In many ways, leaving was the only logical course of action, and Todd Boehly and his teammates promptly assisted in that process by accepting a loan agreement back to Inter Milan rather than attempting to negotiate a permanent one. There wouldn't be a package similar to what Chelsea agreed upon less than a year prior.
While Lukaku's season threatened to end similarly, Chelsea's ability to score goals has only become worse. The 30-year-old's season was marred by injuries, and under Simone Inzaghi, he had trouble cracking the starting lineup.
Combining a player Chelsea doesn't want with a market that may be worse is a bad move for the team.
However, that has begun to change as the season comes to a close. Since the beginning of April, Lukaku has contributed to 11 goals, including one against Sassuolo that exhibited all of Lukaku's best qualities. A powerful blow that would bring attention to the quality he does have.
Before the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against AC Milan, Inzaghi told reporters, "You know what Lukaku can do and as a coach I had brought him back in with enthusiasm after the last month."
"This is what he should have provided us all year, but sadly, he and [Marcelo] Brozovic were snatched from us for five months due to unforeseen circumstances. The team was forced to play without
Does any of that change the Lukaku issue that is brewing? Probably not.
It may leave the forward with a destination for the summer with the possibility of another return to Milan but it will be another moment where the Blues can't come close to recounting some of the £97.5million they spent less than two years ago.
Mauricio Pochettino will likely get his say on the striker who has managed 12 goals and five assists this term but the likelihood is he will not fit in the incoming Chelsea boss' system and immediate pressure would await Lukaku with performances being required to appease disgruntled Chelsea supporters after his frustrated interview in December 2021.
There is minimal evidence that Inter are financially able to adequately pay Chelsea for Lukaku's signing, and there is also scant evidence of transfer market competition. Given Chelsea's need for a striker and their inability to sell him for a profit, it's feasible that the hole they created by buying Lukaku will allow the forward to have a future with the Blues. a circumstance not too unlike from the ones Kepa Arriabalaga has encountered recently.
However, in the end, reducing the excess fat off Chelsea's squad will be more crucial, and Pochettino won't have much time for foolish experiments as he tries to get Chelsea back into the Premier League race.
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