´Never will I let someone speak for me´ – Lukaku hits back after agent suggests Chelsea exit

Romelu Lukaku has seemingly hit out at Federico Pastorello after his agent suggested the striker was unhappy at Chelsea and wanted to return to Inter.

Lukaku has started to find his feet after initially struggling on his £97.5million return to Chelsea from Inter, scoring a brace against Wolves and striking in his last game against Leeds United.

That takes his Premier League tally to eight goals for the season in 25 games, but reports of disgruntlement again circulated on Friday ahead of the FA Cup final with Liverpool.

Thomas Tuchel was left bemused after Pastorello revealed plans to speak to Chelsea’s prospective new owners about the striker’s future, stating “it is obvious that there was a problem”.

Pastorello suggested Lukaku could return to Italy, subject to negotiations with Todd Boehly’s consortium, who have signed an agreement to purchase the club from Roman Abramovich in a deal that could be completed by the end of the month, according to reports.

In Pastorello’s interview with La Repubblica, he hinted that former club Inter or even neighbours Milan were likely suitors for Lukaku, who has since taken to Instagram to rubbish such suggestions.

“Never ever will I let someone speak for me…,” Lukaku posted. “I kept my mouth shut and focused on helping the team and end the season in the best way as possible.

“So if someone out there [is] trying to say something me and the club…Not in my name. RL.”

It is not the first time Lukaku’s future at Chelsea has been brought into question, after the talisman was quoted by Sky Sport Italy as being “not happy” with his place in Tuchel’s first-team plans in December.

Lukaku will look to place off-field concerns to one side when Chelsea face Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, Tuchel’s side aiming for revenge for the EFL Cup final loss back in February.

Happy Birthday, Rom! pic.twitter.com/zbEmvz30H8

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 13, 2022