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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Alex Young

Romelu Lukaku justs wants to feel important at Chelsea, says Roberto Martinez

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez says Romelu Lukaku just wants to feel important to a team as his future at Chelsea remains uncertain.

The striker has struggled since returning to Stamford Bridge last summer, scoring just eight Premier League goals and losing his place in Thomas Tuchel's starting line-up.

Lukaku is keen to return to Inter Milan this summer, 12 months after leaving, though the Italian club are currently unable to afford the deal without concessions from Chelsea.

Martinez, who manages Lukaku at international level, says what is key to the striker's form and happiness is his role in a team.

"He wants to be important and enjoy his football," Martinez told reporters. "I'm sure the decision in the summer will be the right one.

"In Belgium we are quite relaxed with Romelu's situation. I know it is a big topic, but at the moment he is trying to recover from the injury and that's the only thing he has in his mind.

"If he stays at Chelsea it will be for the right reasons. If he's moving away it will be because everyone agrees to it.

(Getty Images)

"Romelu is a player I know very well. I managed him at club level (at Everton) at a very young age.

"He was 19 and had a very different position than he has now. Now he's a player who is very mature and very clear what he wants."

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