‘For me it’s a no-brainer.’
Owen Hargreaves and Rio Ferdinand have called upon Chelsea to give forgotten man Romelu Lukaku another chance.
After returning to the club in the summer of 2021 for a fee of £97m, Lukaku failed to make an impact at Stamford Bridge and promptly returned to Inter Milan on loan in the summer.
The Belgian fell out of favour under former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel after conducting an explosive interview with Sky Italia in which he criticised the German and flirted with the prospect of a return to Inter.
Since then Tuchel has been sacked and replaced by Graham Potter after he left Brighton to join the two-time European champions in September.
Potter however is already facing serious questions about his future. Chelsea have two wins from their last 14 games and have only scored once in their last five games – despite spending over £500m across both transfer windows this season.
None of that money went on a new striker and with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang seemingly not in Potter’s plans, Chelsea are lacking any significant attacking firepower.
With many calling for them to invest in a new forward in the summer, Ferdinand believes they may already have the answer in the shape of Lukaku.
“This guy [Lukaku], he just knows where to score,” he said on BT Sport. “I feel like he’s not fit, he’s carrying a bit more weight than normal and what he would like or the club like… still comes in and scores two goals in the last two games.”
"They've spent £600 million and they don't have a centre-forward…?"
"For me it's a no-brainer!"
Owen Hargreaves believes Chelsea should look to get Romelu Lukaku integrated back into their squad in the summer! 🇧🇪🔵
🎙️ @rioferdy5 | @mrjakehumphrey | #UCLTonight pic.twitter.com/sGkuGg2yZ5
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 22, 2023
Hargreaves agreed and feels that there is unfinished business for the 29-year-old at Stamford Bridge.
He added: “They don’t have a centre-forward. So they’ve got a really good one, just get him fit.
“He’s proven. His body of work shows he scores goals, so why would you not try and integrate him back in the summer?”
Lukaku scored the winner for Inter Milan on Wednesday night as they beat Porto in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie.
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- Gary Lineker gives sarcastic response to Chelsea’s summer transfer plans
