Thomas Tuchel has apologised to Inter Milan fans for signing Romelu Lukaku from the Serie A club in the summer window.
Lukaku spent two years at Inter after arriving from Manchester United in 2019, before helping the club win their first Serie A title in 11 years last campaign under the tutelage of Antonio Conte.
The Belgium star’s willingness to return to Stamford Bridge after a seven-year spell away from the club, coupled with Inter’s financial situation, meant that the Blues were able to agree a deal around £100m for the player.
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Speaking at Il Festival dello Sport in Trento, Italy, Tuchel said sorry to the supporters of Lukaku’s former team, before explaining why the club wanted to sign him.
‘I’m sorry for the Inter fans but like everyone we try to improve. We identified a certain profile, a very physical striker, a reference, a player with personality who could take the pressure off the shoulders of the youngest. A player who allowed us to play faster football,’ the German coach said.
‘There aren’t many players like that. When we have the chance to bring Lukaku back, it was an important moment for us. He said he was fine where he was, he worked extraordinarily with [Antonio] Conte and Inter.
‘But then returning and finishing his career in England, where he played as a young man, was important. Lukaku wanted to play for Chelsea for these reasons and everything went well.’
Lukaku made a good start to his Chelsea return, scoring three times in his opening four league games, but has since failed to score in his last two top flight matches.
The former Inter Milan star has pulled out of Belgium’s squad ahead of their Nations League third-placed playoff against Italy on Sunday after suffering from ‘muscle overload’.
