Legendary former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink feels that Romelu Lukaku should have made financial sacrifices to stay at Inter if he was really committed to remaining at the club over the summer.

Speaking to UK broadcaster Sky Sports, the Dutchman emphasized the view that Lukaku has made his own decision to switch to Chelsea over the summer, and could have done more to stay on in Milan.

Lukaku and Inter both accepted a massive financial offer from Chelsea during the summer transfer window which saw the Belgian striker depart for the English capital.

The sale had massive effects on the Nerazzurri, giving them a much-needed cash injection but also forcing them to rebuild their attack, while the 28-year-old has failed to settle in in London, partly due to injuries and COVID.

In candid recent remarks in an interview with Sky Sport Italia, the striker stated that he regrets leaving Inter for Chelsea, though Hasselbaink feels that he should have offered to take a pay cut to stay if this was what he really wanted.

“I like Romelu, I think he’s an absolutely magnificent player,” explained the Dutchman. “When he plays he gives Chelsea a different dimension.”

“But what he said, and how he said it, I don’t really understand it. We all know he had to leave Inter because the club was in financial difficulties, so if he really loves Inter he should have said, ‘Give me half my salary, I want to stay.'”

“He didn’t do that, did he?” Hasselbaink went on. “I feel that it’s disrespectful.”