How Lukaku, Hakimi & Inter Milan’s 2021-22 sales have performed

FT Desk

• 31 Mar 2022 16:11 CDT
• 8 min read

Last summer Inter were facing a huge amount of financial uncertainty as the club had big debts to pay off and an owner who was more interested in cutting his losses and moving on.

As such, the Serie A champions opted for a fire sale which led to a number of their best players and even their manager departing the club.

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In the process, Inter were able to raise more than €165 million, which undoubtedly went some way to keeping the lights on.

But how well have the most notably players that were sold or encouraged to move on done at their new clubs this season?

Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea - F

Most football fans will be well aware of the fact that Romelu Lukaku returned to Chelsea like the prodigal son and has ended up being the villain of his own tale at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgium international got off to a tricky start in Thomas Tuchel’s side, before giving an ill-advised interview with Sky Italia in which he admitted that he had never wanted to return to England in the first place.

Lukaku vowed to win back the hearts of Chelsea fans but to date he’s only managed 12 goals in 34 games for the club.

Achraf Hakimi to PSG - B

After a hugely impressive spell at Inter, Achraf Hakimi made a high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain and has done relatively well at the French giants.

Although Hakimi hasn’t perhaps been as gung-ho down the right flank as he was in Italy, he’s still managed to cement his reputation as one of the best right-backs in European football today.

Matteo Politano to Napoli - C

As part of Inter’s cost-cutting exercise last summer, the club sold back-up winger Matteo Politano to league rivals Napoli and, fortunately for the San Siro side, it hasn’t exactly worked out for the 28-year old forward.

After bagging an impressive 12 goals and five assists for Antonio Conte’s side last season, Politano has only managed three goals and seven assists in 33 games for his new club this season.

Joao Mario to Benfica - A

Portugal international Joao Mario was another big name that left Inter in the summer, when he opted for a move to Benfica on a free transfer. And for the most part it has been a move that has worked well for the 29-year-old talent.

Mario has been a regular start for Benfica in the Portuguese top flight, as well as a key figure in the club's run to the Champions League quarter-finals, where they are set to face Liverpool.

Ashley Young to Aston Villa - C

While Ashley Young’s return to Aston Villa in the summer felt like a fitting homecoming for the former Villa Park star, the converted full-back is now 36 years of age and can only offer so much to the Premier League side.

Alas, Young has still made at least 20 appearances for the club this season, while largely offering his services from the substitute bench with mixed results.