It looks like Romelu Lukaku has decided to leave Chelsea. Oh no, Romelu, not again!
Reports claim that the Belgian is ready to make his Chelsea exit after not settling in as well as he'd hoped. It feels a little like deja vu doesn't in. It was just ten years ago when Lukaku decided to leave Chelsea whilst under the management of Jose Mourinho. All it took was a penalty in the Super Cup final against Bayern Munich to change the course of his destiny.
Lukaku missed the only penalty in the shoot-out in the 2013 UEFA Super Cup, and that same summer, he had made a loan move to Everton. The miss broke the hearts of many Chelsea fans but also sent Lukaku down a path that led right back to Chelsea in 2021.
So why should he leave us when things get tough again?
READ MORE: Romelu Lukaku stance over Chelsea exit revealed as Inter Milan weigh up loan transfer
There aren't many players that I had thought, "what if he stayed" at Chelsea. Of course, there are the obvious two culprits, Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah but also Lukaku on that list. He was tipped to become Chelsea's new Didier Drogba, yet it all fell apart because he decided to leave when the tough got going.
'I did not know if I would be playing for Chelsea, so I asked the manager to let me leave. We spoke, and I told him,' he told the Daily Telegraph. 'It's unfair to criticise Mourinho for letting me go because it was my decision."
Despite claiming that he left to get more minutes, it's hard to believe following the opportunity given during the Super Cup. He was only 20-years-old back then, but he was surely going to get the minutes and especially considering the departure of Drogba and how desperate Chelsea was for a new prolific goal scorer.
The entire ordeal left a sore spot for many, and now it seems like he is on his way to making that spot grow bigger.
According to Calciomercato, Lukaku will try and push for a return to Inter this summer. The Belgian is apparently after a quick exit. I guess I understand why he may want to leave.
His relationship with the fans has been tainted since his shocking interview with Sky Italia that was published last December. During the interview, he criticised Thomas Tuchel's style of play and promised a return to Inter Milan whilst he is still at the top of his game. At 28 years of age, the top of his game is pretty much right now.
He may be keeping his promise to Inter Milan fans, but he is disappointing several Chelsea fans here. The Blues remain in limbo with the sights of a new owner in play.
The next era of Chelsea football club could be a difficult one, and we need the players to stick with us and ride the wave. To be fair, I wouldn't expect the likes of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, or even Jorginho, or anyone who has just recently joined the Blues to feel obliged. However, Lukaku has found his home here. He is a Chelsea fan, and he was ecstatic to be back.
Things have not been easy for the Belgian, but every player has their rough patches. A string of good performances could land him in favour with the fans once again. Confidence and support make a good recipe for a successful forward. It's not too late to turn things around. I do hope that he does not throw in the towel.
