Romelu Lukaku will have plenty of power in talks with Chelsea over his future (Image: Getty)
Romelu Lukaku did not look like a striker unsure of himself in Belgium’s 2-2 draw with England on Tuesday night. But the forward will return to Chelsea in the summer with his future up in the air and bashfully said after shining at Wembley that questions over where he will play his football next season should be directed at his parent club.
Lukaku’s performance against England was that of a typical centre forward. He ran the channels, he held up play, he was committed in duels, and while he failed to score, he provided a sumptuous cross for Youri Tielemans to head home.
It was a version of Lukaku with which Chelsea fans might even be unfamiliar. His second spell at Chelsea was punctuated by games in which he rarely touched the ball, scarcely covered any ground and was unreliable in front of goal.
Chelsea have been crying out for a player capable of doing what Lukaku produced against England. Nicolas Jackson’s inconsistency has been a source of frustration for supporters, with Cole Palmer carrying the goal-scoring burden at Stamford Bridge.
Lukaku does not appear to have a future in west London, having been left out of Pochettino’s squad for each of Chelsea’s pre-season friendlies before he sealed a loan move to Roma. However, with two years remaining on his contract, the 30-year-old will hold all the power in the summer. That provides Chelsea’s first major dilemma regarding Lukaku as he will not rush into a decision on his future, nor simply accept wherever the Stamford Bridge hierarchy wish to send him.
Romelu Lukaku shone for Belgium against England at Wembley to show Chelsea what they're missing (Image: Getty)
Chelsea demanded a big fee for the former Manchester United and Everton player last year. Only clubs in Saudi Arabia appeared to show an interest in a permanent move, but Lukaku showed little desire to follow several high-profile stars to the Gulf Nation, believing he still had plenty to offer in European football.
Inter Milan received £97.5million for Lukaku in the summer of 2021 but he was back on loan 12 months later. Inter were unable to stump up the cash wanted by Chelsea last summer and he ended up joining Roma in a temporary agreement.
Another loan could be possible for the 2024-25 season but FIFA are set to decrease the number of first-team players clubs can loan out to a maximum of six. For the 2023-24 season, that number stands at seven, with Lukaku filling one space in Chelsea’s quota. The only exception to this requirement is if a player is both under the age of 21 and club-trained.
Chelsea’s bloated squad means they might need to utilise their full quota of loanees again next season. If Lukaku does not find a permanent destination, he will likely take up a space that would otherwise be filled by a younger player who Chelsea believe could have a future at the club but needs regular game time elsewhere.
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Romelu Lukaku has excelled on loan at Roma from Chelsea this season (Image: Getty)
Lukaku has scored 18 goals across all competitions for Roma this season. That follows 14 the year before for Inter. His eagerness to continue playing in Europe has been unequivocally justified.
There might even be Chelsea fans who believe Lukaku should be reintegrated by Pochettino. This is an elite striker who can still compete at the very top of the game, but also be an arm around the shoulder of one of the Premier League’s youngest squads.
Chelsea will hope that Lukaku’s future can be resolved as soon into the summer transfer window as possible. Whichever club signs him will be getting a player who remains one of Europe’s best marksmen when on form.
