Romelu Lukaku continues to be linked with a move back to Italy, but a Chelsea adviser expects the player to stay at Stamford Bridge.
What did Petr say about Romelu Lukaku?
The Belgian has been backed to succeed at the Blues next season by club legend and adviser Petr Cech despite the striker’s desire to leave this summer. Romelu returned to the Blues from Inter for a club-record fee of £98million last summer but was offered a return to the San Siro after a disappointing first year back at Stamford Bridge. Petr, however, suggested Romelu Lukaku would remain on the west side of London, stressing that his struggles with injury and Covid-19 accounted for his poor performance during the 2021-22 campaign.
Blues technical adviser Petr Cech said he personally believes Romelu Lukaku will have a great season. Last season they saw how strong Romelu could be when he arrived. Unfortunately, a years-long injury that Lukaku suffered against Villa slowed things down and then he had Covid-19 as well. According to Cech, they could see towards the end of the season when Lukaku was fit and ready to go, how strong he was. They had a peculiar season with Covid-19 releases around Christmas. Romelu Lukaku was one of those players that got hurt. Petr has full confidence Romelu will rebound and have a strong season.
What will happen next?
There is information that Chelsea is ready to release the Belgian striker on loan ahead of the upcoming season. Inter are favorites to land the player again but are reluctant to pay a large fee to sign him outright. Inter Milan would have to pay around €25m to get him on loan, while Romelu Lukaku is willing to accept a significant pay cut to avoid the Stamford Bridge club. Romelu, who returned to the Blues last year after two years at Inter, made 44 appearances for Tuchel’s team in the last term and scored 15 goals.