If Chelsea fans can take any solace from Manchester City’s gritty Champions League victory, it is how the truth has been laid bare regarding Romelu Lukaku.
One potential avenue for Chelsea could be to save a few quid and bring the Belgian back. With funds not expected to be as loose, the move appeared to make sense. Lukaku could come back to solve the Blues’ goalscoring woes and keep an extra £70million+ in the coffers for another position.
But how wrong that now looks.
Simone Inzaghi's decision to drop the 30-year-old to the bench raised eyebrows when the team sheets were announced. Seven goals in as many Serie A games meant Lukaku was in fine form heading into the biggest game of his career.
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Lautaro Martinez and former City striker Edin Dzeko were preferred as Inter Milan frustrated the pre-match favourites for most of the contest. Lukaku had to wait until the 57th minute before being allowed to make his mark on the game.
And boy did he do that, for all the wrong reasons…
A hatful of missed opportunities went begging as Inter crashed out - sending a blunt transfer message 1,900 miles away to west London that a striker will be needed. Comically, Federico Dimarco - from six yards out - headed the ball towards the target after an initial attempt hit the crossbar… only for Lukaku to block the rebound.
An arguably bigger howler came right at the death when, with the entire goal to aim at, Lukaku fired a header at the only place he should not have - straight at Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson. This chance used to be his bread and butter but the Belgian, as he has done in the past, fumbled when it mattered most.
The 30-minute horror show was reminiscent of Lukaku’s equally poor showing for Belgium in the World Cup. With his country’s fate on the line against Croatia, the Chelsea man squandered several sitters and Roberto Martinez’s side were dumped out.
Add all the off-field baggage that surrounds him at Stamford Bridge and the picture becomes clearer for Mauricio Pochettino. Can he afford to hang his hat on Lukaku?
Reports suggest the two will hold crunch talks in the coming weeks and Inter, despite their Champions League heartbreak, remain keen on signing him permanently. On last night's showing, Chelsea should move heaven and earth to make that wish a reality.
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