"He created a bit of a mess" - Patrice Evra claims 28-year-old star shouldn't have joined Chelsea

Manchester United legend Patrice Evra has jumped to the defense of beleaguered Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian made a sensational return to Stamford Bridge last summer on a staggering £97.5 million transfer from Inter Milan. However, he has endured a troubled spell since then.

Although he scored in his first game back, Lukaku has struggled to find consistency. His comments during an interview with Sky Italia in January also sparked tensions between him and the club.

With ankle injuries and a COVID-19 bout also sidelining him from some fixtures, Lukaku has struck only 12 times from 36 games in all competitions this season. Only five of those goals came in the Premier League.

The 28-year-old is now widely deemed a flop. However, Evra believes the striker is just misunderstood.

Speaking to Prime Video, the former Manchester United defender said:

“People who criticize him have a short memory. Because when he arrived in London he scored and did well; then he got injured and said he missed Inter.

“In the end, he created a bit of a mess with the [Chelsea] fans.”

Two highly successful years with the Nerazzurri reinstated Lukaku as one of the best players in his position.

However, Evra feels the player's decision to seek a new challenge at his former club was a mistake. He explained:

“He wanted to return to Chelsea at all costs, he should have stayed at Inter after such a high-level season.

“He made that choice there which for me is wrong.”

Lukaku has only started twice for the Blues since March, with Kai Havertz keeping him on the bench with a great run of form.

Given his exorbitant wages, it's not feasible for the club to keep him as a back-up striker either.

Romelu Lukaku's future at Chelsea is up in the air

Romelu Lukaku is once again the subject of transfer speculation after everything that's happened since his Chelsea return.

Although his contract runs until June 2026, some experts say he doesn't have a future at the club.

With Tuchel also preferring Havertz over him, there's clearly a lack of trust. Lukaku didn't help his situation with a wasteful display against Real Madrid either.

The striker has vowed not to make any snap decisions on his future at Stamford Bridge following the setbacks. However, questions remain about what his future at the club would be like under the current manager.