Joe Cole has solved the new Chelsea owners' first transfer debacle ahead of the summer as Thomas Tuchel faces a crucial striker decision. Romelu Lukaku, who has struggled to warrant his eye-watering £97.5m fee since returning to Stamford Bridge, reportedly faces an uncertain future in west London.
According to Gazzetta, via Sport Witness, the 28-year-old striker is open to returning to Inter Milan at the end of the season, despite only moving back to Chelsea from the Italian club last summer. Lukaku, who is currently valued at £76.5m by Transfermarkt, has more than hinted at one day moving back to the San Siro in that infamous interview with Sky Italia in December.
Since the turn of the year, Tuchel has often opted for Kai Havertz to lead the line ahead of Romelu Lukaku. And, in spectacular fashion, Havertz has roared into form and cemented the Belgian's place on the sideline.
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With Lukaku linked with moves away from Chelsea, Cole has reaffirmed that Havertz is the Blues' main man now, solving prospective owners' first transfer decision of the summer. Speaking on BT Sport, the former Blues midfielder showered the former Bayer Leverkusen man with praise.
"He is the go-to guy now for Chelsea," he said. "For whatever reason, it has not worked out for Romelu, but he has made that number nine position himself.
"And it is actually when you talk to him, and he enjoys that position the most and where he played in Germany. He is one of those great players that comes alive in the final third, and he is almost not interested in the middle of the park, then in the box, he comes alive.
"He is becoming a real talisman, and when you get that knack of scoring important goals, his team-mates will be looking over to him as the game goes on and on and think he will do it for us tonight."
