MY ACCOUNT
Romelu Lukaku finds himself at a career crossroads.
The Chelsea forward, 29, has endured a frustrating campaign on loan at Inter Milan, netting just five goals in all competitions having been plagued by both poor form and injury.
With his club future appearing more uncertain than ever, a timely hat-trick for Belgium against Sweden last Friday night was a reminder of how dangerous Lukaku can be when fit and firing.
Ahead of his nation’s blockbuster clash with Germany this evening, we shine a spotlight on the striker’s rocky patch and a pivotal upcoming period.
Spectacular decline
Lukaku’s fall from grace has been a rapid one.
Just 19 months ago, Chelsea were shelling out a then club-record £97.5million to bring their former marksman back to Stamford Bridge after a glittering stint in Italy.
Having bagged 24 times in 36 games to fire Antonio Conte’s Nerazzurri to the 2020-21 Serie A title, most pundits tipped the ex-Manchester United ace to score for fun upon his return to England.
However, a disappointing return of 15 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions — coupled with some unwise comments in the press midway through the campaign — saw the Belgian loaned back to Inter for 2022-23.
He has played less than 800 minutes of league football this term and boasts a paltry three Serie A goals.
Unclear future
When Lukaku’s loan was signed off last summer, it felt like a move that would eventually become permanent.
Reports at the time suggested the only stumbling block would be agreeing a fee — one that minimised Chelsea’s hefty losses while also not forcing the Italians to break the bank.
But recent comments from Inter CEO Beppe Marotta hint that his club will not be chasing a transfer in the off-season.
Marotta told Sky Italia earlier this month: “The loan was for one season only. So on June 30, regardless of how well he plays, he’ll go back to Chelsea.
“This has been an unprecedented season. I’m referring of course to the [winter] World Cup.
“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.”
Hard to judge
The main challenge facing Chelsea this summer is trying to assess what Lukaku still has to offer.
On recent form, the easy conclusion would be that the Antwerp native is nowhere near his prolific best any more — though last week’s performance against Sweden suggested otherwise.
Lukaku nabbed a hat-trick any centre forward would be proud of in Stockholm, applying the finishing touches to a trio of pinpoint crosses via a deft header and two tap-ins.
It made for a perfect start to Domenico Tedesco’s reign as Belgium boss and the No9 confessed he is bullish about future prospects under the 37-year-old former Schalke coach.
Speaking after Friday’s clash, Lukaku said: “We have started to play much more offensively.
“We haven’t had much time to prepare, but I’m happy. Change is not a bad thing, as long as the results follow.”
Quick decision
Blues boss Graham Potter and owner Todd Boehly must now decide if change is also afoot for Lukaku at club level.
Spending sprees across the last two transfer windows mean the Londoners possess an embarrassment of riches in attacking areas, though an in-form Lukaku could feasibly muscle his way into a starting berth.
Should they opt to give the 29-year-old another roll of the dice and he stays fit, it could prompt the most remarkable turnaround in footballing fortunes.
However, if there is to be a parting of ways, a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia — following in the footsteps of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo — now seems his most viable exit route.
Either way, the next few months will surely define the legacy of one of the most puzzling strikers of a generation.
