In an interview with Sky in Italy earlier this month, Romelu Lukaku said he was not happy with the situation at Chelsea, questioning Thomas Tuchel's system and talking up the prospect of returning to Inter while he is still playing at a good enough level.
After two years at Inter Milan, the 28-year-old left for a club-record £97.5m in the summer, ending the club's title winning streak.
Since re-signing for the club, he has scored seven goals in 18 appearances, but was hampered by an ankle strain before contracting Covid-19.
In their last 13 matches, the Belgian has only completed 90 minutes once, when he scored in the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
I'm doing well. "I'm not very happy with the situation, but that's normal." I have to stick with it and get on with my job even though the boss has decided to play a different formation.
I mustn't give up because it's my job and I'm not happy with the situation.
I'll play for Inter again.
In his first season in Italy, Rome native, Rome native, and Manchester United Transfers, Rome native, and Inter Transfers, Rome native, Rome native, and Manchester United Transfers, Rome native, scored 34 goals in 51 appearances.
In 2020-21, he netted 30 times, including 24 goals, as Inter won their first title in 11 years.
In the summer, Romelu Lukaku urged Inter Milan to accept a transfer offer.
Sky Sports News reported in August that Romelu Lukaku told Inter to accept the advances of the Blues.
The Belgian has said he regrets his departure from Inter, but he is confident that he will return one day.
I don't think it should have happened the way it did. The way I left Inter and the way I communicated with the fans. It's not the right time now but it wasn't the right time when I left.
I'll play for Inter again, I always said that. I hope so. I fell in love with Italy.
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At the start of the season, Romelu Lukaku said he was excited to return to the club.
I'm not like that, so now is the right time to tell people what really happened, without saying anything bad about anyone.
I would like to apologize to the Inter fans because I don't think I should have left them the way I did. I should have spoken to you first after everything you did for me. I will never forget that.
I hope to go back to Inter when I'm still at a good enough level to win more trophies.
The timelines as tensions grow.
After withdrawing from Belgium due to muscle fatigue, he played 77 minutes against Brentford on October 16 but then injured his ankle against Malmo four days later and missed the rest of the season.
Tuchel had already said that Lukaku was tired because he was playing too much football.
After six games out, there were four league matches in which he was a substitute and failed to find the target.
He started and scored in the 3-3 draw with Zenit in the final group game, but missed three matches due to Covid, and then missed three more due to the Carabao Cup.
He came off the bench at half-time to inspire a comeback as Covid beat Villa 3-1 on Boxing Day.
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There are highlights from the game between the two teams in the Premier League.
After the victory, Lukaku spoke of his frustration at being stuck on the sideline.
He said that it had been difficult as every player wanted to play.
The manager has reasons, but I kept working hard. I am happy with my performance today, it was good for us to win.
Tuchel voiced his concerns over whether the 45 minutes against Villa would affect the return to full fitness of the strikers, as they went against medical advice.
He was very helpful, but it's not fair. Even if he wants it, he's not ready for it.
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Tuchel was angry after the win by the Blues.
We don't know what the impact is, we just put the players in. He made a big difference today.
He is very important. Romelu is a key player. He started for us in October, not because of quality, but because we were better without him. He is unlucky to get injured.
He caught Covid when he was struggling to come back. It was more than the fitness and medical department recommended for him, but we thought we could be more offensive.
