Paolo Di Canio says Romelu Lukaku would struggle to make Inter Milan's starting XI after failing to impress in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea paid £98million to re-sign the Belgian striker from Inter Milan in August 2021. The transfer saw Lukaku return to Stamford Bridge 10 years after he first joined the club.
He made an immediate impact for Chelsea - scoring against Arsenal on his second debut for the club. However, he struggled to maintain consistency this season.
Lukaku has scored just ten goals in 29 appearances since his return to Stamford Bridge. As a result, he has been dropped to the bench on several occasions.
The Belgian striker failed to make Thomas Tuchel's starting XI for Chelsea's last two matches against Lille in the Champions League and Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Final.
Therefore, the 28-year-old is said to be open to returning to Inter Milan at the end of the 2021-2022 season.
However, Di Canio says Lukaku will struggle to make the starting XI despite the underwhelming form of Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, Di Canio said: 'He'd be very expensive considering that he'd be a reserve in this Inter side.
'Inter have a different playing style, with more quality and a striker [Edin Dzeko] almost playing as an attacking midfielder. Lukaku doesn't have this quality.'
Lukaku has been struggling to mack an impact at Chelsea as of late. He touched the ball a Premier League-record low seven times against Crystal Palace.
As a result, he was dropped to the bench for Chelsea's Champions League last-16 first-leg clash with Lille at Stamford Bridge.
He also warmed the bench for Chelsea's Carabao Cup Final against Liverpool - which the lost following a dramatic penalty shootout.
Speaking about Lukaku's struggles, Tuchel said he would throw his full support behind the Belgium striker - despite previously calling the 28-year-old out for his attitude.
In January Lukaku came underfire for his actions off the pitch. He gave an interview to Sky Sport Italy in which he confessed to being unhappy under Tuchel and hinted at a return to Inter.
Lukaku apologised soon after and insisted his interview was only ever designed as a respectful goodbye to Inter fans.
However, he has struggled to come back from that - with Chelsea supporters questioning his commitment to the club.
yeobdkotu
0
it seems di Canio is reacist he's not the only player who has leaft inter allow him to do his job nobody knows u more than lukaku shut up Lukaku is better than u when u were playing
yeobdkotu
0
shout up n leave lukaku alone who are u to cretisize him what did u dio for Lazio? nonsenes
SJR17
0
Lukaku will proof you all wrong Come next season if not sold
Okay 👍
hicceklpt
0
Lukaku will proof you all wrong Come next season if not sold
hicceklpt
0
Di canio,no lukaku working with mount is mount work lukaku play just look at them what mount will do so lukaku,nothing lukaku need to do than just to play no back to goal what lukaku learn from conte so back to the team,which work lukaku do playing with mount mount do the job so lukaku do when no mount play so we better the team,lukaku games no timo mount or lukaku play well when havertz nine is in the team and what ziyech want to play so odoi play after pulisic,no one thing
Haah 😂😂😂Whats this
ChelseaFC_Addict
0
Lukaku is a waste of money
Pozknosuyz
0
i dont know what you fans see in lukaku
Netcpst
0
Your team played Liverpool and it was humiliated home and away so at least shut up
with so many injuries. bring Liverpool now
jikdeklryz
0
Di canio,no lukaku working with mount is mount work lukaku play just look at them what mount will do so lukaku,nothing lukaku need to do than just to play no back to goal what lukaku learn from conte so back to the team,which work lukaku do playing with mount mount do the job so lukaku do when no mount play so we better the team,lukaku games no timo mount or lukaku play well when havertz nine is in the team and what ziyech want to play so odoi play after pulisic,no one thing
zolexreporters
2
frankly speaking, if what I sew yesterday between Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko are anything to go by, both of them will go back to the bench when lukaku returns. FORGET that lukaku is not getting the goals now.
ifthekeifty
0
Even as a Chelsea fan I know it's true. Their free Dzeko plays better than Lukaku..
LIVERPOOLIAN_INTER
0
Are inter better than Chelsea?
Yes
Mimacdeiko
2
Senseless talk always
jiokes
0
Hmmmm! Lukaku should’ve just stayed in inter and be a legend there, than the league he failed there twice
and who told you he failed in the premier league? so does 116 premier league goals a failure to you? I guess either you watch ice 🏑 or basketball
norriske
1
which team is he talking about the useless inter Milan fc look at there useless fat player's like elephant who only know how to play Seria a,, look at the last time when they play Liverpool at home in the championsleague it's like the kids playing football. lukaku don't need you people now.
Your team played Liverpool and it was humiliated home and away so at least shut up
sonaeopstu
0
lukaku would walk and immediately resume record breaking any time if given the opportunity
Facts
sonaeopstu
1
which team is he talking about the useless inter Milan fc look at there useless fat player's like elephant who only know how to play Seria a,, look at the last time when they play Liverpool at home in the championsleague it's like the kids playing football. lukaku don't need you people now.
Dude ur English so broke … u talking trash
sonaeopstu
5
He makes it easily back into that 11 … don’t know what you was smoking when u said this … he was the man there and has always been the man there
royalmnopr
0
Big Rom should join wwe and tag team with Omos
kakadmpr
3
di canio is so crazy
cale233
0
Hmmmm! Lukaku should’ve just stayed in inter and be a legend there, than the league he failed there twice
He chose money
Yoeadklor
5
Nonsense...of course lukaku would make it in Inter's first 11 besides Lautaro. Who'll be there to stop him? Certainly not Alexis Sanchez....
Putcdemrt
3
which team is he talking about the useless inter Milan fc look at there useless fat player's like elephant who only know how to play Seria a,, look at the last time when they play Liverpool at home in the championsleague it's like the kids playing football. lukaku don't need you people now.
Dahaceinor
2
Sounds Dumb!! Is he a coach or a has been???..ah figures! 😂😂😂😩😩😩😩😩
muaaekopsy
0
Premier League > Serie A, Lukaku is evidence for that
so does, MLS > laliga, epl, bundesliga, farmer league n seria a? Im just saying *memes*
woeikltu
1
Are inter better than Chelsea?
LIVING-TRIBUNAL
0
la liga > epl. hazard is evidence for that
shet!!!! these arguments are flawed
peycdeklsu
0
Premier League > Serie A, Lukaku is evidence for that
la liga > epl. hazard is evidence for that
Lukcklmruz
1
Hmmmm! Lukaku should’ve just stayed in inter and be a legend there, than the league he failed there twice
Magpie_Fan
2
Premier League > Serie A, Lukaku is evidence for that
iffy1985
1
Paolo Di Canio will you keep your mouth shut. Talking about Lukaku and Inter you shouldn't disrespect his great hard works when he was in Inter he will make starting 11 even in Juventus or RM
Joaaemuz
0
Stop talking trash , Lautaro would start in front Lautaro or Dzeko anyday
they are not good enough
Joaaemuz
0
Stop talking trash , Lautaro would start in front Lautaro or Dzeko anyday
that is y inter is struggling now
mazikin222
3
lukaku would walk and immediately resume record breaking any time if given the opportunity
KES09
2
Stop talking trash , Lautaro would start in front Lautaro or Dzeko anyday