Romelu Lukaku, who is still in love with Serie A powerhouse Roma, has made an unexpected hint about his future at Chelsea.
His remarks were made following Roma’s crushing of Premier League team Brighton in their first-leg Europa League last-sixteen match on Thursday night.
Paulo Dybala, Lukaku, Gianluca Mancini, and Bryan Cristante goals at the Stadio Olimpico appear to have put an end to the Seagulls’ chances of qualifying for Europe after the Italian team defeated them 4-0.
After failing to clinch a permanent departure from Stamford Bridge last summer, the Belgium striker is now on loan at Roma after deals to Inter Milan and Juventus both fell through.
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And Lukaku, who has played 35 games in all competitions for Daniele De Rossi’s team, is clearly loving life in the Italian metropolis, tallying 18 goals and dishing out four assists.
Lukaku did, in fact, seem to take a slight go at former Roma manager Jose Mourinho when he acknowledged that De Rossi’s coaching gives him more freedom to play.
Following Brighton’s victory, he stated in Sky Sport Italia, “The coach gives me more freedom in midfield and to push up.”
In His Words?
“I have to attack the space, whereas before I was asked to hold the ball up. It is the first time I am being used as the lone centre-forward in Italy, but I’m settling well and hope we can continue improving to go far in Serie A and the Europa League.
“De Rossi talks about having new objectives every day and give your best to hit those targets. Every training session is a test and I like that, because I think great players do have to be stimulated.
“He said we have the objective of getting into the top four in Serie A and also progressing in Europe, so we can never let our foot off the gas.
“It was a different experience, but as soon as I arrived, I saw how much the fans love this team. I also called Radja Nainggolan and he helped prepare me for how I ought to behave.
“Mourinho helped me and now De Rossi is too. I try to give my best for Roma, many people don’t know what my situation was, so I thank Roma.”
Lukaku refuses to rule out Chelsea stay
As for whether the 30-year-old will end up joining Roma permanently, the Chelsea attacker was certainly coy on that answer.
He added: “I don’t want to cause controversy in England, I have to be intelligent about this!”
Lukaku returned to Chelsea in 2021 for a then club record £97million but he struggled to re-adjust to life in the Premier League ad was eventually shipped out to Italy.
Chelsea are ack in action on Monday evening when they host Newcastle in the Premier League, while Lukaku is expected to start again as Roma head to Fiorentina in Serie A on Sunday.
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