Romelu Lukaku claims it is up to Chelsea whether or not he gets the chance to impress in England once again.
The Belgian was back in London as his nation held England to a draw with Jude Bellingham netting a stoppage-time equaliser. The visitors had twice led through Youri Tielemans with the Three Lions pegging them back each time as the road to Euro 2024 continues.
Lukaku will lead the line for his country and produced an impressive performance back on English soil. He came up with a stunning assist as he curled a cross with the outside of his boot to allow Tielemans to head home unopposed.
The striker remains on Chelsea 's books but, for the second successive season, is away on loan in Italy. He's currently scoring goals at Roma with a future at the Blues seemingly unclear. He was asked if he had renewed motivation to impress when he returns but simply said: "You'll have to ask Chelsea".
Lukaku moved back to Stamford Bridge for a second stint back in 2021, signing from Inter Milan for a then club-record fee. Despite a fast start he began to struggle and eventually wasn't even a guaranteed starter. He headed back to Inter last term and this year is playing in Rome.
Premier League odds and betting tipsIn the summer though he found himself in limbo as he sought to find a loan move away. He and several other players trained away from the Chelsea first team at Cobham before he secured a temporary switch.
Lukaku has since claimed that the truth about his treatment at Chelsea has not yet come out, but eventually will. He said in October: "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.
“There were moments when I really could explode, five years ago I probably would have done that too. Now I have concentrated on what I can do best – playing football." He also added: “During the summer I saw what people said about me and I trained to be there the day I had to perform. One day I will tell the truth. The others will also have to assume it at that time."
Lukaku first moved to Chelsea from Anderlecht in 2011 but was serially loaned out until Everton signed him permanently. Upon his second return he scored 15 times in 44 outings.
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