Former Cagliari and Fiorentina striker Luis Olivera feels that Inter striker Romelu Lukaku has never really recovered the form that he showed in his two seasons under Antonio Conte.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster 1 Station Radio, via FCInterNews, Oliveira suggested that the 29-year-old’s frustrating experience in his one season at Chelsea has dented his confidence a lot and seriously affected his form.

Lukaku had certainly shown what a top-level striker he can be in his two seasons playing for Inter under Conte.

The Belgian’s imperious form earned him a move to Chelsea in the summer of 2021.

However, things never clicked between the Scudetto-winning striker and the English team who had been coming off a Champions League triumph.

Lukaku may well have shown flashes of his quality for the Blues.

However, the Belgian was nowhere near his sustained best from his two first seasons at Inter, whilst his return to the Nerazzurri has been seriously blighted by injury.

“Antonio was well aware of his quality, he’s a very good coach who always wants to win,” Oliveira said.

“When he arrived at Inter, Romelu was a player who offered something extra to that team.”

“Since then he’s struggled, I think when you struggle at a top team like Chelsea you begin to doubt your qualities.”

“He had to show even more than what he showed in the Nerazzurri shirt, but instead encountered difficulties.”