Outgoing Chelsea director Petr Cech 'made it clear' the Blues should have kept faith in record signing Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgium international endured a nightmare return to Stamford Bridge following his £97.5 million arrival from Inter Milan last summer. Lukaku struggled to nail down a consistent starting spot under Thomas Tuchel, and his controversial mid-season interview with Sky in Italy led to the striker being disciplined by the club.
The 29-year-old netted 15 goals in all competitions, but was often left on the bench towards the end of the season. A summer exit appeared inevitable, and Chelsea have taken a heavy hit on their investment with a reported £7m loan fee agreed for Lukaku to return to Inter Milan.
Cech is the latest departure confirmed as the summer shake-up at Stamford Bridge continues following Roman Abramovich's sale of the club. The former goalkeeper and technical and performance advisor joins former chairman Bruce Buck and sporting director Marina Granovskaia in leaving the Blues after Todd Boehly's consortium took control.
Cech had previously played an important role in a number of club and transfer decisions, including the recommendation of current number one Edouard Mendy. However, the former Czech Republic shot-stopper saw his views on Lukaku overlooked in the final days of his time at the club.
Lukaku is expected to complete his move back to Milan on Wednesday after completing a medical, according to the Telegraph. This is despite Cech's assertion that the former Everton and Manchester United striker would 'bounce back' and shine next season.
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Speaking days before an exit for Lukaku was sanctioned, Cech said: “I personally believe he will have a great season. Last season we saw how strong he can be at the beginning when he came. But unfortunately, the long-term injury he sustained in the game against [Aston] Villa slowed everything down and then he had Covid as well.
“I think we could see towards the end of the season, when he was fit and ready to go again, how strong he is. I have full confidence he will bounce back and have a strong season.”
Cech is the latest figure behind the scenes to leave Chelsea following the takeover, with former chief executive Guy Laurence and ex-head of goalkeepers Christophe Lollichon also departing. The 40-year-old's exit places even greater pressure on Boehly's shoulders, with the American businessman already leading transfer negotiations as the Blues look for a new sporting director.
The new owner is said to have asked Cech to remain in his post to assist with the transition, but was told in a meeting the former goalkeeper felt it was the 'right time to go'. It means Tuchel is now devoid of the entire backroom structure he had worked with since his appointment in January 2021.
Chelsea and Manchester United are currently the only 'Big Six' clubs yet to make a senior summer signing. However, the Blues are said to have made contact over a prospective deal for Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling.
The England international is about to enter the final year of his contract with the Premier League champions, and concerns over game-time has led the 27-year-old to reportedly consider an exit. City are said to have agreed terms over the sale of Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal, with reports suggesting negotiations will now turn to a potential cut-price exit for Sterling.
