Former West Ham United playmaker Paolo di Canio has warned that Romelu Lukaku would be a reserve for Inter Milan should he ever return to the San Siro.
The Belgian forward only completed his club record move back to Chelsea in the summer as he penned a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
The move has not quite gone as planned for the Blues or indeed Lukaku with just 10 goals in 29 appearances in all competitions - only five of them coming in the Premier League.
He upset supporters even further recently by claiming that he is eyeing a return to Inter at some point in the future.
Speaking in December, Lukaku said: "I think I was wrong: the way I left had to be handled differently.
“I should have talked to you [Inter fans] first because the things you have done for me, for my family, for my mother, for my son will remain forever in my life.
"I really hope with all my heart to be able to return to Inter one day and not at the end of my career. I would like to return when I am still at high levels to try to win even more with the Nerazzurri shirt."
The Belgian international has since apologised for those comments and Lukaku has now been warned by Di Canio that he would only be named on the bench should he sign for Inter Milan once again.
Speaking with Sky Sport Italia, the former midfielder said: “He’d be very expensive considering that he’d be a reserve in this Inter side.
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“Inter have a different playing style, with more quality and a striker [Edin Dzeko] almost playing as an attacking midfielder. Lukaku doesn’t have this quality.”
Lukaku of course represented Inter for two years following his exit from Manchester United.
He scored 64 goals in 95 appearances for the Italian giants, spearheading their successful Serie A title tilt last term - form that convinced Chelsea to break their transfer record to bring him back to west London.
