best at the Stadio Olimpico, helping Roma to compete for a Champions League place in Serie A, as well as progress in the Europa League. Lukaku’s return to form has been admired by former Liverpool striker Djbril Cisse, who has praised Lukaku’s mental strength.
“Very much so [I like him as a player]. He’s a great player who scores goals wherever he goes,” Cisse told DH Net, as reported by the Mirror. “He’s often been criticised but mentally he’s a strong guy. It seems that criticism makes him better and that’s very strong.”
Lukaku’s loan move to Roma came after the forward faced an uncertain future in the summer. The former Manchester United striker was not part of Chelsea boss Mauruicio Pochettino’s plans and trained away from the first team squad at Cobham.
“You know that I don’t like to beat around the bush. I will speak in time, but if I really said how it all went last summer everyone would be shocked,” Lukaku said. “There were moments when I really could explode, five years ago I probably would have done that too. Now I have concentrated on what I can do best playing football.
“During the summer I saw what people said about me and I trained to be there the day I had to perform. One day I will tell the truth. The others will also have to assume it at that time.”
Despite his performances for Roma, the Italian side would have to pay a considerable fee to sign him permanently, given that his Chelsea deal runs until 2026. While his Chelsea future is in doubt, Lukaku is unlikely to join a side in Saudi Arabia, having turned down an offer last summer.
“I was honoured by that interest but after the conversations, I was not completely convinced.,” Lukau explained. “They are the biggest club in the Middle East and the league there will become one of the biggest in the world, but I didn’t want to leave Europe yet.”
