When Chelsea made the move to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2021, many were predicting that the then European champions had sealed a transfer which would guarantee continued success for years to come.
It was an astronomical £97 million move which was a signal of intent for Thomas Tuchel, with the German manager already having brought incredible success to West London with the Champions League crown. By bringing in the Serie A MVP, who had just won the Scudetto at Inter, there was even talk that the Blues would compete with Manchester City and Liverpool for that season's league title.
However, it has not panned out that way, and less than 18 months later he is out on loan at Inter, having scored just 15 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions last season for Chelsea. This was punctuated by a bombshell interview last December where he slammed the former boss and expressed a desire to move back to Inter.
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He has now got his wish, with a loan deal negotiated in the summer for Lukaku to return to Milan where he enjoyed remarkable success during his first two seasons. One again, though, things have not panned out as intended with the Belgian frontman only having made five appearances so far this season, scoring two goals.
The 29-year-old has been beset with injury problems and suffered a fresh injury last week having only just returned from two months out. He managed 22 minutes against Sampdoria before the new issue arose having only just made his return during last week's Champions League win against Viktoria Plzen in which he scored.
The loan move could well have been a precursor for a permanent return to Italy for the striker following his record move to Chelsea. However, with Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko forming an effective partnership in his absence there could be a chance that Inter opt not to shell out the vast fee and wages for a player who has so far not been fully fit for them this season.
This will give Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and manger Graham Potter a headache, with a player who may not have a place at Stamford Bridge despite the fact he will have three years left on an astronomical reported £17m per year contract at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea boss will keep a keen eye on the Belgium striker's progress with the World Cup a chance for the Belgian to prove his worth.
He remains Belgium's record goalscorer and his place as starting striker for Roberto Martinez appears assured despite his injury issues. However, should he fail to produce the sort of performances that helped the Red Devils reach the semi-finals of the tournament back in 2018, Potter and Boehly will be left wondering what they can do to revive the career of one of world football's most devastating frontmen.
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