Romelu Lukaku driven by ‘anger’ after disappointing Chelsea return

Striker wants to prove his critics wrong after going back to Inter Milan

Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring for Chelsea against Aston Villa during the 2021/22 season when the Belgian finished with 14 goals from 44 games in all competitions. EPA

Romelu Lukaku scores from the penalty spot for Chelsea against Wolves in the Premier League, in May 2022. EPA

Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Wolves. Getty

Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku scores against Arsenal during the Premier League match in August 2021. Getty

A fan holds up a sign at Stamford Bridge during the game between Chelsea and Aston Villa in September 2021. Getty

Romelu Lukaku in August 2021 after completing his move back to Chelsea. Getty

Romelu Lukaku, pictured with his Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte, scored 64 goals in 95 games for the Serie A club. AP

Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku shoots at goal during the Serie A match against Parma in March 2021. AFP

Romelu Lukaku scores from the spot for Inter Milan during the Serie A game against Spezia in December 2020. Reuters

Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring for Inter Milan during their Serie A match against Torino in November 2020. Reuters

Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku celebrates after the Serie A match against AC Milan in February 2020. Reuters

Romelu Lukaku scored 42 goals in 96 games for Manchester United. AFP

Romelu Lukaku scores for Manchester United during the Premier League game at Burnley in September 2018. Reuters

Romelu Lukaku with Paul Pogba during his spell at Manchester United. Reuters

Romelu Lukaku scored 87 in 166 games for Everton. PA

Romelu Lukaku during his loan spell at Everton from Chelsea for the 2013/14 season. AFP

Everton’s Romelu Lukaku scores against Aston Villa in the Premier League. Reuters

Everton's Romelu Lukaku in action against Manchester United, the team he would end up joining. Getty

Romelu Lukaku celebrates after Leicester City's Matthew Upson scored an own goal against Everton during a 2-2 Premier League draw in February 2015. Getty

Romelu Lukaku during his loan spell at West Bromwich Albion from Chelsea when he scored 17 goals in 38 games in the 2012/13 season.

Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring while on loan at West Bromwich Albion.

Romelu Lukaku shoots at goal for Chelsea during a Premier League game against Aston Villa in August 2013. AFP

Romelu Lukaku made 15 appearances for Chelsea during his first spell without scoring. AFP

Romelu Lukaku scores for Anderlecht in a Europa League game against Athletic Bilbao in February 2010. Lukaku scored 41 goals in 98 games for the Belgian club. AFP

Anderlecht's Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring against Athletic Bilbao during the Europa League match in 2010. AFP

Romelu Lukaku is determined to use his “anger” from an underwhelming campaign at Chelsea to impress again with Inter Milan.

The Belgium striker has returned to Inter on loan for the new season, moving back to the club he left to rejoin Chelsea in a £97.5 million deal during the summer of 2021.

Former Everton and Manchester United forward Lukaku failed to hit the heights of previous spells in England, but still finished with 15 goals, and the 29-year-old intends to prove his critics wrong by having an impressive second spell with the Nerazzurri.

“The [last] season at Chelsea gave me extra motivation to do even better than before,” Lukaku said in an interview with DAZN Italia.

“I think in one year everyone has forgotten about the things I am capable of doing on the pitch. That is a kind of anger that I have inside me.

“That now the [Inter] team has it too, which didn’t win last year, all together we hope to do better and bring something home.”

Lukaku had a spell at Chelsea as a teenager but was let go by the club in 2014, eventually joining Everton after successful loan spells with West Bromwich Albion and the Toffees.

A £75m move to United followed in 2017, before Lukaku completed another big-money switch to Inter two years later.

Reflecting on his earlier career at Stamford Bridge, Lukaku said: “I think before when I left, I wanted to take revenge at Chelsea because when I was young it was my team for 11 years.

“I had the opportunity to go back there and thought I would be a hero, but that wasn’t the case.

“In March, I heard there was an opportunity to come back here [to Inter].

“Slowly I didn’t say anything, but towards the end of the season we did a very good job with the club and I was able to come back here.

“I make reflections only at the end of the season, so after the last game I put myself to think what my situation was – I saw that as a player with Inter I did well, the season at Chelsea for me was difficult.

“I had no doubts, that is why I made the decision to come back here [to Inter].”