Romelu Lukaku’s interview with Sky Sports Italia aired last night and the comments that surfaced led to some very extreme reactions.
In the interview, the Belgian spoke fondly about his old club expressing his desire to return on multiple instances and also citing problems with his current boss Thomas Tuchel.
Naturally, this incurred the wrath of Blues fans and Lukaku gained quite a bit of infamy amongst the Chelsea Faithful.
Unfortunately, that certainly isn’t the end of the saga.
Apparently, the footage that came to light last night was merely part 1, and the extended interview got released today.
Conducted in Italian, initial transactions of the discourse certainly won’t make for comfortable reading for Blues fans.
Throughout the second part, Lukaku reinstated his desire to remain at the Nerazzurri, even stating that Inter’s denial of extending his contract was essentially the reason for the move to Chelsea.
Lukaku: "After we won the title, I went to the directors and asked for an extension. I was fine in Milan, but they didn't want to give a new contract. I didn't go to Chelsea because Conte had left. Had Inter offered me a new deal, I would have stayed."
— FedeNerazzurra (@FNerazzurra1908) December 31, 2021
In fact, the entire interview features many tidbits which showcase Lukaku’s love for Inter due to which it comes off as a love letter to his spell in Milan.
Lukaku: "I will always follow Inter. I look at everything Inter related. I know that Inter would be fine anyway because last year's experience helped the team in terms of maturity and match management."
— FedeNerazzurra (@FNerazzurra1908) December 31, 2021
The second part also reaffirms his sentiment to return to the club, as it features the Belgian asking former strike partner Lautaro Martinez to remain at Inter instead of joining him at Chelsea because of his desire to return.
Lukaku: "I miss Lautaro. For Lauti, I could die for him on the pitch. Together at Chelsea? No, no, stay at Inter because I will be back. Playing with Lautaro to me was the best. From day one, I understood that we can do great things. There was natural understanding between us."
— FedeNerazzurra (@FNerazzurra1908) December 31, 2021
This of course is not a good look for Chelsea’s record signing and scathing opinions from Blues fans, who seem to be at their wit’s end with the striker, flooded in.
Despite all the praise, he imparted on his former club via this interview, Lukaku managed to gain notoriety amongst Inter Milan fans with this statement.
Lukaku: "Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern, these are the absolute best clubs in football. Any player would dream of one day playing for them. And so I thought that I could make history at Inter (with that new contract) and then go to them one them."
— FedeNerazzurra (@FNerazzurra1908) December 31, 2021
Nerazzurri fans have interpreted the comment as an implication that Inter was merely a stepping stone to further success in Lukaku’s career.
Inter ultras aren't impressed by Lukaku's apologies.
— FedeNerazzurra (@FNerazzurra1908) December 31, 2021
"It doesn't matter those who run away in the rain. It matters who stay in the storm. Bye Romelu."
[@gibzayn] pic.twitter.com/LDGfHYRadj
The saga looks far from over, but as of right now, Romelu Lukaku certainly isn’t a popular figure at his current club and by the looks of it his former one too.
