Inter striker Romelu Lukaku believes that he can earn a place in the Nerazzurri’s team next season, but that he’ll need sufficient playing time during the current campaign to do so.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that the 29-year-old is hoping to play as much as possible over the remainder of the season so that he can earn his place as Inter consider whether to negotiate another loan from Chelsea.
Lukaku’s situation at Inter remains up in the air, with the Belgian currently only on loan from Chelsea until the end of June.
Nerazzurri CEO Beppe Marotta has confirmed that the striker will go back to Chelsea when his loan expires, and then the clubs will see if terms can be agreed on another loan deal.
It has been reported that the Nerazzurri will not extend Lukaku’s loan, as they have seen enough from his underwhelming performances over an injury-hit campaign.
However, there is still time for the Belgian if he can keep playing in the same way that he did against Empoli over the weekend, in which his performance was evidence that he is still capable of contributing at something like his best.
Now, Lukaku’s intention is to try and keep this level up over the rest of the season, and prove that his injury and fitness problems are behind him and no longer affecting his form.
The 29-year-old’s plan is to show the Nerazzurri that as long as he is fit, he is capable of playing virtually every match, scoring goals and leading the line the way that he had done in two seasons under Antonio Conte.
Lukaku will be hoping to do this right away starting with tomorrow evening’s Coppa Italia match against Juventus, with reports suggesting that he could well start against the Bianconeri ahead of Edin Dzeko.
According to the Corriere, it is still Dzeko who is still favourite to start that match, particularly given that the Bosnian wasn’t even used as a substitute against Empoli suggesting that his fitness could be preserved to play tomorrow.
Nevertheless, even after having played out the match against Empoli, Lukaku is still pushing to be ready to start against Juventus tomorrow, or at least have a significant role to play off the bench.
The Belgian is aiming to carve out a place for himself as not just the striker who starts in Serie A, but as capable of playing nearly every match across different competitions, and in so doing convince the Nerazzurri that he can have a major role to play next season as well.