Romelu Lukaku has opened up about his return to Chelsea following Inter Milan’s 2023 Champions League final, claiming he was sent to the reserves despite asking for a second chance with the first team.
In a statement posted on social media via renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Lukaku expressed frustration with how his situation at Chelsea was portrayed in the media.
“After the UCL final with Inter, I went back to Chelsea. I said I wanted a chance again with the first team,” Lukaku said. “They sent me to the reserves and what comes out to the media? ‘Lukaku wants to leave.’ No, I didn’t want to leave.”
The Belgian striker, 32, rejoined Chelsea in 2021 for a club-record £97.5m fee but struggled to settle in his second stint. He was loaned back to Inter Milan in 2022 and later to Roma, where he showed flashes of his old form.
Lukaku’s comments appear to contradict the long-standing narrative that he was eager to move on from Chelsea. Instead, he suggests the decision to push him out was made by the club.
The post has sparked renewed discussion among fans and pundits about Chelsea’s handling of high-profile signings and player relations, particularly during the turbulent post-Tuchel era.
