Inter will return Lukaku to Chelsea
"The loan is only valid for one season, so on June 30, Lukaku will return to Chelsea, no matter how well he plays," Marotta told Sky Italy on March 14.
In the summer of 2022, Inter borrowed Lukaku from Chelsea on a one-year contract for a fee of $8.3 million, with no mandatory purchase clause in the summer of 2023. The Belgian striker accepted to reduce his income by nearly half and received the number 90 shirt at Chelsea. Italian Club.
But according to Marotta, Lukaku "didn't reach his best fitness and form" to perform like when he was at Inter in the period 2019-2021. In these two seasons, the Belgian striker scored 64 goals in 95 matches, helping the Milan team to win the 2020-2021 Serie A and reach the final of the Europa League 2019-2020, where Inter lost to Sevilla 2-3 by the decisive kick. Lukaku's decision. "We have not yet seen a real Lukaku like before," the Inter CEO emphasized.
Marotta said the 2022 World Cup could be the cause of Lukaku's decline. "This is an unprecedented season," he added. "The problems that Inter have had have also happened with other clubs and players playing in the World Cup. Lukaku is typical, and Marcelo Brozovic has not kept his form."
In fact, Lukaku's current season is interrupted by fitness problems, injuries and question marks over desire and motivation. The Belgian striker missed 12 matches in Serie A due to injury, and when playing, he often appeared slow, tired, lacking speed, sharpness and explosiveness like his first time with the club. In total, Lukaku has only scored three goals in Serie A and two in the Champions League.
On BoboTV, former striker Christian Vieri hinted that Lukaku's decline left Inter 18 points behind Napoli in this season's Serie A championship race. "Inter create 10 chances per game at home, they play very well," said the Italian player. "Inter have Denzel Dumfries, Federico Dimarco can cross, Nicolo Barella has good assists. Inter have players who put Lukaku in a good position. If I play for this team of Inter, I will win the King. scorer every year".
Similarly, former Italy defender Daniele Adani criticized Lukaku for his lack of motivation and lack of the qualities of a talented striker like Edin Dzeko in the way he moves and connects the game. He added: "Lukaku's style cannot be without fitness and working hard every week. If healthy, Lukaku adds confidence and then technique, even dribbling. But when bad play, Lukaku becomes a mediocre player."
In the summer of 2021, Lukaku pressured to leave Inter and return to Chelsea under a contract of $ 135 million, receiving a weekly salary of about $ 350,000 - both a record of the London club. However, the Belgian striker did not live up to expectations, scoring just eight goals in the Premier League and 15 goals in 44 matches in all competitions. Lukaku, therefore, once expected to regain his form when he returned to the familiar environment at Inter and Serie A.
The 29-year-old striker still has a contract with Chelsea until the summer of 2026. According to Football Italy, despite Marotta's statements, Inter can negotiate with Chelsea to continue loaning Lukaku next season.
