- Lukaku’s Chelsea tenure was a disappointment, failing to justify the £100M investment.
- His form suffered, leading to loan moves to Inter Milan and Roma.
- Chelsea sold him to Napoli, recouping £45M in total.
Napoli have completed the signing of Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea in a £30 million transfer. The move, heavily influenced by Napoli’s manager Antonio Conte, marks Lukaku’s return to Italy where he previously thrived under Conte at Inter Milan from 2019 to 2021.
Lukaku, now 31, rejoined Chelsea in 2021 for a record £97.5 million but has spent the past two seasons on loan, first with Inter Milan and then with Roma. During his tenure with Inter, he scored 24 league goals and helped the team win Serie A in 2021, which played a role in Chelsea’s decision to bring him back.
Since returning to Chelsea, Lukaku has not featured for the club since May 2022. Offloading him not only clears his £325,000-a-week wages from the books but also aligns with Chelsea’s current financial strategy.
Antonio Conte, speaking at a pre-match press conference, suggested that Lukaku might debut for Napoli in their upcoming match against Parma on Saturday.
Lukaku’s departure coincides with Chelsea midfielder Tino Anjorin’s transfer to Serie A, where he has joined Empoli on a three-year deal.
Additionally, Chelsea and Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli are in discussions to sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, which could help Napoli balance their expenditure following Lukaku’s acquisition.
Romelu Lukaku’s tenure at Chelsea has been widely regarded as a disappointment, failing to justify the £100 million investment made during the Roman Abramovich era.
When Chelsea re-signed Lukaku in 2021, the club stated, “One of the most prolific strikers in European football, Lukaku has returned to the club he supported as a young boy and where he has unfinished business, having been with us from 2011 to 2014.”
Despite high expectations, Lukaku struggled to fit into Thomas Tuchel’s defensively-focused team, which had won the Champions League but lacked attacking prowess.
Frustrations grew over limited game time following an ankle injury in December 2021. Lukaku’s unauthorized interview with Sky Italia revealed his dissatisfaction, including his views on top clubs and criticisms of Tuchel’s tactics. This led to a public apology through the club after intervention from former director Marina Granovskaia and manager Tuchel.
The incident eroded Lukaku’s relationship with fans, and his form suffered as a result. By the summer, Lukaku was eager to leave, and while Chelsea’s new ownership was willing to facilitate his departure, they struggled to find a buyer.
Lukaku was loaned back to Inter Milan and then Roma before being sold to Napoli. Chelsea recouped £15 million in loan fees and an additional £30 million from the sale, but Lukaku’s time at Stamford Bridge is largely viewed as a costly failure.
