MAURICIO POCHETTINO has poured cold water on the possibility for Romelu Lukaku to reignite his Chelsea career.
Blues boss Poch left out several key names from his 29-man United States touring group this pre-season as he continues his epic squad streamlining in West London.
He has overseen a mass departure this summer with ELEVEN outgoings so far, including Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante, Kai Havertz and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as well as Christian Pulisic, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy.
Meanwhile, Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi are continuing their summer conditioning back in England with the expectation they will leave the club.
Following his arrival at Stamford Bridge, Poch revealed he wanted Lukaku to arrive at pre-season on time ahead of a conversation about his future at the club.
However, it now seems Lukaku is destined to play his football away from Chelsea this upcoming season, with both Serie A giants Inter Milan and Juventus linked.
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Asked about his decision to keep Lukaku and his three teammates at home, Poch explained: “It is the club and of course it is an interesting situation.
“When this type of decision is [made, it is] because they all agree. The player and club are working hard to try and find best solution.”
Poch continued: “It is obvious the decision had been made on the side of the player also. We act in consequence of the decision. The club and player are in the position they wanted.”
Lukaku – who re-signed for Chelsea from Inter for a club-record £97m in the summer of 2021 – is determined to return to Italy where he spent last campaign on loan with the Nerazzurri, scoring 14 goals in 37 outings and reaching the Champions League final.
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Chelsea were originally keen to offloads Lukaku to the Saudi Super League, along with the likes of former stars N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy.
However, Lukaku has no interest in playing in Saudi Arabia, despite the hefty wage increase.
Poch also has a decision to make on defender Levi Colwill, who spent last season on loan with Brighton and is wanted back by the Seagulls, seeing a £30m bid recently turned down.
Wesley Fofana’s recent operation on a ruptured ACL leaves the Argentine coach short at the back, and he has made it clear he expects Colwill to fight for his place instead of leaving.
On Colwill, Poch said: “We were talking. It was a nice talk. It is important that they need to know us.
“To know what we think, to see that the competition will be tough but to challenge for that and know they can be in the starting XI because football is about competing.
“They understood and we understood what they wanted to translate to us. All is clear and we are happy with all the players we have in the USA.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
