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Romelu Lukaku's performance discussion

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Abdullah719

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Will he stay at the club and see out the remainder of the contract or will Everton cash in and sell him to one of the European heavyweights?
 
Would've loved if it Liverpool had a chance of signing him but players don't tend to cross Stanley Park.
 
Arsenal needs a striker...

And I reckon that Lukaku can speak a bit of french...

:wenger
 
Markhor said:
Would've loved if it Liverpool had a chance of signing him but players don't tend to cross Stanley Park.
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Plenty have done so like Peter Beardsley and Nick Barmby. Everton have always hated Liverpool much more so will never sell to us although he'd be a great buy. Perhaps we could offer Sturridge plus cash to lesson the blow.
 
I think he believes he is Barcelona /Real Madrid level. I don't think either club will be in for him. He definitely should be playing for a better team than Everton though.
 
Man Ut'd bid has been accepted to if Chelsea want him will have to pay more then £75 million. With Conte happy to let Costa go it seems Chelsea will need to up the offer if they want him. Not many classy forwards going at the moment especially those who have EPL experience.
 
PakLFC said:
Man Ut'd bid has been accepted to if Chelsea want him will have to pay more then £75 million. With Conte happy to let Costa go it seems Chelsea will need to up the offer if they want him. Not many classy forwards going at the moment especially those who have EPL experience.
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Belotti and Morata are better much rather have them tbh.
 
Ridiculous sums of money being thrown at average players. Whoever decides to buy him will have paid too much.
 
WC-Passion said:
Belotti and Morata are better much rather have them tbh.
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Deal for Morata has apparently been agreed for a while. Don't know what is holding up its completion. As it happens Chelsea have equalled Man Utd's £75 million offer for Lakaku. What they are not willing to do is meet his agent's demands.
 
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Surely United will scoop the deal, they have Rooney to use as a bargaining chip.
 
PakLFC said:
Deal for Morata has apparently been agreed for a while. Don't know what is holding up its completion. As it happens Chelsea have equalled Man Utd's £75 million offer for Lakaku. What they are not willing to do is meet his agent's demands.
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Lukaku's agent gets more money if goes to United, and Pogba has convinced him to go there. I think it's been confirmed that United are willing to pay for more in addons and let Rooney go to Everton for free, so they're going to complete the deal instead.

It seems like Chelsea will get Belotti or Morata, Morata was kind of left in limbo because he wants out and he thought he had a deal done with United but now United have lost all interest in him after getting Lukaku. Reports saying we've bid £80m for Belotti too.
 
Lol ridiculous money being offered for him. Personally think he's a bit ovverated. Let's see how he does at United
 
Players sold to English clubs always go for a premium. Players who go from one English club to another attract an even higher premium. To think that back in 2009 Ronaldo was sold for just £80m - today that would be at least £200m.
 
Romelu Lukaku: Man Utd sign Everton striker for initial £75m on five-year deal

Manchester United have signed striker Romelu Lukaku from Everton for an initial £75m on a five-year contract.

The deal for the 24-year-old Belgium international, initially reported by BBC Sport on Thursday, is believed to include £15m in add-ons.

Champions Chelsea had matched the Red Devils' bid, but missed out on re-signing their former player.

"Romelu is a natural fit for Manchester United. He is a big personality and a big player," said boss Jose Mourinho.

"It is only natural that he wants to develop his career at the biggest club.

"He will be a great addition to the group. I am really looking forward to working with him again."

Lukaku, whose contract includes an option for a sixth year, said: "When Manchester United and Jose Mourinho come knocking at the door, it is an opportunity of a lifetime and one that I could not turn down.

"I cannot wait to run out at Old Trafford in front of 75,000 fans."

Lukaku sent a farewell message to Everton on Monday in which he thanked the club and said it was "an honour" to play in front of their fans.

Mourinho was manager of Chelsea when they sold Lukaku to Everton for £28m in July 2014.

The striker spent the 2013-14 season on loan at the Merseyside club before signing a five-year deal that summer.

He netted 68 Premier League goals across his two spells, scoring 25 times in the Premier League last season.

Lukaku turned down the most lucrative contract offer in Everton's history, thought to be worth £140,000 a week, in March and later said: "I don't want to stay at the same level. I want to improve and I know where I want to do that."

The Belgian is on holiday in the United States and will now link up there with United's squad for their pre-season tour.

Lukaku was arrested in Los Angeles last week following a noise complaint and is due is due to appear in court on 2 October.

His arrival at Old Trafford follows Wayne Rooney's departure to rejoin Everton, after 13 years with United.

That deal, which was confirmed on Sunday, was not connected with the Lukaku transfer.

Despite matching United's bid, Chelsea were not willing to match the fees Lukaku's agent Mino Raiola will earn from the move to Old Trafford.

Lukaku in stats

With two goals against Hull City in March, Lukaku became the first Everton player since Gary Lineker in 1985-86 to score 20 league goals in a season.

Lukaku is also only the fourth player to score more than 80 goals in the Premier League before turning 24 (after Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Rooney).

He has scored more goals than any other Everton player in Premier League history (68).

Lukaku is one of only three players to have scored more than 10 goals in each of the past five Premier League seasons (alongside Olivier Giroud and Sergio Aguero).

Transfer records

Top five world record transfers

£89m - Paul Pogba - Juventus to Manchester United, 2016
£86m - Gareth Bale - Tottenham to Real Madrid, 2013
£80m - Cristiano Ronaldo - Manchester United to Real Madrid, 2009
£75.3m - Gonzalo Higuain - Napoli to Juventus, 2016
£75m - Luis Suarez - Liverpool to Barcelona, 2014; Romelu Lukaku - Everton to Manchester United, 2017
Top five British transfer records

£75m - Romelu Lukaku - Everton to Manchester United, 2017
£50m - Fernando Torres - Liverpool to Chelsea, 2011
£47.5m - John Stones - Everton to Manchester City, 2016
£44m - Raheem Sterling - Liverpool to Manchester City, 2015
£37.1m - Juan Mata - Chelsea to Manchester United, 2014
Mourinho & Lukaku - the story so far

Mourinho on Lukaku expressing surprise he was released by Chelsea to join Everton on loan in 2013:

"Romelu likes to speak. He's a young boy who likes to speak. But the only thing he didn't say is why he went to Everton on loan. That's the only thing he never says. And my last contact with him was to tell him exactly that - 'why do you never say why you are not here?'"

Lukaku on Mourinho in December 2015:

"Everyone says it is Mourinho's fault but it is not his fault because I made the decision [to leave Chelsea]. I went to his office to ask if I could go.

"I signed the deal with Everton at 11 o'clock and the first text message I got on my old BlackBerry was from Mourinho saying 'Good luck, do your best and I will see you next season'."

Mourinho on selling Lukaku to Everton:

"Romelu was always very clear with us with his mentality and his approach was not highly motivated to come to a competitive situation with Chelsea.

"He wanted to play for Chelsea but he clearly wanted to be first-choice striker - but for a club of our dimension it is very difficult to promise to a player."

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40550934
 
If he doesn't perform straight away, can't use the excuse of him needing time to adapt to the league :misbah
 
WC-Passion said:
Belotti and Morata are better much rather have them tbh.
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LOLzzz, so they are better than him now that you couldnt sign him.

No one is going to bid £87m for Belotti, even if the market is crazy, he is still unproven and has had only one good season in Series A.

£70m is too much for Morata too, considering he has only been a bench warmer.

If both players were better than Lukaku, im sure Mourinho would've gone for them.

Anything Chelsea get now, will only be a downgrade from Costa.
 
Would Bayern have accepted 75mn for Lewandowski?
 
Slog said:
Would Bayern have accepted 75mn for Lewandowski?
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They don't need the money and they may not have been able to replace him. Also I doubt the player wants to leave Bayern.

They wouldn't have accepted the bid.
 
Slog said:
Would Bayern have accepted 75mn for Lewandowski?
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Think of it this way. When Man Utd wanted James Rodrigues we were told to pay £70m

Bayern got him for a £4.4m-per-year loan (2 year loan) with the option to buy for £31m. £31m in 2 years time is like £15m in todays market.
 
PetroDollars said:
LOLzzz, so they are better than him now that you couldnt sign him.

No one is going to bid £87m for Belotti, even if the market is crazy, he is still unproven and has had only one good season in Series A.

£70m is too much for Morata too, considering he has only been a bench warmer.

If both players were better than Lukaku, im sure Mourinho would've gone for them.

Anything Chelsea get now, will only be a downgrade from Costa.
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Not really I was dreading the signing of Lukaku. Mourinho is not a super agent, you obviously are just ignorant or are trolling because you don't seem to realize that United were desperate to sign Morata but you couldn't agree a fee after you mugged them off with De Gea. Morata was a bench warmer but he still scored 22 goals last season. Apparently Auba is available for £70m according to Sky Sports.
 
I wanted Arsenal to go in for him when I thought the price would be in the region of £35-40m.
£75-95m is laughable.

Mourinho is gonna destroy Manu singlehandedly
 
WC-Passion said:
Not really I was dreading the signing of Lukaku. Mourinho is not a super agent, you obviously are just ignorant or are trolling because you don't seem to realize that United were desperate to sign Morata but you couldn't agree a fee after you mugged them off with De Gea. Morata was a bench warmer but he still scored 22 goals last season. Apparently Auba is available for £70m according to Sky Sports.
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You are sounding like a sore loser, if we were desperate to sign Morata we would have signed him, he was available for £70m and according to reports we were only bidding up to £60m, according to RM we never even put in a bid. You obviously dont understand the meaning of desperate, because it was you who was desperate to sign Lukaku which Conte proved with a last ditch effort to match our bid.

At the end of the day, with the amount we spent on Lukaku, Mourinho could have gotten Morata, Auba or Belloti and he choose Lukaku.
 
IMMY69 said:
I wanted Arsenal to go in for him when I thought the price would be in the region of £35-40m.
£75-95m is laughable.

Mourinho is gonna destroy Manu singlehandedly
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wenger probably dies a bit inside each time he watches Lukaku's ball control. He is a great player and will do well with United but would not work the way Arsenal are set up.

If Morata was more prolific i think Wenger would have definitely gone for him
 
PetroDollars said:
You are sounding like a sore loser, if we were desperate to sign Morata we would have signed him, he was available for £70m and according to reports we were only bidding up to £60m, according to RM we never even put in a bid. You obviously dont understand the meaning of desperate, because it was you who was desperate to sign Lukaku which Conte proved with a last ditch effort to match our bid.

At the end of the day, with the amount we spent on Lukaku, Mourinho could have gotten Morata, Auba or Belloti and he choose Lukaku.
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Once again you are showing your lack of knowledge. Belotti is not going to be sold by £75m and he has an £80+ buy out clause. You wouldn't have signed him because United were not ready to pay the price of £72m for a "bench warming, non PL proven player" and you don't have to be a genius to know that Madrid haven't got a good relationship with United so the price would not have gotten lowered.

If we were so desperate to sign Lukaku, we would have put in a bid much earlier as everyone knew that clubs like PSG, Bayern and United were interested and after telling Costa to leave no club would take that much of a risk.

Also why would I be a sore loser? :)) The season hasn't even started yet, United are not guaranteed to win anything and Chelsea aren't guaranteed to lose out on anything. It's not like Lukaku is the only star striker on the market right now either and we would increasing look like idiots if we bought back a player for £75m and he flopped so that scenario is out of the window.
 
Lukaku is the perfect forward for JoMou's game. He has always won with one dominating target man - may be ugly, but effective. From Jardel (Porto), Drogba & Costa (Chelsea), Milito (Inter), Ibra (MU) & now Lukaku. And, he doesn't like to change formation or rotate squad, therefore his target man has to be made of steel.

Similarly, Lecazzette is perfect for Wengar's style - fast, slick & extremely effective in through balls. With 2 wingers & Ozil behind, in 4231 formation, he should be fantastic. Wenger might sell Giourod now. Chelsea will bring Belleti or may be even Dybala from Conte's old team. Auba is a long shot, but if Costa moves (most likely), Conte will bring a top No. 9 for sure.

We also have done our business great & has brought an equally fantastic (POTENTIAL) CF in Solanki, for 5mn & our great, ambitious owners definitely will reward Klopp for convincing the kid to join us (& we fans, that new Ian Rush was available for 5mn & 35K/week)
 
WC-Passion said:
Once again you are showing your lack of knowledge. Belotti is not going to be sold by £75m and he has an £80+ buy out clause. You wouldn't have signed him because United were not ready to pay the price of £72m for a "bench warming, non PL proven player" and you don't have to be a genius to know that Madrid haven't got a good relationship with United so the price would not have gotten lowered.

If we were so desperate to sign Lukaku, we would have put in a bid much earlier as everyone knew that clubs like PSG, Bayern and United were interested and after telling Costa to leave no club would take that much of a risk.

Also why would I be a sore loser? :)) The season hasn't even started yet, United are not guaranteed to win anything and Chelsea aren't guaranteed to lose out on anything. It's not like Lukaku is the only star striker on the market right now either and we would increasing look like idiots if we bought back a player for £75m and he flopped so that scenario is out of the window.
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No, you have already looked like idiots by losing out to Lukuku and trying to match our bid on the day he signed :))) if that is not desperation what else is it.

The price for Morata would not have gotten lower but it wouldn't have gotten higher than £75m, RM wanted £70m and he was ours, he even dyed his hair red and was prepared to come here only he had to shave his hair off the next day :))) he and RM were clearly taken for a ride.

I even mentioned it before on the transfers thread how Jose going for Morata was strange considering he isn't a Jose type no.9 and Lukuku always fitted the bill, strong, powerful and he can hold up play. It was a no brainer and Jose did his business very cleverly, while Chelsea and RM were taken for a ride.
 
PetroDollars said:
No, you have already looked like idiots by losing out to Lukuku and trying to match our bid on the day he signed :))) if that is not desperation what else is it.

The price for Morata would not have gotten lower but it wouldn't have gotten higher than £75m, RM wanted £70m and he was ours, he even dyed his hair red and was prepared to come here only he had to shave his hair off the next day :))) he and RM were clearly taken for a ride.

I even mentioned it before on the transfers thread how Jose going for Morata was strange considering he isn't a Jose type no.9 and Lukuku always fitted the bill, strong, powerful and he can hold up play. It was a no brainer and Jose did his business very cleverly, while Chelsea and RM were taken for a ride.
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Do you know anything :facepalm:

We matched your bid when reports from credible sources came out that United bid 75m. If we were really desperate we would have matched or beaten the amount of money given to Lukaku's agent (not just the part of the £75m fee to Everton), to help convince him to get Lukaku to Chelsea but we weren't willing to go that low.

Real Madrid were mugging United off with the prices they were asking for as they were agitated due to the DDG deal failing in 2015 but United turned around and said no for once and went to Everton to sign Lukaku as they felt like nobody would see them doing that and they would be able to catch Chelsea out which was a good plan. They clearly wanted Morata at first but they wouldn't let Real Madrid force them into paying a ludicrous amount.

Lukaku fits United better than he fits Chelsea, we need a player who doesn't have a terrible first touch and has better hold up player like Morata. Morata can also run the channels better than Lukaku, but Lukaku can stick the ball in the back of the net better against the teams United struggled to do it against so it can be really good for them. Realistically it works out for all parties (United, Chelsea and RM) if we get Morata, United get Lukaku (two strikers that fit the clubs) and then RM end up with £70m that they can use on targets like Dani Cabellos and others.
 
WC-Passion said:
Do you know anything :facepalm:

We matched your bid when reports from credible sources came out that United bid 75m. If we were really desperate we would have matched or beaten the amount of money given to Lukaku's agent (not just the part of the £75m fee to Everton), to help convince him to get Lukaku to Chelsea but we weren't willing to go that low.

Real Madrid were mugging United off with the prices they were asking for as they were agitated due to the DDG deal failing in 2015 but United turned around and said no for once and went to Everton to sign Lukaku as they felt like nobody would see them doing that and they would be able to catch Chelsea out which was a good plan. They clearly wanted Morata at first but they wouldn't let Real Madrid force them into paying a ludicrous amount.

Lukaku fits United better than he fits Chelsea, we need a player who doesn't have a terrible first touch and has better hold up player like Morata. Morata can also run the channels better than Lukaku, but Lukaku can stick the ball in the back of the net better against the teams United struggled to do it against so it can be really good for them. Realistically it works out for all parties (United, Chelsea and RM) if we get Morata, United get Lukaku (two strikers that fit the clubs) and then RM end up with £70m that they can use on targets like Dani Cabellos and others.
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Your fantasies keep getting worse, keep telling these stories to yourself to satisfy yourself :)))

You obviously dont understand what desperation mean.

Morata was used to keep the headlines away from Lukaku, if anything he was always going to be a fall back option but like i mentioned he never fitted the bill as a Jose no.9.

But dont worry keep your stories for your own self satisfaction if it helps you.
 
Romelu Lukaku: Man United striker to take legal advice over voodoo claim

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku is to seek legal advice over claims made by Everton owner Farhad Moshiri that he opted to leave the club after receiving a "voodoo message".

Moshiri told a shareholders' meeting that Lukaku, 24, received the message from "a pilgrimage to Africa".

Lukaku joined United for £75m in July after rejecting a new deal at Everton.

A representative for the player told BBC Sport: "Romelu's decision had nothing to do with voodoo."

The spokesperson added: "He distances himself from these beliefs and this statement and will now see what judicial steps can be taken in relation to them."

BBC Sport understands the Belgian has been left upset and angry by the claims.

His representative says Lukaku rejected the opportunity to become the highest paid player in Everton's history in order to pursue his desire to play at the highest possible level.

His representative added: "Romelu is very catholic and voodoo is not part of his life or his beliefs.

"He simply had no faith in Everton and no confidence in Mr Moshiri's project. That is why he did not want to sign on any condition.

"He wanted to make the next step in his career and wanted the security to be able to leave."

Last March Lukaku's agent, Mino Raiola, had claimed a new deal to remain at Everton was "99.9% done".

Premier League champions Chelsea had bid for Lukaku, but he then opted instead to join Jose Mourinho's United.

"We offered him a better deal than Chelsea and his agent came to Finch Farm to sign the contract," Moshiri told Everton's annual general meeting.

"Robert [Elstone, chief executive] was there, everything was in place, there were a few reporters outside," he added.

Moshiri said Lukaku then "called his mother" before the player revealed he had received the message telling him to join Chelsea.

The Iranian billionaire, who has put £150m of his own money into the Merseyside club to clear debts, said the Toffees offered the striker an "unbelievable" amount of money to stay and the "issue was not financial".

Moshiri added: "I wasted two summers to keep him. First summer with his agent, him and his family we managed to keep him. Last summer we offered him a better deal than Chelsea - whatever they offered we matched but he just didn't want to stay."

It is understood he rejected numerous opportunities to discuss a new contract as his desire to leave Everton was absolute. He then rebuffed further attempts to keep him at the end of last season. Twelve months previously Everton rejected offers from Lukaku's former club Chelsea to resign the player.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42630016
 
Reminds me a bit of this Adebayor story.

The mother of a millionaire Premier League footballer has been left heartbroken after her son claimed that she was practising black magic on him.

Emmanuel Adebayor has found himself in the middle of a bizarre family feud after suggesting that his mother was a witch.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker’s family, who live in Africa, accused the star of kicking his mother out of her home.

They claim that the footballer’s decision to cut ties with his mother has left her earning just £1-a-day from selling tomatoes.

The 30-year-old star, who earns £170,000-a-week, accused the family of performing ‘juju’ on him, a term given to the practice of witchcraft in West Africa.

But his family, who are from Togo, hit back by claiming that the star had been ‘brainwashed’ by Islamic spiritual healers who told him that his poor form on the football pitch was down to black magic.

While Adebayor scored 14 goals in 25 games last season for Tottenham, he has only managed two strikes in 12 matches so far this campaign.

The Christian footballer denied that he had mistreated his mother Alice, 62, and said that the family was using advisors in black magic against him.

He told Ghanaian radio station Peace FM: ‘Obviously I’m not a pastor, I am a footballer so I cannot point out a witch. I never sacked my mum from the house — she decided to leave the house.

‘But how am I going to be in touch with my mum if my mum is the one telling everyone that my work will not go forward.

‘They should stop talking, talking, they should stop doing juju on me — they should leave me alone.’

He accused his family members of plotting what to do with his wealth when he dies and said they were using advisors he referred to as ‘juju people’.

‘They have already shared all the things I worked for,’ he said. ‘They shared my houses, they shared my cars. They say, “If he dies this car is for you, this house is for you”. Can you imagine?’

Adebayor had phoned the station to angrily respond following an interview with his sister Maggie in which she claimed that the star had not financially supported his family.

As well as claiming that he had driven his mother out of the home believing she was a witch, she also claimed that he has refused to take a phone call from his family members for over a year.

But the riled sportsman said that he did give money to his mother and said his six siblings should do more to look after her.

He said: ‘If they claim I am not looking after my mother, we are seven and so why can’t the rest do it…they should go and work...I remit my mother every month.’

His lorry driver brother Kola said: ‘Every day my mother is crying. She told me, ‘Emmanuel has accused me of being a witch’.’

He said that Muslim advisors known as ‘alfas’ were manipulating his brother and had convinced the footballer that his mother is a witch.

Kola, 42, who lives in Bremen, Germany, said: ‘My mother is very sad. Every day she is crying. I just talked to her on the phone and she was crying again.

‘Emmanuel will not even talk to her. He’s been brainwashed by these Muslim alfas — spiritual men — who prophesise when he scores goals and why he is not playing well.

‘My family is Christian but it is not unusual to visit Muslim spiritual healers. He is seeing bad alfas and they are manipulating him.’
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...claims-mother-practising-black-magic-him.html
 
Romelu Lukaku has hit back at criticism from Gary Neville by saying the pundit should "never say I am unprofessional".

The Belgium striker, 26, was also called "overweight" by the former Manchester United defender on Twitter.

Lukaku left the Old Trafford club this summer to join Serie A side Inter Milan for £74m on a five-year deal.

"Don't question my professionalism," Lukaku told BBC Sport. "I live for this game. I am at home all the time. I try to do everything to improve."

In a wide-ranging interview with BBC Sport's Simon Stone in Milan, Lukaku spoke about:

Former Chelsea and West Brom striker Lukaku joined United from Everton for £75m in 2017, scoring 42 goals in 96 games for the club - but managing just 15 last season.

And, after the appointment of Solskjaer, who replaced the sacked Jose Mourinho last December, he struggled to get into the team with Marcus Rashford preferred up front.

Lukaku said: "He (Neville) can talk about my fitness but he should never say anything about my professionalism, that I don't work hard enough. That is something he cannot say. All the coaches I have had say the same thing about me.

"What did Ole Gunnar Solskjaer say when I was on the training ground? What did he say? That I always work hard and always do my best to try and improve myself. Same with Jose Mourinho and Roberto Martinez. Now Antonio Conte will say it.

"Last year was just a bad year. It happens in football. You just have to move on. I am not going to sit here and react in a negative way.

"We are grown men. He is a pundit. He gets paid to say this kind of stuff. I am paid to play football. I just want to do my best for Inter Milan. That is it."

Lukaku's move meant he became the third most expensive signing by a Serie A club after the Juventus duo of Cristiano Ronaldo (£99.2m) and Gonzalo Higuain (£75.3m).

He joins a club which last won a trophy in 2011 when Inter claimed the Italian Cup, while his brother Jordan plays in the league for Lazio.

"I call myself a student of the game," said Lukaku. "I try to watch as many games as possible. The tactical side was the most important thing for me to improve. I am 26 - I want to improve different aspects of my game.

"When I was growing up, Italy had Ronaldo, Adriano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They were three players I looked up to as a kid. For me that was really interesting.

"My brother is playing here. Playing at Inter Milan is a blessing for me. It is a club with a big history. It is hungry and wants to improve and do well. I was at a stage where I needed a new challenge. This one came at the right time."

Asked what went wrong at United, Lukaku said: "I don't know. I don't try to look back at it. The way I look at it is that I beat all the odds.

"Coming from where I came from, growing up the way that I did, I think I beat the odds. No-one thought I would do the steps I have in my life as a professional footballer, only me and my family.

"For me, the Manchester United experience is one I am grateful for - not a good one because we didn't win and I wanted to win with the club - but they gave me a chance.

"I got to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, so I will always be respectful to them. At the end, I thought it was better for me to move on and try different things.

"I wish them well for the future. Now I am on my own path and I am very happy in Serie A."

Earlier this month, Lukaku said he, French midfielder Paul Pogba and Chilean Alexis Sanchez were made scapegoats after United's poor season in which they finished sixth in the Premier League and ended a second successive campaign without a trophy.

Sanchez, who played in Italy for Udinese, has since joined Lukaku on loan at Inter, while rumours persist about Pogba's future at the club.

"That was my feeling at the time," said Lukaku. "If you look back at it, I am not wrong. The thing about me is that I always speak the truth. What I think is what I am going to say. It is what I felt. It is what I saw.

"But I cannot always look back and say this and this and this happened and Ole was not the right manager for me. I cannot do that. Me and Ole tried to work together but at one point I had to be honest with him. He was also honest with me. We found an agreement. I wanted to go. He understood why I wanted to go.

"It is something I will always be grateful to him for. We had a conversation man to man. I told him how I felt and he understood. He will always get massive respect from me and massive protection.

"It is a good move for Sanchez. He played in this league before. The people here know him. In the Premier League he did really well when he was at Arsenal.

"He has had a difficult time at Manchester United. Coming here was the right move, in a good dressing room, where the manager wants winners who can really help the team. He is going to be part of that.

"He is going to add a lot of competition to the squad we already have. Now it is up to him to show it. I really believe he is going to do well for us. We are here to help him out. Hopefully, he can add that little spark to our team."

On United's pre-season tour of Australia and Singapore, Lukaku trained just once with his team-mates and in another session he watched on as they worked without him for 40 minutes.

Solskjaer had said that Lukaku "was not fit" but despite playing no pre-season games and missing a lot of training, the Belgian disputed the claims and said there had not been any fitness issues.

"I was training by myself for the last couple of weeks in Manchester with one of the physical coaches," he said.

"From Singapore until I moved here, I was basically only doing running and not training on the pitch. When I got here they asked me what I had been doing.

"I had not done any group training, only running, so we kept the running part going. They introduced me to the group exercises and then they organised some friendlies and that was it.

"When I arrived, the first four days were about building up the physical aspect, getting as fit as possible for the first game - do a lot of physical work and adapt tactically to what he (Conte) wants on the pitch.

"How we play involves a lot of pressing, being in the right positions. You have to be alert and sharp in training."

Asked if there was a fitness issue, Lukaku replied "no".

Asked if he knew why United believed there was, he replied "no".

Conte 'is a nice man'
Lukaku joined former Juventus and Chelsea boss Conte in Milan, having called the Italian "the best manager in the world" in July.

He made a dream debut for the Nerazzurri, scoring on his Serie A debut in a 4-0 thrashing of Lecce.

"Obviously, he missed out on me when he was at Juve and at Chelsea but right now, it was the right timing and the right circumstances for me," said Lukaku.

"I wanted to discover something else, a new challenge and play for a club that is hungry and ambitious to do the right things, with the right manager we have right now.

"I think we have to work hard day in, day out to achieve what we want to do in the end. We are making the right steps to improve.

"Outside that he is a nice man, somebody who is really motivating you, even when you are doing such hard work on the pitch. It is quite good and everybody is working really hard."

Analysis - Lukaku's 'change in demeanour'
BBC Sport's Simon Stone:

Romelu Lukaku cut a pretty relaxed figure at Inter Milan's spectacular new offices, a 15-minute walk from the city's magnificent central railway station.

The change in his demeanour from when I last saw him, slumped on a bench at Singapore's National Stadium following another pre-season solo session ahead of Manchester United's friendly with Inter could not be more marked.

There is a reason for that, apart from the warm temperature and blue sky he is likely to see substantially more of in Milan than he did in Manchester.

Lukaku has got his wish. A chance to play for a coach, Antonio Conte, he feels understands him, whose style of play suits his own and for a club he evidently feels is heading in the right direction.

The Belgian repeated his desire to win things a number of times. That he won nothing in his two years in Manchester was a source of regret.

But, by the end of his time at Old Trafford, the schism between player and club had grown so wide it could not be bridged, despite a goal contribution his former club do not have an obvious way of matching.

Lukaku felt, no matter what he did at Old Trafford, he would be criticised by fans and he was unconvinced by the club's future direction.

As Lukaku put it "I just wanted to leave". Now he has his wish, exiting with well-chosen words that will, largely, not irritate United.

But, what did the 26-year-old mean by this, which was dropped into an answer about the arrival of former United team-mate Alexis Sanchez?

"Coming here was the right move, in a good dressing room, where the manager wants winners who can really help the team."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49529591
 
I think a superstar like Lukaku belongs in a major team like Manchester United. Money is not everything; it is about building career.
 
Romelu Lukaku says he "didn't have the energy" to stay at Manchester United despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanting him to remain at Old Trafford ahead of his move to Inter Milan.

Lukaku's move to Serie last August brought to an end a two-year spell at United that saw him face regular criticism for his performances, particularly in his second season with the club.

United boss Solskjaer said in September that it had been the "right decision" to let Lukaku leave, as it allowed first-team opportunities for youngster Mason Greenwood.

In a YouTube interview with Ian Wright, Lukaku said: "One bad year can happen to everybody in their career. It was just done for me. You know what happened behind the scenes, it was just done. For me it was done.

"It was a difficult situation where for myself I had to make a decision where I have to go somewhere where I can learn other aspects of my game and work with somebody that wanted me as well.

"Ole wanted me to stay, but I told him I was over. I didn't have the energy. All credit to him because he's been a man and he helped me make the move away."

After a challenging start to the season, United's form has picked up to put them in contention for a top-four Premier League finish, while they remained in the FA Cup and Europa League before football was suspended by the coronavirus pandemic.

"They're going the right way because they're bringing in the right players," Lukaku said. "Ole is doing a good job and the results are going for them. I'm wishing them nothing but the best.

"It's a club that gave me a platform that I've never seen in my life, so for me to be disrespectful about Man U or any other club I played for in England I think is a bit childish. I think I went past that stage of talking back to people."

'Close call between Inter and Juve'
Lukaku scored 42 goals in 96 appearances for United, but has scored at an even greater rate since arriving at Inter, where he has struck 23 times in 35 games.

The 26-year-old revealed it was a "close" call as to whether he joined Inter or Serie A rivals Juventus, but that the Milan side's head coach Antonio Conte played a crucial role in his decision.

"It was close. It was really close but my mind was always set on Inter… and the manager," Lukaku said. "When I was a kid, Inter was my team in Italy. I looked up to Adriano and Ronaldo.

"Obviously when Inter came, the club, the manager Conte that wanted me at Chelsea and when he was at Juve as well, I was like now it's time to go over there and see what it's like, but just keep my head down and work."

Lukaku has been in quarantine for nine days as Italy remains on lockdown because of the coronavirus, with the country the worst hit in Europe.

The former Chelsea revealed that he is unable to see his mum, who suffers from diabetes, and has also not been seeing his young son.
"I just miss the regular life," Lukaku said. "Being with my mum, being with my son, being with my brother.

"I'm thinking about everybody man. It's bad because you can't have normal contact with human beings.

"I miss training, I miss playing games in front of fans, you start appreciating what you have.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...-boss-ole-gunnar-solskjaer-wanted-to-keep-him
 
Romelu Lukaku says Chelsea return was 'chance of a lifetime' as he thanks Inter Milan fans

Romelu Lukaku has written an open letter to Inter Milan fans, thanking them for their support during his two years at the club but insisting he could not turn down the "chance of a lifetime" to rejoin Chelsea.

Lukaku returned to Chelsea this week in a club-record £97.5m transfer, 10 years after he first signed for the club as a teenager from Anderlecht.

The striker struggled to make an impression during his first spell - failing to score in 15 appearances - and moved to Everton in 2014 before joining Inter, via Manchester United.

Lukaku enjoyed two outstanding years at Inter and scored 24 goals in Serie A last season to help them to their first Italian title in 11 years, after which he insisted he would remain at San Siro for the 2021/22 campaign.

However, Lukaku changed his mind and asked Inter to arrange to sell him to Chelsea after it became clear the club wanted to make his return a reality.

Inter originally insisted the 28-year-old was not for sale but ultimately agreed to his departure amid pressure to raise funds this summer.

Addressing the club's supporters for the first time since leaving, Lukaku wrote on Twitter: "Dear Inter fans. Thank you… Thank you for making me and my family feel at home in Milano.

"Thank you for the unconditional support and love on a daily basis. Thank you for motivating me even more after the first season.

"When I came to Inter I immediately felt that I would do well for this club. The love and reception I first received at Malpensa airport was the start of a beautiful story.

"I made it my mission to never let you down every time I wore the Inter shirt. I gave 100 per cent in every training session and every game so that I could make you proud.

"Our first season ended in the toughest possible way but you guys gave me the strength to continue to keep pushing and we did as a team. That's why we became champions together.

"I hope you guys understand my decision to move on to Chelsea. It's the chance of lifetime for me and I think at this time of my career it is a chance that I always dreamed of.

"One thing is for sure and that is that I will always remain an 'interista' because without you I wouldn't be the player or man I am today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Lukaku - who grew up a Chelsea supporter - is understood to feel he has a point to prove at Stamford Bridge following his underwhelming first spell.

Chelsea also held an interest in Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland and Tottenham's Harry Kane this summer, but opted for Lukaku to try to solve the issues that saw seven other sides score more Premier League goals than them last season.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...e-of-a-lifetime-as-he-thanks-inter-milan-fans
 
And he scores!

GOAL - Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea
Romelu Lukaku

It's taken him 14 minutes!

This is why Chelsea brought the big man back. He holds the ball up, helps spread it wide and is there waiting to side-foot Reece James' low ball into an unguarded net.

Simple and ruthless.
 
4 games for Chelsea, 4 goals. By the end of the season, he'll be considered by everyone as a top 3 striker in the world, if not already.
 
Romelu Lukaku declared he is "not happy" at Chelsea and aimed a swipe at Thomas Tuchel's tactics as the crisis at Stamford Bridge intensifies in a recent interview.

Lukaku, 28, joined the Blues in a club-record £97.5million transfer from Inter Milan less than five months ago but he is already dreaming of a return to the Italian giants in the future and regrets the nature of his San Siro exit.
 
<b>talkSPORT: Thomas Tuchel admits he didn’t like ‘unhelpful, surprising’ Romelu Lukaku interview and insists Chelsea striker doesn’t seem unhappy</b>

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel admits he was left surprised by Romelu Lukaku’s ‘unhelpful’ comments after the Blues striker claimed to be unhappy at Stamford Bridge and keen to rejoin Inter Milan.

In a stunning interview with Italian media, conducted three weeks ago but released yesterday, the Blues striker expressed disappointment at Tuchel’s preferred style of play following a difficult run of individual form.

Lukaku has since rediscovered his goalscoring touch with two in as many Premier League matches.

But a combination of injury, COVID-19 and simply being left out by Tuchel meant his £97.5million move was far from successful at the time of the interview.

“Physically I am fine. But I’m not happy with the situation at Chelsea,” Lukaku told Sky in Italy in a conversation that took place earlier in December.

“Tuchel has chosen to play with another system – I won’t give up, I’ll be professional. I am not happy with the situation but I am professional – and I can’t give up now.”

He added: “I really, genuinely from the bottom of my heart hope to come back to Inter, not at the end of my career, but while I am still at the level to win more trophies.”

Tuchel admits he didn’t like Lukaku’s comments, although the German insists the media may have blown the interview out of proportion.

“We don’t like it, of course, because it brings noise that we don’t need and is not helpful,” said Tuchel.

“But on the other side, we don’t want to make more out of it than it actually is.

“You know very well how it is, it’s very easy to take lines out of context, to shorten lines to make headlines, then realise later it’s not so bad or what he meant.

“But let’s be honest, we don’t like it, because it’s noise we don’t need, we need a calm environment.

“I don’t feel him unhappy; I feel the exact opposite. If you ask me yesterday morning, I would say he is ‘absolutely fine’.

“If there is something to discuss, it’s behind closed doors, for sure.

“If it’s an interview from a person of that kind of interest, an important player, I totally understand the process. And that’s why it’s a lot of extra noise, but still we are not here to just read the headlines.

“And maybe we here can take the time to try to understand what’s going on.

“Because it does not reflect his daily work, it does not reflect his daily attitude, the daily behaviour which Romelu shows here at Cobham.

“But you need to ask him not me, I cannot answer you further, because I was surprised.”

Tuchel insisted he would take a measured approach in reaction to Lukaku’s comments and in talks with the 28-year-old.

But Chelsea’s German boss also claimed a certain level of tension in a top club’s dressing room can be turned into an advantage.

“It’s not necessary for the dressing room to be always in harmony,” said Tuchel.

“You don’t have to hug each other and love each other every day.

“Sometimes it’s good to be on the edge, sometimes it’s good to be in disharmony, when it is in between certain boundaries.

“The thing with Romelu is that I don’t think anyone in this building is aware he’s unhappy.

“That’s why (there is) surprise at the statement. That’s why we need to check with him now, because I can see no reason why it should be like this.

“So I will wait to see what Romelu has to say and then we will deal with this.”

— — —
 
Romelu Lukaku says he turned down a move to MCFC in 2020, and only decided to swap Inter Milan for CFC when his request for a new contract in Italy was rejected this summer.
 
The plot thickens. This could get a bit messy.
 
Romelu Lukaku: Chelsea striker says he turned down Manchester City move in 2020 from Inter Milan

Romelu Lukaku says he turned down a move to Manchester City in 2020, and only decided to swap Inter Milan for Chelsea when his request for a new contract in Italy was rejected this summer.

In a 29-minute interview with Sky in Italy recorded earlier in December, Lukaku said he was "not happy" with his situation at Chelsea, questioning Thomas Tuchel's system and talking up the prospect of returning to Inter while he is still playing at a "good enough level".

Tuchel conceded the comments are "not helpful" as they "bring noise that we don't need", but claimed the striker looks far from unsettled at Chelsea.

In a second part of the interview released on Friday, Lukaku said he decided to stay in Italy last summer and would "100 per cent" still be there if the club granted him his wish of a new deal in the summer.

"When I was at Inter, at the end of the first year, I turned down an offer from Manchester City which was higher than Chelsea's this summer," Lukaku said.

"I did it because it had only been a year, it wasn't the right time to leave and I didn't want to. I wanted to do something good for Inter, because I have to say that Inter saved my career to some extent.

"I was in a deep hole at Manchester United, things weren't going well. I was a big investment for Inter but we did great things together.

"So the second year after we won the Scudetto, I went to speak with club chiefs and asked for a new contract. I did it because I told myself I'm 28 years old, my family feels great in Milan, I still have my flat there, my mother and my son could come and live there and we would all feel comfortable.

"But they didn't want to extend my contract, the possibility wasn't there. It was tough for me to accept, because in my head I told myself that I would be able to do a few more years in Milan."

"In my opinion, there are three absolute top teams in football - Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Every player dreams of playing for one of these teams one day. So I thought if I ever had that possibility, I would sign a new contract with Inter and then go there.

"But it didn't happen, so I told myself that there is only one team where I could possibly see myself - Chelsea. I wasn't thinking about going there, but at one point they came in for me and so I asked [Inter boss Simone] Inzaghi to leave.

"The fact that they didn't try to make me sign a new contract bothered me a bit, it hurt me even. If Inter offered me a new contract, I would have stayed 100 per cent. That goes without saying.

"Also the fact that I hadn't won anything in England in eight years there bothered me a lot. So it was hard to turn down the chance to come back here with the team I have supported since I was a child."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...manchester-city-move-in-2020-from-inter-milan
 
Sounds like he's already lining up his next move and his signing-on fee.
 
Chelsea have omitted Romelu Lukaku from their squad for the Premier League game against Liverpool on Sunday.

In an interview with Sky Italy recorded a few weeks ago but aired on Thursday, Lukaku said he was unhappy with his role at the club and would like to return to Inter Milan in the near future.

Lukaku, 28, has scored in his last two Premier League appearances - against Aston Villa and Brighton - following his return to the Chelsea squad after testing positive for Covid-19.
 
Lukaka is an absolute clown. Never wanted him. We should have waited one more year for Haaland.
 
Saj said:
Sounds like he's already lining up his next move and his signing-on fee.
Click to expand...

Wont mind a direct swap with Hary Kane from Spurs. We should be comfortable paying 10 million + Lukaka.
 
I don't think there's any coming back from this with Tuchel still as manager, the rift is too wide now.
 
Will be a surprise if Lukaku lasts until the end of January at Chelsea to be honest, this has been a fundamental breach of trust and Thomas Tuchel doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who would tolerate these sort of player antics.
 
Chelsea: Thomas Tuchel says Romelu Lukaku situation was 'too big & too noisy' as striker was dropped for Liverpool game

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says Romelu Lukaku was dropped for the Liverpool game because the situation around the striker "got too big and too noisy".

In an interview recorded several weeks ago but aired on Thursday, Lukaku said he was "not happy" with his bit-part role under Tuchel earlier this season.

He added he would like to return to Inter Milan in the near future.

"I decided to protect the preparation of the match and that's why he's out," Tuchel said before Sunday's match.

The German said he has spoken with club record signing Lukaku and senior players about the matter.

"Of course we have spoken, twice," Tuchel added. "I have spoken to the main players, then we had to realise it is too close to the match.

"The thing got too big, the thing got too noisy, so close to the match.

"We delayed the decision and while we are doing that we have to protect the preparation of the match.

"We have a big match of football to play. We need full focus which is hard enough to get without this decision, but that is why he is not playing. For sure it was a difficult decision to take."

On Friday, following the broadcast of the Sky Sport Italia interview, Tuchel said Lukaku's comments "brings noise that we don't need".

Lukaku, 28, has scored seven goals in 18 appearances since he rejoined Chelsea from Italian champions Inter Milan for £97.5m in the summer.

He has also been hampered by injury and illness and, at times, found himself left out of the starting line-up even when fit.

However, he has had a recent upturn in form, scoring in his last two Premier League appearances, after discussions about his role with Tuchel.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59854421
 
Reports that a meeting was to be held today between Lukaku and Tuchel.

I can't imagine Chelsea will want to lose a player of Lukaku's class who will be difficult to replace.
 
Romelu Lukaku: Chelsea striker will stay at club after clear-the-air talks with Thomas Tuchel

Romelu Lukaku will stay at Chelsea following clear-the-air talks with Thomas Tuchel and the striker accepts his controversial interview with Sky in Italy was a mistake.

In an interview with Sky in Italy that was recorded a few weeks ago but first aired last Thursday, Lukaku said he was unhappy with his role at the club and would like to return to Inter Milan in the near future.

But Lukaku now believes he should not have made the comments that led to him being omitted from Chelsea's squad for the 2-2 home draw against Liverpool on Sunday.

Following conversations with Tuchel, there is now a commitment from all parties for Lukaku to move on from the interview and help Chelsea reignite their Premier League title bid.

But a transfer away from Chelsea has never been discussed and he will not be leaving the club this month or next summer.

After revealing he only decided to swap Inter Milan for Chelsea when his request for a new contract in Italy was rejected, Lukaku now insists he wanted to join the Blues this summer and that he was not forced to rejoin the club.

Meanwhile, there is no truth in reports from Italy on Monday suggesting Lukaku is interested in linking back up with former Inter boss Antonio Conte at Tottenham.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...-after-clear-the-air-talks-with-thomas-tuchel
 
"He apologised and is back in the squad for today's training"

Romelu Lukaku has apologised and will return to the Chelsea squad for their game against Tottenham on Wednesday.
 
Saw the apology video and he literally ate all of his words. Absolute shambles.
 
Seems to have been well managed by Tuchel.
 
All good now.

Back in the starting line-up tonight against Spurs after apologising to the fans and his team-mates.
 
Thomas Tuchel praises Romelu Lukaku's commitment on his Chelsea return in Carabao Cup win over Tottenham

Thomas Tuchel praised the performance of Romelu Lukaku in Chelsea's 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

Lukaku was not among the scorers on his return to the team after being omitted from the squad against Liverpool following his incendiary interview but still impressed the Chelsea boss.

"He was strong and he was involved," said Tuchel. "He showed huge commitment in our defensive work and he was always dangerous and used his body well.

"I expected it because I know he can handle pressure and adversity and he seemed to be relaxed after the decision was made when we had finished our talks that he would put in a performance like that."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...lsea-return-in-carabao-cup-win-over-tottenham
 
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said "it is not the time to laugh about" Romelu Lukaku after the £97.5m striker's recent struggles.

Lukaku only touched the ball seven times in Saturday's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, the lowest number any player has managed in a 90-minute Premier League appearance since at least 2003, when that data was first recorded.

"He's in the spotlight and we'll protect him. Romelu will always be part of the solution," Tuchel said.

"Sometimes it's like this with strikers if they struggle a little bit with self-confidence and to find the space to get involved with a good defensive side.

"Of course it's not what we want and what Romelu wants but it's also not the time to laugh about him and make jokes.”

Belgium striker Lukaku, 28, has only managed five Premier League goals in 17 appearances since rejoining Champions League holders Chelsea this summer, scoring another five in other competitions.

He has yet to score a league goal in 2022 since being dropped for a game following an interview that appeared critical of the club.
 
Romelu Lukaku: Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel refusing to give up on Blues' misfiring striker

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel is refusing to give up on Romelu Lukaku and tells Sky Sports it is a matter of pride for him to get the striker back to his goalscoring best at Stamford Bridge.

Lukaku finds himself as an understudy to Kai Havertz up front less than nine months after becoming Chelsea's most expensive signing ever in the summer after re-joining from Inter Milan for £97.5m.

The former Manchester United and Everton striker has managed just five goals in 20 appearances on his return to the Premier League - he has never finished a campaign in England with less than 12.

But Tuchel has faith that he and Lukaku, Belgium's record goalscorer, can find a formula to reignite the 28-year-old's career in west London.

"It is pride for me and it should hopefully also be pride for him - and it is I guess," Tuchel told Sky Sports News.

"This is how we feel, we feel things getting personal then if we don't get it right and I feel it with any player. If we cannot get the best out of a player for the team it feels, personally for me I feel it and I don't want to have that feeling so.

"You never give up on players, you never give in, and I think Romelu is such a competitor that he feels the same and he behaves in the same way."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...efusing-to-give-up-on-blues-misfiring-striker
 
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku has no interest in signing for AC Milan or Newcastle this summer, despite the 28-year-old's growing frustration at a lack of opportunities at Chelsea. (Evening Standard)
 
Lukaku playing against Leeds for Chelsea tonight.

One of his better performances this season. Been really good up front as a targetman.

Very unlucky not to grab a couple of goals.
 
James said:
Lukaku playing against Leeds for Chelsea tonight.

One of his better performances this season. Been really good up front as a targetman.

Very unlucky not to grab a couple of goals.
Click to expand...

Gets one at last! :)
 
Chelsea transfer news: Romelu Lukaku distances himself from agent's claim he wants talks over future

Romelu Lukaku has distanced himself from his agent's claim that the striker wants to hold talks with Chelsea this summer over his future at the club.

Lukaku joined Chelsea in a club-record £97.5m transfer from Inter Milan at the start of the season but has struggled to justify his hefty price tag.

The 29-year-old has been hampered by illness, injury and a lack of form, leading to him scoring just 15 goals in 42 games across all competitions for the Blues this season.

Lukaku gave a controversial interview to Sky in Italy in December in which he questioned Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel's tactics and raised the prospect of returning to Inter.

Since then, the striker has often found himself on the bench, with Tuchel preferring Kai Havertz as his No 9, although Lukaku has found form in the past week having scored three goals in the Blues' last two games.

Federico Pastorello, Lukaku's agent, gave an interview to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, published on Friday, in which he admitted his client had encountered "problems" at Stamford Bridge during the campaign and would seek talks with Chelsea, who are set to be taken over by Todd Boehly's consortium this month.

Pastorello said: "Given the figures of the transfer, no one could have expected such a situation. I'm not the one to discuss technical choices, but it is obvious that there was a problem.

"The numbers, however, must be weighted. He is the best scorer of the team this season, even with a lower playing time compared to his team-mates."

Lukaku appeared to be unhappy with his agent's public comments, though, and took to Instagram later on Friday to say Pastorello's interview was "not in my name".

"Never ever will I let someone speak for me," wrote Lukaku. "I kept my mouth shut and focused on helping the team end the season in the best way possible.

"So if someone [is] out there trying to say something about me and the club... not in my name."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...-from-agents-claim-he-wants-talks-over-future
 
Chelsea have told their Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, 29, he can rejoin Inter Milan on loan if the finances are right for the Premier League side. (Guardian)

However, Inter are not confident of reaching an agreement with Chelsea because of the finances involved. (Mail)
 
Romelu Lukaku: Inter Milan confident of securing Chelsea striker's loan return

Inter Milan are confident they can complete a loan deal for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.

The clubs held further talks today over the make up of the deal.

One source has told Sky Sports News there is a €5m gap between the €10m Chelsea want and the €5m Inter want to pay in a loan fee.

Chelsea paid Inter £97.5m to sign Lukaku last summer, but the Belgian scored just eight Premier League goals in 26 outings.

In December, Lukaku told Sky in Italy he wanted to return to Inter one day. He said: "I really hope in the depths of my heart to return to Inter, not at the end of my career, but at a still good level to hopefully win more."

Last week, it was revealed Inter cannot afford to sign Lukaku - who scored 64 goals in 95 games and helped them to the Serie A title during his time at the club - on a permanent deal.

Inter chief executive Giuseppe Marotta has said the club are in "no rush" over Lukaku's potential return but remain keen on re-signing him this summer.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...dent-of-securing-chelsea-strikers-loan-return
 
Inter President Steven Zhang was asked for news on the imminent return of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea and his response spoke louder than words.

The patron was driving away from the club headquarters after signing a contract extension with coach Simone Inzaghi to June 2024.

Zhang, the son of Suning chief Zhang Jindong, was asked if he was happy at the Inzaghi news and said yes.

He was then asked “if Lukaku arrives, you will be more happy?”

The wide grin and laugh from Zhang said it all.

Negotiations are in progress to bring Lukaku back to San Siro on loan from Chelsea at a cost of €7m plus bonuses.

The centre-forward is prepared to take a massive pay cut to push through the move, as he regrets the €113m transfer to Chelsea last summer.

https://football-italia.net/inter-president-zhang-grins-at-lukaku-question/
 
Chelsea and Inter Milan have reached an agreement over a loan move for striker Romelu Lukaku, according to Sky Italy.
 
<b>Inter Milan to sign Romelu Lukaku on season-long loan from Chelsea</b>

Italian club Inter Milan have agreed a deal to sign striker Romelu Lukaku on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

The Blues signed the 29-year-old from Inter for £97.5m in August 2021, but he will return to the Serie A side having struggled last season.

The loan fee for Lukaku is about 8m euros (£6.9m).

The Belgium international scored 15 goals in all competitions for Chelsea last season, with eight in 26 Premier League appearances.

It is understood Lukaku was willing to take a pay cut to rejoin Inter, who won the Serie A title in 2020-21 with him leading their attack.

The Italian club's financial situation meant it was impossible for them to match Lukaku's wages or buy the frontman outright.

However, president Steven Zhang got involved personally in the negotiations on Monday, which was viewed as significant.

Lukaku, who left Chelsea to join Everton for £28m in 2014, returned to the Stamford Bridge side last summer on a five-year deal for a club-record fee.

However, he apologised for an interview during the season where he said he was not happy with his role under Blues manager Thomas Tuchel and wanted to return to the Italian club in the near future.

Lukaku scored only three times in his final 15 top-flight outings of the season as Chelsea's season fizzled out.

Tuchel's side finished third in the Premier League, while they were beaten by Liverpool on penalties in both the FA Cup and League Cup finals.

Inter finished second in Serie A last season, two points behind city rivals AC Milan.

They are also in talks with Juventus forward Paulo Dybala.

The Argentina international, 28, is set to be a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the month.

BBC
 
Chelsea buy a striker in his prime for £97.5m, pay him £325,000 per week, then send him on a loan to the club they bought him for the next season.

Must be an ATG terrible deal.
 
Romelu Lukaku has returned to Inter Milan on a season-long loan, just a year after leaving for Chelsea.

Chelsea paid Inter a club-record £97.5m for Lukaku, 29, last summer but, before Christmas, he said he was "not happy" and hoped to rejoin the Italian side.

Inter have agreed to pay a loan fee of about 8m euros (£6.9m) for Lukaku, who helped them win Serie A in 2020-21.

The Belgium striker was not a regular starter for Chelsea last season but scored 15 goals in all competitions.

It is understood Lukaku was willing to take a pay cut to seal a move back to Inter, but the club's financial situation meant it was impossible for them to match his wages or buy the forward outright.

However, president Steven Zhang got involved personally in the negotiations last week, which was viewed as significant.


"I am very happy." Zhang added: "The big boss is back. It is like deja vu, coming back here again."

'Like coming home'

In an interview with Inter TV, Lukaku said it was "like coming home" and he had been in contact with his new coach Simone Inzaghi "all last season".

"Inter have given me so much and I hope now to do even better than before," said the frontman, who scored 64 goals in 95 appearances during his first spell in Italy.

"I didn't even leave my home when I went to England, which shows how happy I am to be back here."

Asked what convinced him to return, Lukaku added: "The affection of the fans and my team-mates, but also the opportunity to work with the coach. I stayed in contact with him all last season."

Lukaku, who left Chelsea to join Everton for £28m in 2014, returned to Stamford Bridge last summer on a five-year deal.

But after spells out with injury and illness, he was left out of the starting line-up and, in an interview with Sky Sport Italia, said he was not happy with his role under manager Thomas Tuchel.

After apologising for those comments, Lukaku returned to the Chelsea squad and scored only three times in his final 15 Premier League games of last term as the Blues' season fizzled out.

Tuchel's side finished third in the Premier League, while they were beaten by Liverpool on penalties in both the FA Cup and League Cup finals.

Inter finished second in Serie A last season, two points behind city rivals AC Milan. They are also in talks with Juventus forward Paulo Dybala.

The Argentina international, 28, is set to be a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the month.

BBC
 
Romelu Lukaku scored less than two minutes into his Serie A return to help Inter beat Lecce in dramatic fashion in the opening game of the season.

Lukaku, who re-signed for Inter on a season-long loan just a year after leaving for Chelsea, headed home from close range to open the scoring.

Lecce hit back three minutes after the restart through Assan Ceesay.

However, Denzel Dumfries sealed all three points with a last-gasp effort from close range following a corner.

Inter are aiming to reclaim the Scudetto, having relinquished their crown to rivals AC Milan last season.
 
Chelsea are ready to allow Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, 29, to remain on loan at Inter Milan next season before writing off millions of pounds by selling him. (Gazzetta dello Sport, via Mirror)
 
Lukaku set to miss opening two games

The injury blows continue for some national teams with the news Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku will not play for Belgium at the World Cup until at least their final Group F match against Croatia, according to AFP.

The forward did not take part in the Red Devils' first proper training session since they arrived in Qatar on Friday as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

He has played just twice for Inter since August after first picking up the injury in a 3-1 defeat at Lazio.

Lukaku scored a 4-0 win against Viktoria Plzen that ensured Inter's passage to the last 16 of the Champions League but then injured his hamstring again a few days later.

Belgium begin their World Cup campaign on Wednesday against Canada and also take on Morocco before facing Croatia.
 
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