Romelu Lukaku’s agent Federico Pastorello highlighted how the decision to leave Inter for Chelsea was ‘much more painful’ than people expect.
The 28-year-old Belgian striker, who was Inter’s main man in their Scudetto winning run last season, joined the Blues in the summer in a deal worth around €115 million.
Lukaku’s departure seemed inevitable during the summer after the extent of Inter’s poor financial situation was revealed, but fans still felt bitter about the move regardless.
“We have received a lot of criticism from Nerazzurri fans. Because, when these things happen, they feel upset. Unfortunately. The decision to leave Inter was much more painful than what people think. We really discussed it a lot.” said Pastorello in an interview with Italian newspaper Tuttosport.
“I have to be honest, just because on the other side there was another club that means a lot to Lukaku, we decided to go ahead with this deal. From a personal and emotional point of view it was a really difficult thing. And Chelsea sought him out with great desire,” he continued.
“This was certainly important in the choice he made. However, football moves on. Inter are now first in the table also thanks to the players they have signed, so we are all happy! For the difficulty and the level of finances, it’s a deal that has made me very proud.
“Just as it made me proud to have brought him to Italy from Manchester United, because it was another very, very complicated negotiation.” Pastorello concluded.
The 28-year-old Lukaku signed a five-year contract with Chelsea, looking to prove himself in West London after his brief spell with the club earlier in his career.
Unfortunately for the Belgian striker, it’s been a slow start since returning to life in England, only scoring five goals in 16 appearances across all competitions for the Blues. He also missed six games due to a sprain and has not started a Premier League game since recovering last month.
Pastorello: «Io e Lukaku criticati dai tifosi dell'Inter ma addio molto sofferto» – https://t.co/Bsg7dBOHlT
— Inter-News.it (@internewsit) December 13, 2021
Zip it pasterello!! Big boy is flopping at Chelsea, and now needs somehow to get some attention. BTW thanks for stabilizing my club’s finance.
Antonio Conte and National team coach Martinez are the only ones to get the best out of Lukaku, Player of his calibre needs to be given the role which suits him and start scoring
Of course it was a difficult decision for him. He is now part of a bigger squad, and a team that does not cater to his attributes, tactically, though. That was his decision. I don’t really blame Rom though, because if he had stayed, Suning would have simply looked for the 110m by selling others, and it would have meant losing maybe 3 or even 4 other players, Brozo, Barella, Bastoni, Skriniar…
It will be more painful for him now.. Watching Chelsea play and inter win from the bench
Lukaku can only play in limited systems.