Romelu Lukaku’s return to Inter Milan was supposed to be a love story. But it seems like the Belgian forward’s reunion with the Serie A club has been anything but a fairy tale. After a blockbuster £98 million move to Chelsea last summer, Lukaku has failed to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge, leading to a shocking interview where he expressed his desire to return to Inter.
Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan
Following his controversial interview, Lukaku’s wish was granted in the form of a loan back to Inter. However, his second stint with the Italian club has been riddled with injuries and inconsistency, with Lukaku managing just five goals in 17 appearances so far.
Inter’s CEO, Giuseppe Marotta, recently spoke to Sky Italia about Lukaku’s loan and his struggles this season.
“The loan was for one season so on June 30 regardless of how well he plays, he’ll go back to Chelsea,” Marotta said. “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.”
Lukaku’s struggles this season have been a far cry from his form under Antonio Conte last season in Milan, where he formed an exceptional partnership with Lautaro Martinez and helped fire Inter to the Scudetto. Lukaku was supposed to take the next step in his career by moving to Chelsea, but it seems like the Premier League has posed a tougher challenge than he had originally expected.
Lukaku Interview
In late December, Lukaku stoked controversy when he expressed his displeasure with the situation at Chelsea and compared the team’s tactics to those at Inter Milan.
“I’m not happy with the situation at Chelsea. The coach has chosen to play with another system, which means we play with wing-backs. At Inter, we played with a back four. I prefer to play with a back four. In the near future, I want to return to Inter.”
Conclusion
It remains uncertain whether Lukaku’s wish will come true, but one thing is certain: things have not gone according to plan in his second stint at Inter. With just a few months left in his loan spell, Lukaku will need to find his form quickly if he wants to leave a lasting impression on the club that he once called home.
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