Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Agent reveals love for country will draw major star away from Chelsea

Romelu Lukaku and Mateo Kovacic react to Chelsea losing

Romelu Lukaku will not end his career at Chelsea and is destined to return to Italy before he retires, according to his agent.

Lukaku, 28, has featured for four English clubs and moved back to Stamford Bridge in the summer. The Blues paid Inter a club record fee of £97.5m for the Belgium international on August 12 this year. The powerful striker first joined Chelsea in the summer of 2011.

But he made only 15 appearances, spending time on loan with West Brom and Everton while still on the west Londoners’ books. A permanent move to Goodison Park followed in 2014 and he bagged 104 goals from 204 outings in all competitions.

Manchester United came calling but, despite scoring 42 times from 96 appearances, he left to join Inter in 2019. The man with 101 Belgium caps scored goals for fun at the San Siro.

He netted 64 times from 95 outings, prompting Thomas Tuchel to move in the summer. Things began well back at his old stamping ground.

But his goals have dried up while the hitman has also struggled with injury. However, the Antwerp-born star did find the net as Chelsea drew 3-3 with Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday.

Lukaku is under contract with his present employers until the summer of 2026 after inking a five-year deal. But his agent has made it clear that a return to Serie A is never far from the  former Anderlecht forward’s mind.

“One day we will see Lukaku back in Serie A,” Federico Pastorello told Tuttomercato, per Sports Mole. “Lukaku loves Italy. But right now it’s up to Chelsea to take advantage of Romelu’s qualities.”

Rudiger set for a big payday as free agent

Rudiger set for a big payday as free agent

The Chelsea man is out of contract at the end of this season, as is captain Azpilicueta.

Tuchel taking no Lukaku risks

Chelsea sit third in the top-flight standings after Saturday’ 3-2 victory at home to Leeds United. They needed two Jorginho penalties – the second deep into stoppage time – to get the job done.

Lukaku was brought on three minutes from time for a cameo appearances. Tuchel appears to be handling his star man with kid gloves and recently defended the player.

“It is difficult for Romelu and all the other guys after injuries to hit top level,” he said. “We should try always to reach it.”

Tuchel will hope that Lukaku can play his part over the busy festive season. Chelsea’s next task is to take on Everton at the Bridge next Thursday.

Thomas Tuchel Football Manager advert, Chelsea v Leicester in the Premier League

They then face Wolves at Molineux on December 19 before a trip to Villa Park on Boxing Day. There is also a west London derby with Brentford on December 22 as the sides go head to head in the EFL Cup.

READ MORE: Talks held as Tuchel eyes La Liga midfielder with Chelsea man nearing rapid exit