Tottenham boss Antonio Conte refuses to fuel speculations over Romelu Lukaku’s future at Chelsea, saying it would be ‘disrespectful’ to speak about the Belgian striker’s situation at Stamford Bridge.
Lukaku released a controversial interview with Sky Sport Italia last week, apologising to Inter fans for the way he left and saying he hopes to return to the club one day.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel didn’t include him in the squad for the Premier League match against Liverpool yesterday and is expected to meet the Belgian forward to discuss his future at the club today.
Inter are unlikely to re-sign the Belgian striker in the January transfer window, but Lukaku has been linked with reuniting with Antonio Conte at Tottenham.
The former Inter coach pushed to sign Lukaku at Inter in 2019 and the Belgium international scored64 goals in 95 games across all competitions at Inter under Conte.
However, the 57-year-old refuses to comment on Lukaku’s situation two days before a Carabao Cup meeting against his former club Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
“I think it’s always a good thing to play against a team that has all the players are available. For the people that watch the game, I think it’s good to see the best players on the pitch,” said Conte, as quoted by Football London.
“Honestly, I’d like to not speak about Romelu because Romelu now is a player of another team and I think it’d be disrespectful to speak about him and also about Chelsea.
“For me, for sure it’ll be great to come back to Stamford Bridge. It’s the first time after I left Chelsea as manager to come back to Stamford Bridge. I spent two amazing seasons, I created a lot of friendships at the club, we did a really important, good job and I enjoyed working there.
“Also because I have to thank Chelsea because they gave me the possibility to work in England and have my first experiences in England. Now, for sure, I’m the manager of Tottenham and I want to give this club 100 per cent and more to try to improve the team. It’ll be good and for sure I’ll have emotion to come back to Stamford Bridge.”
Every word Antonio Conte had to say ahead of Tottenham's match against Chelsea on possible Covid cases, January transfers, Romelu Lukaku, returning to Stamford Bridge and injuries.https://t.co/IWuGHqjhy3
— football.london (@Football_LDN) January 3, 2022
Yet another article on this?