According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chelsea will appoint Mauricio Pochettino for 2023-24 and the Argentinean will try to convince Romelu Lukaku to stay at Stamford Bridge.
The Belgian striker is on loan at Inter but will return to Chelsea at the end of the current campaign, as confirmed by Beppe Marotta in March. Multiple sources in Italy, however, claim Lukaku wants to play for Inter again next season and will push to return to the Stadio Meazza in the summer.
The Blues will appoint a new coach for 2023-24 and Gazzetta confirms Mauricio Pochettino is the designated candidate to take over at Stamford Bridge. ‘Only the official announcement is missing,’ writes Gazzetta’s correspondent in London, Davide Chinellato.
According to the report, one of the first matters of debate between the ex-Tottenham boss and owner Todd Boehly will be the future of Lukaku. Pochettino reportedly wants to persuade the Belgian striker to stay at the club and he will present his project for Chelsea’s future to Lukaku in the coming weeks.
The Blues won’t play European competitions in 2023-24, but Pochettino aims to rebuild and reportedly sees Lukaku as an experienced player who can help him in the process. Pochettino and Boehly will give the striker time to consider their offer.
‘Lukaku will be offered a role in all this, with the idea of reviving his career in what’s considered the most important league in the world,’ concludes Gazzetta.
Sitting on the bench in “the most important league in the world” is not good strategy for a (soon to be) 30 year old striker whose physique is such that he needs to play always to be at his best.