National team boss gives verdict on underperforming Chelsea star’s future

Roberto Martinez has given his honest verdict on the Chelsea future of Romelu Lukaku

While speaking to Rte as quoted by Daily Mail, Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has spoken out about the uncertainties surrounding the future of Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku in the upcoming transfer window. 

Lukaku joined Chelsea for £97.5 million in the summer of 2021, making him the club’s most expensive acquisition. However, he was unable to justify his exorbitant fee as he did not have a successful time with the London club this season. 

Lukaku arrived at Chelsea with the reputation of being a prolific goal-scorer, but he has only managed to score 15 goals in all competitions. Just a year after his big-money return from Inter Milan, the Chelsea striker is being linked with a transfer away from Stamford Bridge, with rumours of a return to Inter.

Chelsea’s decision on whether to authorise a departure or wait is unknown, and a lot will rely on the type of replacement they can find.

Martinez worked with Lukaku at Everton before joining the Belgium national squad. The ex-Wigan Athletic boss gave his honest opinion on Lukaku’s future while on international duty stating that the Belgian star is mature enough to take the right decision. 

“He wants to be important and enjoy his football. I’m sure the decision in the summer will be the right one. In Belgium, we are quite relaxed with Romelu’s situation. I know it is a big topic, but at the moment he is trying to recover from the injury and that’s the only thing he has in his mind”

The Spaniard believes if Lukaku stays at Chelsea, it’ll be for the right reasons eventually indicating that the striker might give his best to rejuvenate his form under Thomas Tuchel.   

“I know it is a big topic, but at the moment he is trying to recover from the injury and that’s the only thing he has in his mind. If he stays at Chelsea it’ll be for the right reasons.”

Chelsea awarded Lukaku a colossal salary package after buying him for £97.5million in the summer of 2021. It would be hard to recoup that kind of money now, given Lukaku’s lacklustre displays.

Chelsea’s offensive options are limited, as Timo Werner and Kai Havertz have both failed to produce convincing quantities of goals and assists. As a result, our team requires a prolific striker who can unquestionably lead the line.

In light of the aforementioned circumstances, it may be in our club’s best interests to keep Lukaku. Before going to Stamford Bridge, he was one of the best strikers in the world, and it is unreasonable to believe that he has entirely lost his form.

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After a long layoff, the Belgian may be ready to reclaim his scoring prowess. Given that it was his first campaign under Thomas Tuchel, he may have found it difficult to adjust to the German methods. However, things may improve with time, and we might see a better version of him next season.