Chelsea told to abandon two transfer moves despite Romelu Lukaku exit

Frank Leboeuf has urged Chelsea to abandon two transfer moves despite Romelu Lukaku’s imminent return to Inter Milan.

Much was expected of Lukaku after he completed a £100m move to Stamford Bridge last summer, but the Belgian striker endured a dismal season, scoring just eight Premier League goals.

Lukaku made no secret of his desire to return to Serie A side Inter and Chelsea agreed a loan deal for the 29-year-old yesterday.

He will join Inter Milan on a season-long loan which has cost the Italian club 8m euros (£6.9m).

Since it became apparent that Lukaku could leave Chelsea, the Premier League giants have been linked with moves for Robert Lewandoswki and Raheem Sterling.

However, former Blues defender Leboeuf believes Thomas Tuchel should prioritise other signings and says Manchester City forward Sterling would not solve Chelsea’s problems.

Chelsea have largely impressed since Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in the Stamford Bridge hot-seat – winning the Champions League last year – but the Blues failed to keep pace with domestic rivals Man City and Liverpool last season.

Asked who Chelsea should sign to replace Lukaku, Leboeuf told EPSN: ‘No one. I think that’s not the priority for Chelsea.

‘If you only care about the headlines you talk about Lewandowski or Sterling and some other class-A players. But you have to look elsewhere in the team.

‘You need central defenders. I want to talk about [Jules] Kounde, about right-backs and a new midfielder. This is where they need to look.

‘They’ve been looking for a top-scorer for two years, it hasn’t worked. They have talented players that have to settle in and get confidence.

‘But finding a striker is not a priority. I want to see Chelsea make clever signings rather than try to