Lukaku’s worst miss yet!? Chelsea loan star slammed after Inter SHOCKER

Robin Bairner

• 7 Apr 2023 19:44 BST
• 4 min read

Romelu Lukaku’s difficult loan spell at Inter from Chelsea hit arguably a new low on Friday as he missed a string of chance for Simone Inzaghi’s side in a 1-1 draw with struggling Salernitana.

In the congested battle to finish in the top four in Serie A, Inter travelled to face an opponent in the lower part of mid-table with little to play for already.

Although the San Siro club created a string of opportunities, they were unable to profit from their good play, despite taking a sixth-minute lead through Robin Gosens, who fired home emphatically after a flick on from Lukaku.

MORE: Lukaku sent off for racial abuse reaction

That would be as good as it got for the Belgium international on another afternoon he would wish to forget. Although he mustered five shots, two of which were saved, Lukaku was guilty of missing opportunities to put the match to bed. In particular, he sent a header against the bar from barely two yards out. It was an opportunity that looked unmissable.

Lukaku’s form since returning to the club on loan from Chelsea has been pitiful. There were early positive signs as he registered a goal and an assist in the first two Serie A rounds of the season, but since picking up a hamstring injury in August that kept him out for two months, he has toiled. Indeed, he has scored only two goals since the World Cup break.

His poor performance on Friday could be excused because of events earlier in the week that saw him subject to racist abuse from Juventus fans in a Coppa Italia semi-final first-leg encounter that finished 1-1, with Lukaku scoring a late equalising penalty.

He was sent off in the aftermath, with official reports indicating it was his celebration that caused him to be dismissed – a call that has sparked widespread controversy.

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However, his Salernitana miss is indicative of his recent form.

As such, Inter appear to have only a limited interest in retaining him, meaning that he is liable to go back to Chelsea, where there have been calls for him to be given a chance as their centre forward.

On such form as this, though, he is not the answer to the Blues’ problems.

MORE: Lukaku sent off for racial abuse reaction