Gab Marcotti has dubbed loaned-out Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku as the ‘biggest loser’ of the 2023 summer transfer window after his move to Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma.
The Italian journalist says Romelu Lukaku had the simple task of ‘just answering’ Inter’s phone call and he would have returned to the 2023 Champions League finalist.
But, instead, Marcotti thinks that the 30-year-old ‘screwed it up’, and whilst he joined Mourinho at Roma, they aren’t in the Champions League, as he told ESPN.
It was obvious from the get-go that Chelsea, even though they needed a number nine, weren’t going to entertain the idea of Lukaku returning to their colours.
The player himself even knew it, acknowledged it and seemingly wanted it, yet he didn’t secure a move until very late on in the window, and that another loan.
Lukaku’s second spell at Inter, hit with injuries, didn’t go as great as his first title-winning spell, but Serie A expert Marcotti just thinks the player hasn’t handled things properly this summer.
Lukaku from Inter to AS Roma via Chelsea
“Number one has to be Romelu Lukaku,” said Marcotti. “It was all so easy for him. All so simple. Just answer Inter’s phone call. You would have got your permanent move, a club you say ‘I love’ and a club that loves you. You would have had your big deal.
“I have no idea what he was thinking. He ends up at Roma, not the worst place in the world. But it’s another loan deal. Another question mark. No Champions League football. No question. He screwed it up.”
Lukaku’s career at a crossroads
It’s another loan spell for the £325k-a-week player (Spotrac) and another question as to where his career is heading as he hits his peak years.
If things don’t go well at Roma, then what next? It’s not like he has signed a permanent deal with the club.
It will be a case of back to Chelsea and then looking for, more than likely, another short-term home, which, once again, just stagnates a career that is slowly starting to decline at the wrong time.
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