Italian journalist Massimo Marianella believes that Romelu Lukaku’s return to Inter on loan from Chelsea was the result of the fact that the 29-year-old wanted to come and play where he is happy and feels that he belongs.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, Marianelle gave his thoughts on the Belgian’s return to the Nerazzurri, whilst he also predicted that Andre Onana will settle into the starting goalkeeping role at Inter next season.
Lukaku made the blockbuster move from Inter to Chelsea last summer, a transfer which saw the Blues outlay a massive transfer fee and also the striker’s wages increase significantly as he joined the team who were at that time the reigning Champions League holders.
However, the move never seemed to work out, and the Belgian made no secret of the fact that he wanted a move back to the Nerazzurri until it finally happened, with the loan having been confirmed at the end of last month.
“He was happy in Italy, both the country and the league,” Marianelle said. “Over the years I’ve seen many players kissing the badges of clubs and then moving somewhere else, so it’s great to see a positive example such as his.”
“He’s proved how much he wanted to return to Inter,” he continued, “I think he’ll come back as the same player he was when he left.”
Marianella also spoke about the situation of Andre Onana and Samir Handanovic in goal for Inter next season, predicting that “I think Onana will be the starter.”
“He’s coming in off the back of a difficult period, having played little during the past thirteen or fourteen months,” he noted of the Cameroonian.
“He’s a modern goalkeeper,” he added, “maybe sometimes a little too much, in the Ajax style.”
“He’ll make great saves and also some mistakes, as happens when a player wears a great shirt,” Marianella anticipated. “He had various paths in front of him, he chose Inter because he’ll have received some assurances.”
