MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 12:28:37| >> :60:406:406:

Romelu Lukaku claims "everyone would be shocked" about Chelsea exit

Lukaku claims
© Reuters
Romelu Lukaku, currently on loan at Roma, claims that "everyone would be shocked" about his exit from Chelsea over the summer.

Romelu Lukaku has claimed that "everyone would be shocked" about his exit from Chelsea over the summer, with the centre-forward leaving the Blues to join Roma on loan.

The 30-year-old had been widely expected to re-join Inter Milan on a permanent basis from Chelsea during the recent market, but the Italian outfit are said to have dropped their interest after learning that he was also speaking to Juventus.

Lukaku was then strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia before he arrived at Roma on loan before the end of the transfer window.

The Belgium international has been in strong form for Jose Mourinho's side this season, scoring seven goals in eight appearances in all competitions.

As it stands, Lukaku will return to Chelsea next summer, but it is highly unlikely that he will play for the Blues again due to the apparent breakdown of his relationship with the club.

Roma's Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on October 5, 2023© Reuters

The forward has said that he will "speak in time" about his Chelsea exit and claimed that "everyone would be shocked" by the manner of his departure.

"Most of the people in the room know me. You know that I don't like to beat around the bush. I will speak in time, but if I really said how it all went last summer, everyone would be shocked," Lukaku told Sporza.

"What was the biggest nonsense I read? That I was supposedly told I was going to a certain club, but that didn't make any sense. There were moments when I could explode.

"Five years ago, I might have done that too, but now I didn't waste any energy on it. It was a moment to be silent and focus on myself. I concentrated on what I do well: play football."

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku pictured before the match on November 27, 2022© Reuters

Lukaku also opened up on a potential switch to Saudi Arabia, claiming that he was "honoured by their interest", but he was not ready to leave European football behind.

"I was honoured by their interest, but after the conversations we had, I was not completely convinced. The League will become one of the biggest in the world, but I didn't want to leave Europe yet," he added.

"I knew full well what was going to happen this summer and there were a few clubs I certainly would not go to. Ultimately, you have to consider what happened in recent years on a football and personal level, which is why I made my choice."

Lukaku is currently in his second spell at Chelsea, initially representing the club between 2011 and 2014 before returning in a big-money deal in the summer of 2021.

The forward scored 14 times for Inter last season, including three in the Champions League, as the Milan giants reached the final of the European competition.

ID:526221:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4437:
Written by
Matt Law

Romelu Lukaku future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Romelu Lukaku

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
New signing Romelu Lukaku is introduced to the Roma fans before the match on September 1, 2023
Read Next:
Lukaku talks up relationship with Roma boss Mourinho
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!