Former Arsenal and England star Paul Merson believes that Chelsea will have no choice but to stick with club-record signing Romelu Lukaku next season after a poor return to Stamford Bridge so far.
The Blues splashed the cash last summer and smashed their own club record to sign Belgian international striker Lukaku from Inter Milan for £97.5million, a decade after first joining them in a move worth up to £17m from Anderlecht in 2011.
Since coming back to London, Lukaku has scored 12 times in 40 appearances for the Blues. Of that dozen of goals, only five have been in the Premier League and his last strike in England’s top-flight came back in December, with all five of his club goals in 2022 coming in either that FIFA Club World Cup or the FA Cup.
In recent months, the Blues’ record signing has lost his place up front to Kai Havertz and the former Inter star has been linked with an exit and a potential return to Milan in the summer having failed to hit the heights since coming back for a second spell of club football in England.
With Chelsea ’s ownership currently in flux, as Roman Abramovich looks to complete a sale for the club, the Blues are currently restricted on being able to make any new signings or offer new contracts to players, with Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Marcos Alonso and captain Cesar Azpilicueta all expected to depart SW6 this summer.
Given the outlay paid by the Blues and the fact they are unable to complete any further recruitment or retention business, Merson believes that Chelsea will have to stick with and get the best out of Lukaku next season.
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“Chelsea haven't got much choice but to keep going with Lukaku,” Merson told Sky Sports. They're getting sold, they haven't got any money, they can't be buying people for £100m and selling them for half that.
“That ain't happening. For me, I think he'll be staying there, and hopefully he kicks on next season.”
Lukaku has played 23 times in the Premier League this season and scored five goals for Thomas Tuchel’s side, with Mason Mount, Havertz and Jorginho all above him on league goals this season.
Prior to re-joining Chelsea in August 2021, Lukaku had a career record of scoring 113 times in 252 Premier League matches. During his first spell at Chelsea, he left on loan for spells with West Bromwich Albion and Everton, before joining the Toffees permanently in 2014.
A brilliant spell on Merseyside saw Everton sell him to Manchester United in 2017 for a deal worth up to £90m in add-ons, but United sold Lukaku two years later to Inter, where he would go on to win the Serie A title.
Lukaku is 21st on the Premier League’s all time top scorers list. Of current players, only Harry Kane (5th ), Jamie Vardy (14th ) and Mohamed Salah (20th) are above him in the rankings.
