Graham Potter not keen on Romelu Lukaku returning to Chelsea after his loan spell
As per Italian media (h/t Daily Mail), Chelsea boss Graham Potter has no interest in having striker Romelu Lukaku back once his loan spell at Inter Milan ends in the summer.
After signing Lukaku from Inter for £97.5m in the summer of 2021, Chelsea loaned the Belgian international back to San Siro last summer. He had an underwhelming season back at Stamford Bridge under Thomas Tuchel.
Since the 29-year-old’s departure back to Italy in June, there has been a change in the manager’s seat at Chelsea. But, if the report is to be believed, the current boss Potter also does not fancy him, just like Tuchel.
Lukaku has had an average season for Inter this time around. Injuries have not helped him too. In 15 appearances in all competitions, the former Everton striker has only four goals and one assist to his name. That added to the horrendous game he had against Croatia in the World Cup, where he missed four big chances to fire Belgium to the knockout stages.
While those numbers are not encouraging, Chelsea have been nothing short of embarrassing in front of goal this season. They signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to potentially replace Lukaku, but that move has not worked out.
The Blues have scored 23 goals in 24 league games, four less than Manchester City striker Erling Haaland alone. So, they are in no position to say that letting go of Lukaku was an excellent decision.
Now, it is alright for Potter to think that the Belgian wouldn’t fit in his system. What Chelsea can do is take a financial hit and sell the striker at a lower price and sign a top number nine in the coming summer.
More Chelsea News:
- Chelsea confirm loaning out of Andrey Santos back to Vasco da Gama
- Zinedine Zidane and Luis Enrique emerge as favourites to succeed Graham Potter at Chelsea
- Napoli ready to splash the cash to keep Chelsea target Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
We are linked to Napoli star Victor Osimhen, who is running riot in Europe and Serie A this season. Will we be able to get him potentially without Champions League football next season though? A lot of things to consider, but the problem of the number nine needs sorting soon.