Chelsea head coach Graham Potter expects that the situation of Blues-owned Inter striker Romelu Lukaku will be discussed by the clubs at the end of the season, but that right now it’s not appropriate for him to speak about another team’s player.
Speaking in a press conference, as reported by FCInterNews, the Chelsea coach declined to comment about the Belgian beyond that it will be a matter for later on in the season.
Whilst Lukaku is currently at Inter, and will remain there until the end of the season, nothing is certain beyond that point.
Given that the paid loan keeping the 29-year-old at the San Siro is only a one-season deal with no automatic option or obligation to extend or make the signing permanent, the clubs will have to discuss what the next step is or else he will simply return to Chelsea.
There have been numerous reports that Inter would like to keep Lukaku beyond the end of this season, and that Chelsea would be amenable.
However, Inter CEO Beppe Marotta has also suggested that the striker will return to Chelsea first and then the two clubs will speak and see if a new deal can be worked out.
As for Chelsea coach Potter’s perspective, he simply said that “I’m not thinking about him at the moment, he’s an Inter player.”
“I’m sure that there will be discussions on his future, but at the end of the season.”