EKO HOT BLOG reports that Inter Milan’s CEO, Beppe Marotta, has confirmed that Romelu Lukaku will be returning to Chelsea when his loan deal expires at the end of the season.
The Belgian striker joined Inter Milan on a season-long loan deal in June 2020, after spending just one season back at Chelsea following a £97.5 million move from the Italian side.
Lukaku, who was decisive in Inter Milan’s Scudetto-winning campaign under Antonio Conte in 2020-2021, has failed to live up to those lofty standards this season, scoring just five goals in 17 appearances.
The 29-year-old has struggled with fitness issues, missing 12 games in Serie A alone this term due to injuries. When he has played, he has often appeared slow and lacking the incisive pace and explosiveness that made him so irresistible during his initial spell with the club.
Marotta acknowledged that Lukaku has not found the fitness he needs to play his best football, stating that he is still not at his best or the player he was in years gone by. He attributed Lukaku’s struggles to the World Cup, noting that the problems experienced by Inter Milan have been experienced by other clubs as well, including the players who played at the World Cup.
“The loan was for one season so on June 30 regardless of how well he plays, he’ll go back to Chelsea,” Marotta told Sky Italia.
“This has been an unprecedented season. I’m referring of course to the World Cup. The problems we’ve experienced have been experienced by other clubs too and the players who played at the World Cup.
“Lukaku is a case in point. [Marcelo] Brozovic isn’t the Brozovic we know. Lukaku hasn’t found the fitness he needs to play his best football. He’s still not at his best or the player we got to see in years gone by.”
Despite Lukaku’s struggles, Chelsea is reportedly eager to bring him back to Stamford Bridge, and the Belgian striker will return to the club when his loan deal expires on June 30. Marotta stated that the loan was for one season, and Lukaku will go back to Chelsea regardless of how well he plays.
Lukaku’s return to Chelsea could be a significant boost to the Blues, who are struggling to score goals this season. The Belgian striker enjoyed a mixed spell at the club between 2011 and 2014, scoring 17 goals in 35 appearances. Since then, he has become one of the most prolific strikers in Europe, scoring 113 goals in 180 appearances for Everton, Manchester United, and Inter Milan.
Chelsea will hope that Lukaku can rediscover his form at Stamford Bridge and help the club to challenge for the Premier League title next season.
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