Would Lukaku be giving up on Chelsea too soon by rejoining Inter?

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 31 May 2022 12:32 CDT
• 5 min read

The fact Romelu Lukaku struggled during his first season back at Chelsea will have come as a surprise to almost everybody.

The last thing expected when he swapped San Siro for Stamford Bridge was for one of the world's very best forwards to become one of the biggest transfer flops in years, but here we are.

Eight league goals and one poorly timed interview later, Lukaku could be heading for the exit door just one year after re-joining Chelsea.

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His first stint at the club ended after he missed the decisive penalty in the 2013 Super Cup final shootout defeat to Bayern Munich and his second stint could end in similarly mired circumstances.

The Guardian have reported that Inter are set to hold talks with Lukaku's lawyer over a potential return to the club. Lukaku was sold by Inter for a club record fee in 2021, but could make a sensational U-turn and re-join the Nerazzurri sooner than anyone expected.

According to The Guardian, Inter regard a loan move as the only possible option for a deal to be agreed between all parties, which could yet be blocked by Chelsea.

However, Lukaku's representives are understood to be keen to discuss their client's future with Chelsea as they look to solve the puzzle that is Lukaku's next step in football.

The Belgian could yet stay at Chelsea, but it seems as though an exit this summer is certainly on the cards.

But, if Lukaku does end up leaving Stamford Bridge during the merry-go-round that is the summer transfer window, could he come to regret giving up on the club so soon?

Would Lukaku be giving up on Chelsea too soon by rejoining Inter?

Lukaku may have netted 64 goals in 95 games across two seasons at Inter, but he's failed to convince in the Premier League since leaving Everton.

His record at international level is still immaculate, he's Belgium's all-time record goal-scorer after all, but his time at Chelsea hasn't worked out.

He was signed without Thomas Tuchel adapting his system accordingly and the cliche 'square peg in a round hole' certainly applies in regards to Lukaku in this Chelsea team.

An outfit built on defensive solidity during its run to lifting the 2020/21 Champions League trophy soon transitioned into a more possession-dominant side, and with little room to manoeuvre, Lukaku's flaws were highlighted, while his strengths were hidden; not ideal for your club record signing.

Of course, Tuchel was well-within his right to prioritise the team over Lukaku, but it alienated the former Inter man rather than ensure integration into the starting XI.

Kai Havertz enjoyed a purple patch upon being thrust into the limelight as the club's main striker, and although Lukaku was reintroduced in the final weeks of the season after the German endured a rough period in front of goal, it's not yet clear if Lukaku would be prioritised next season.

However, rather than join Inter, Lukaku could fight for his place.

Not long ago, Chelsea was seen as his dream destination. A video of him as a teenager visiting Stamford Bridge resurfaced when he signed in 2021 and his love for the club was clear.

Although Inter may have a place in his heart and he could rejoin and become a star at San Siro again, opportunity still beckons at Chelsea.

With Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen leaving this summer, Chelsea are prioritising central defensive additions, but their exodus in that area of the pitch could lead Tuchel to trial a back four and avert from the 3-4-3 shape he's deployed most-regularly since succeeding Frank Lampard.

If that's the case, having one more forward-thinking player in the starting XI could accommodate for Havertz and Lukaku, and provide the Belgian with more creativity around him.

While the forward can take some blame for his woes this year, those around him haven't provided him with as many chances as he needs. In the 2021/22 Premier League season, there were only three Chelsea players in the top 75 for passes that led directly to a shot - Mason Mount (11th), Reece James (19th) and Marcos Alonso (24th).

Effectively, Chelsea didn't have the creative players in their squad to best utilise Lukaku.

However, that could change. As per The Guardian, Chelsea are targeting Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele on a free transfer. The Frenchman is yet to sign a new deal with the Catalan giants, and having worked with Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund, he could be added this summer.

If Dembele arrives, then Chelsea's creativity problem could be solved. With 13 league assists this campaign, Dembele has regained his fitness and his form and is ready to contribute at the highest level. Despite playing less than 1,500 La Liga minutes in the 2021/22 campaign, his 46 passes that directly led to a shot would've ranked 21st in the Premier League, so imagine what his numbers would be like with more minutes.

In all creative metrics, Dembele pops and that kind of cutting-edge and incisiveness is something that wouldn't go amiss at Stamford Bridge.

Alongside Mount, the pair would be able to provide Lukaku with the ammunition and chances needed to reach his potential in the Premier League.

Returning to Inter might be the safe option, but Lukaku could come to regret leaving Chelsea too soon if he departs this summer.