Chelsea: Romelu Lukaku criticised by fans for 'mistake' comment at Inter Milan

Romelu Lukaku alienated Chelsea fans from the moment that he gave his infamous Sky Italia interview in December.

After a strong start to his Stamford Bridge return that quickly petered out, Lukaku caught so much heat for what was perceived to be public flirtation with Inter Milan that an apology video was eventually released.

“I always said that I love Inter and I’ll play for them again,” the 29-year-old reflected during the interview in question, per Sky Sports’ translation. “I really hope so. I fell in love with Italy.”

The Belgium striker added: “I hope from the bottom of my heart to go back to Inter and not at the end of my career but when I’m still at a good enough level to win more trophies.”

And while Lukaku might have hoped that the situation would calm down on the back of his apology, you really did get the impression that great swathes of the Stamford Bridge faithful simply didn’t forgive him.

Lukaku eventually ended the season as Chelsea‘s top scorer in all competitions with 15 goals, but was nevertheless reduced to the status of a rotation player with Thomas Tuchel largely favouring Kai Havertz.

All in all, it led to the remarkable scenario that we find ourselves in now with Lukaku – despite having been signed for a club record fee – loaned back from whence he came less than 12 months on.

Now, look, at the end of the day, life is short and a career in football doesn’t last forever, so power to Lukaku for pursuing what feels right to him and there’s no denying that things weren’t looking positive at Chelsea.

Marry that to the fact that Lukaku has picked up unfair amounts of criticism throughout his career in general – his first touch isn’t that bad, folks – and it’s clear that he does need to be cut some slack