Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has accused Romelu Lukaku of creating a ‘mess’ at Chelsea since completing his blockbuster switch from Inter. The reigning Champions League holders smashed the club-transfer record to re-sign the Belgian striker last summer, yet the move hasn’t panned out well.
Lukaku has failed to live up to expectations during his second spell at Stamford Bridge. A lack of form, coupled with his altercation with manager Thomas Tuchel, has seen the 28-year-old become a bit-part player in London. That’s not what Chelsea had in mind when they dashed out £97million for his services last summer.
Evra claimed in his recent interview with Amazon Sport that Lukaku made the wrong decision by leaving Inter for Chelsea.
“People who criticise him have a short memory. Because when he arrived in London he scored and did well; then he got injured and said he missed Inter,” the Frenchman said as relayed by the Daily Express.
“In the end, he created a bit of a mess with the [Chelsea] fans. He wanted to return to Chelsea at all costs, he should have stayed at Inter after such a high-level season. He made that choice there which for me is wrong.“
Lukaku was an absolute beast in Serie A during his two-year stint at Inter, helping the Nerazzurri cut Juventus’ long-term reign of Italian top-flight football during his second season at the Giuseppe Meazza. He and Lautaro Martinez forged a formidable attacking duo that played a pivotal role in a triumphant 2020/21 campaign under Antonio Conte.
Seduced by Lukaku’s jaw-dropping showings at Inter, Chelsea were quick to bring the Belgium international back to the Premier League last summer. Little did they know the high-paid striker would falter upon his mega-money return to England’s elite competition.
Per multiple reports, Lukaku could leave Chelsea for the second time in his career, with Inter among the leading candidates to offer him a landing spot.