“
I'm a leader, but I'm also a trustworthy person, making sure everyone is comfortable.
That's how I lead,
” said Romelu Lukaku in his first interview for Chelsea's official website on August 16.
Recruited from Inter where he formed an extremely complementary duo with Lautaro Martinez (19 goals with one in the pass and the other at the conclusion), the 1.91 meter giant had joined Chelsea in order to bring them closer two other giants: Manchester City and Liverpool.
“We are very happy to have Romelu back.
In terms of personality, speed, power, he can hopefully be a real asset to our team."
announced Thomas Tuchel on his arrival, impatient to have an attacker of this caliber under his command.
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Because yes, the arrival of Romelu Lukaku was intended to erase what the Blues lacked last season: the conclusion in front of goal.
With a clumsy Timo Werner in the last move, an adapting Kai Havertz and a disappointing Abraham, Chelsea dithered too often in the conclusion and were only the 8th best attack in the Premier League behind Tottenham or Leeds United.
The arrival of the striker with 64 goals in just two seasons with Inter was enough to make the mouths of the European champions water.
But unfortunately for Roman Abramovich's club, the season is not going to go as planned.
Fanfare beginnings
The start of the season for “Big Rom” is very encouraging.
Scorer in his first match against Arsenal, he followed up with a double against Aston Villa on the return from the international break.
This match is already a reference for the new number 9 of the
Blues
who dominated his opponents head and shoulders.
He did not miss a single pass and scored on his two shots: one with his right foot, the other with his left foot.
At the end of the meeting, we see in Lukaku an absolutely unstoppable player combining speed, technical quality and above all a sacred physical domination.
Promising and joyful for Tuchel and the Blues.
Lukaku and Tuchel DAVID KLEIN / PANORAMIC
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A chaotic end of the year
At the end of October, the new center forward from Stamford Bridge was a little less decisive but kept his place at the forefront of Chelsea's attack.
The first setback takes place in the Champions League against Malmö at the end of October.
In the 23rd minute, Lukaku gets hurt and gives up his place.
He won't play for a month.
Upon his return, he appears less imposing and heavier on the ground.
He is satisfied with a few ends of matches and struggles to convince.
In mid-December, he had to be absent again because he tested positive for Covid 19. His convalescence prevented him from playing matches and little by little the Red Devil was relegated to the bench.
This situation does not please him and the board of Chelsea learns it very quickly, more precisely on December 31 when
SkyItalia
publishes an interview in which the Italian champion does not mince his words.
“
After two years in Italy, where I worked a lot at Inter with coaches and nutritionists, I feel good physically.
But I am not satisfied with the situation, it is normal.
I think the coach has chosen to play in another system, I just have to not give up, continue to work and be professional,
" said the one who then sent a foot call to his former club.
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"
I want to apologize to the Inter fans because I think things should have gone differently.
I have always said that I carry Inter in my heart, I will go back there, I really hope so.
I am in love with Italy
”
.
These declarations have the effect of a bomb in England.
A few hours before the opening of the winter transfer window, Lukaku evokes the idea of leaving Chelsea, certain rumors sending him quickly to Inter and Tottenham where his former coach Antonio Conte is.
Romelu Lukaku BEN STANSALL / AFP
But in the end the former Manchester United player did not leave the ship and apologized to the fans on the club's official website.
“
I'm sorry to have upset you.
You know the bond that binds me to the club since my young years, and I therefore understand that you are angry.
It's up to me, now, to regain your trust,
” he announces.
Despite his apologies, Lukaku struggles to regain the love of his supporters.
Tuchel however tries to revive his player in January but the Belgian is no longer the one he was at the very start of the season.
In the field, he only touches very few balls, lacks sharpness in duels and is no longer as clinical in the last gesture.
To date, he is yet to score in the Premier League in 2022.
Premier League stats unworthy of his status
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7 days before the end of the championship, a first observation can be made on the return of Lukaku to Chelsea.
With only 12 goals including 5 in PL, there is reason to be disappointed.
On the one hand, the investment of 115 million euros made this summer turned out to be a mistake, but this is almost secondary given the current context around Roman Abramovich.
Where the 28-year-old striker's bad season is costly is in terms of goals scored.
Admittedly, with 66 pawns, the
Blues
have already exceeded their total from last season but this is still a long way from Manchester City (80) and Liverpool (83) that Tuchel's men wanted to compete with.
A Lukaku as clinical as at Inter would undoubtedly have allowed Chelsea to fight for first or second place in the championship, it will not be for this year.
Romelu Lukaku and Thomas Tuchel DAVID KLEIN / PANORAMIC
After this chaotic season, both for the player and for his managers, a meeting between the two parties will prove essential in order to discuss the future.
Moreover, according to information from Goal, a first exit door could emerge for the Belgian who could quickly return to
San Siro
but not on the side that we can expect since it is AC Milan who could finance his departure thanks to the takeover of the club by an investment fund from Bahrain.
