Former AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf has criticised Romelu Lukaku’s decision to leave Inter for Chelsea in 2021, but hoped the striker would regain form since returning to the Nerazzurri.
Lukaku fired Inter to the Serie A title before pushing through a €115 million switch to former club Chelsea, but endured a difficult first season back in the Premier League, and returned to Inter on loan for the current season.
In an interview published in today’s newspaper edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, Seedorf, who also represented Inter in his career, suggested that Lukaku had departed for financial factors but had no reason to leave the Nerazzurri last year.
“I think Lukaku was wrong to leave. If you’re doing well, why go to Chelsea?”, the former Netherlands international questioned.
“Money is the most obvious answer but it doesn’t always have to take priority, this is also one of the reasons why there are fewer top players today. However, I wish him well and hope he finds the magic again.”
After retiring following a spell in Brazil with Botafogo, Seedorf took up coaching and his most recent role saw him lead the Cameroon national team until 2019.
It saw him work with Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana, who has since announced his retirement from international football after being sent home from the World Cup last month, but Seedorf was optimistic that he would change his mind.
“Onana is a great goalkeeper, an intelligent, curious man, who takes an interest and believes in himself. I think he will return to play for the national team.”
The former Real Madrid midfielder also spoke on Inter striker Lautaro Martinez, after he endured a difficult World Cup with eventual champions Argentina.
“Lautaro is a great player but let’s not compare the role he has in Argentina and Inter.
“With the Nerazzurri he has almost the weight of Messi in the national team. He will grow further and at the 2026 World Cup he will do very well,” Seedorf added.
The Dutchman joined Inter from Real Madrid in December 1999 and made 93 appearances before crossing the San Siro to join Milan in 2002.
He enjoyed great success with the Rossoneri, winning two league titles, the Champions League twice, and the Coppa Italia once.
