"The relationship I have with this club means so much to me," explained Romelu Lukaku after completing his return to Chelsea from Inter Milan in a deal worth £97.5million. "I have supported Chelsea as a kid and now to be back and try to help them win more titles. It is an amazing feeling.
"The way the club is going fits my ambitions perfectly at 28 – and just coming off winning Serie A. I think this opportunity comes at the right time and hopefully, we can have a lot of success together. Since I left Chelsea, it’s been a long journey with a lot of ups and downs, but these experiences made me strong.
"The challenge is to try to help the team win some more trophies. I can’t wait to get started and to help the club achieve more success."
READ MORE: Premier League make major fixtures decision that will impact Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham
What innocent days they were – full of hope and ambition. Chelsea were European champions and viewed as contenders to Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League title. There were no fears about the club being sold. No prospect of sanctions. No thoughts of a takeover.
But a lot can change in nine months; Chelsea have found that out the hard way. As has Lukaku, whose dream return to Stamford Bridge has become something of a nightmare. One that he intends to end this summer in a rather swift and decisive fashion with a move back to Inter Milan.
Following the conclusion of the 2021/22 campaign, Lukaku's representatives sounded out whether Inter would be open to bringing the Belgian back to San Siro on loan. Once they received encouragement, then came the difficult part: getting Chelsea to the negotiating table.
But yesterday, as first reported by The Telegraph, official talks were held between the Blues and Inter. Todd Boehly, Chelsea's new co-owner, was involved and is believed to be facilitating a move back to Italy for the 29-year-old, who did finish last season as the top scorer in Thomas Tuchel's squad with 15 goals.
Yet the Chelsea head coach has given his blessing to a potential departure for Lukaku, who was never a natural fit in Tuchel's high-pressing system. The expectation was that Lukaku's goals would counteract that and would make the difference in the tight matches the Blues previously faltered in. That didn't happen – at least not on a regular basis.
By the end of last season, Lukaku was stuck on the bench with Kai Havertz Chelsea's first-choice No. 9. It was clear then that a change would be required this summer, that a final ending to the on-and-off-again relationship Lukaku has had with the Blues was needed.
Perhaps the most telling aspect of Lukaku's desire to depart Stamford Bridge is he is understood to be willing to take a wage cut in order to secure a move back to Inter. That is a huge statement, a sign of a player searching for his happy place. It's partly why there is little choice – and chance – of Chelsea fighting to keep him.
Inter are understood to want any move for Lukaku wrapped up before the end of the financial year on June 30. The clock is ticking. However, that need may also benefit Chelsea and Tuchel, who has to rebuild his first-team squad this summer. Lukaku may prove the first domino in that process.
