Romelu Lukaku is reportedly surprised at Chelsea’s reaction to his sensational interview with the Italian press.
The Belgian striker revealed he was “not happy” at Stamford Bridge and even questioned manager Thomas Tuchel’s tactics.
Lukaku was dropped for Chelsea’s Premier League match against Liverpool on Sunday as a result of his comments. He is having showdown talks with the club today and it’s unclear at this moment where his future lies.
Many believe the 28-year-old’s interview was a “come and get me” plea to his former team Inter Milan.
“I would have stayed at Inter even without him [manager Antonio Conte], the problem was the new contract I asked for,” revealed Lukaku.
“Last summer I went to talk to the Inter board and I asked for a new contract. I said: ‘I’m 28, I want to plan my life in Italy with a new deal…’ “But Inter said no. Maybe there wasn’t the economic possibility. For me it was difficult to accept.
“If there had been the offer of a new contract from Inter last summer as I wanted… we would not be doing this interview now here from London, but quietly from Milano!
“I’m always thinking about Milano… Inter fans are the best in the world. I love the city and the best moment of my career was at Inter. I am in love with Italy, I have Inter in my heart.”
But, according to journalist Dean Jones, the Belgium international isn’t trying to force a move away from Chelsea by speaking out.
It’s claimed the player is surprised by the fall out from the interview and was even advised not to do it in the first place for this very reason.
Lukaku conducted the interview at the start of December but it wasn’t broadcasted by the Italian press until the end of the month.
Many within the media have criticised him for speaking out, including former Premier League player and manager Paolo Di Canio.
“This interview shows the weakness of an athlete who after six months gives up, perhaps because he arrived there with the arrogance of someone who doesn’t realise what his real level is,” he said.
“He won the Scudetto in Italy as a co-protagonist with his other teammates, but he’s no Lionel Messi. “Inter would’ve won even without him, if they had Duvan Zapata or someone like that upfront. He is a functional player who did his duty in that team.
“He then went to the Champions of Europe, in the Premier League against sides like Manchester City and Liverpool, where he is just one of many big names.
“If you arrive at Chelsea and think you’re going to be number one, you are in for a rude awakening!
“Chelsea played much better without Lukaku. He is a fragile player, so he seems to have character, but when he talks like that, the truth is he is very fragile.”
Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink added: “The best thing he can do is not give interviews anymore.
“That is just absolutely bad. Bad bad bad. I like Romelu, he’s a magnificent player. When he’s playing he gives Chelsea a different dimension.
“When you saw him come in against Villa, the goal he scored. You don’t have that at Chelsea or in the world really. But what he’s said and how he’s said it, I don’t understand.”
