Romelu Lukaku 'was left upset at being snubbed in Chelsea's TWITTER POST celebrating the New Year'

Romelu Lukaku was reportedly left 'upset' at a Chelsea tweet celebrating the new year - after his image was only a small part of a montage of players.

Lukaku has departed Stamford Bridge following a turbulent year back at the club having joined for £98.5million last summer from Inter Milan.

But the Belgian striker has flopped in his second spell at the club and has now rejoined the Italian giants for £6.9million on loan having scored just eight goals in 26 Premier League appearances last season.

Chelsea celebrated the new year with a tweet containing a montage of players from across their men's and women's teams, with the club's more prominent stars featuring near the top and as the bigger images.

However, Lukaku can barely be seen in the image, featuring near the bottom above the first zero of 2022.

According to The Athletic, Lukaku was 'upset by the apparent snub', which came just a day after an explosive interview aired where he publicly declared his unhappy role at Chelsea as well as a desire for a future return to Inter Milan.

Lukaku had said in an interview with Sky Sport Italia last December: ‘Physically I am fine. But I'm not happy with the situation at Chelsea. [Thomas] Tuchel has chosen to play with another system.

‘I won't give up, I'll be professional. I am not happy with the situation but I am professional - and I can't give up now.’

‘Now it's the right time to share my feelings. I have always said that I have Inter in my heart: I know I will return to Inter, I really hope so. I am in love with Italy, this is right moment to talk and let people know what really happened.'

Tuchel was left furious by Lukaku's interview and its timing coming just days before a clash with Premier League rivals Liverpool. The Belgian was dropped and fined two weeks wages.

The report added that the Chelsea boss even gathered his players in training to warn them of giving such high profile interviews without the club's knowledge although Chelsea denied this ever took place.

Lukaku is on the cusp of completing his switch back to the San Siro, where he was a major player after helping them to the league title in the 2020-21 season, after undergoing a medical on Wednesday.

The former Manchester United striker was seen waving to supporters in Italy prior to his medical and admitted he was delighted to be back at a club where he felt wanted.

Asked what convinced him to return, he said: 'The affection of the fans and my team-mates, but also the opportunity to work with the coach.

'I stayed in contact with him all last season. I think the coach is doing well with the team. I want to contribute and do good for this club.

'It's like coming home. I think my family and I had a really good time in Milan thanks to the people, the fans and my team-mates. From the first day when I arrived here everyone helped me a lot, I'm really happy.

'I didn't even leave my home when I went to England, which shows how happy I am to be back here. Now I just want to see the guys on the pitch.'