Romelu Lukaku lifts the lid on his nightmare summer declaring after falling out with Inter Milan and being banished by Chelsea before snubbing Saudi Arabia to join Roma
Romelu Lukaku has hinted at the “startling” reality he faced this summer upon returning from a loan spell with Inter Milan, only to discover that he had no place in new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino’s plans.
The Roma forward encountered failed moves to Inter and Juventus before ultimately agreeing to join Jose Mourinho’s side, all while being compelled to train separately from the Blues’ first-team squad.
The 30-year-old, who impressively scored seven goals in eight games since his move to the Italian capital, chose not to disclose the specific details of his ordeal. However, he made it clear that he was discontented with the events when speaking to reporters ahead of Belgium’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Austria and Sweden.
“Most people in this room know me. You know that I don’t like to beat around the bush,” he expressed. “I will speak when the time is right, but if I revealed how things truly transpired last summer, everyone would be astonished.”
Romelu Lukaku has alluded to the surprising circumstances he encountered upon his return from a loan spell with Inter Milan last summer.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino had no plans to integrate Lukaku into his first team squad
There were moments when I felt an intense urge to explode, and five years ago, I probably would have. However, now I am solely focused on showcasing my best abilities, which revolve around playing football. I dedicated myself to hard work throughout the summer.”
Lukaku faced significant criticism for his lackluster cameo in Inter’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League final. He squandered the best opportunity for the underdogs and unintentionally blocked a shot from his teammate.
The former Manchester United striker hinted at underlying issues during the buildup to the match, which he chose not to elaborate on. These issues seemingly played a crucial role in his decision to reject a permanent return to the San Siro and instead opt for a controversial move to rivals Juventus.
“After the Champions League final, I felt somewhat uneasy,” he remarked. “However, my mind was troubled due to events that occurred in the days leading up to it. I will discuss them at a later time.”
Lukaku also had an opportunity to join the ranks of high-profile players who were enticed by the lucrative offers available in Saudi Arabia. Al-Hilal expressed interest in him and later secured Neymar’s services. However, Lukaku decided that he still possessed the desire to compete in European football.
“I was flattered by their interest, but after our discussions, I wasn’t completely convinced. While the league is poised to become one of the largest in the world, I wasn’t ready to leave Europe just yet,” he explained.
“I was well aware of what was going to unfold this summer, and there were certain clubs I certainly wouldn’t entertain joining. Ultimately, I had to consider the events of recent years, both on a footballing and personal level, which is why I made my choice.
Lukaku missed a huge chance to keep Inter Champions League hopes alive against Man City
Juvetus fans made their feelings clear about Romelu Lukaku as they gathered outside the club’s medical centre to chant that they ‘don’t want’ him
Lukaku has expressed his admiration for Mourinho, whom he considers instrumental in his early accomplishments.
“While I don’t usually discuss matters off the field, there are times when it’s important to clarify what actually transpired and what didn’t,” Lukaku stated. “I will share the details one day, but not now. Currently, I want to maintain my focus on football. Whenever I express myself, my words tend to be taken out of context, and I don’t want that at the moment.”
This isn’t the first instance where Lukaku has hinted at difficulties with his former club since reuniting with Mourinho for the third time. Following his two-goal performance in the recent 4-1 victory over newly-promoted Cagliari, Lukaku called out those who had discussed his fitness levels and suggested that his form exemplified the hard work he put in during the summer.
He also showered praise upon Mourinho, whom he believes has played a pivotal role in his success early in the season. “As I’ve mentioned in the past, the coach and I share a special bond,” he affirmed. “He is acquainted with my family, knows my children, and he is someone I trust, just as he has shown trust in me. He is demanding, as other coaches have been in the past, but it’s the only way I can evolve as a player.