Inter legend Beppe Bergomi did not hold back in his criticism of Romelu Lukaku after the 2-2 draw with Monza. ‘He was simply embarrassing.’
The centre-forward is on loan from Chelsea at a cost of €10m, having only been sold to the Premier League side for over €110m in the summer of 2021.
His campaign has been dominated by injury problems, which persisted during Belgium’s dismal World Cup in Qatar, and is struggling to get back to fitness.
“I was kidding myself with the first half performance against Napoli, but when Lukaku came on against Monza, he was simply embarrassing,” said Inter legend and Sky Sport Italia pundit Bergomi on Radio 24.
“He couldn’t keep the ball, he seemed scared of it. I don’t know at this point if it is just a matter of his physical condition or his mental state too.
“It feels like he is carrying with him what happened at the World Cup.”
Belgium went into the tournament as one of the sides highest in the FIFA world rankings, but were eliminated in the group stage.
Lukaku had been expected to remain at Inter on an extended loan next season and then brought back on a permanent basis.
However, these recent performances have prompted a rethink within the Nerazzurri camp, who might send him back to Chelsea instead at the end of this campaign.
Some of us have been saying that of Lukuku for a long longer. I’m sure though he has an excuse. I eagerly await another interview where he will complain about the coach, and then tell us the story of the watered down milk…!