Incoming Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino could give striker Romelu Lukaku a lifeline should his loan with Inter not be extended.
This according to UK news outlet the Telegraph, which reports that the Argentine tactician would be interested in bringing the Belgian back despite how his last season London went, if he feels that the motivation is there to improve next campaign.
At the moment, everything looks to be in flux regarding Lukaku’s future at Inter.
It is no secret that the 29-year-old’s preference would be to stay at the Nerazzurri, and his plan is to try and get as much playing time over the remaining matches in the run-in of the season so that he can prove his worth and earn his place for next campaign.
However, it is far from obvious that Inter will decide to extend Lukaku‘s loan past the end of this season, whilst it has even been reported that their decision is essentially all but made, and that they will not bring him back for next campaign.
Accordingly, it could well be the case that Chelsea will have to sort out Lukaku’s future during the summer transfer window without being able to negotiate an extension of his loan to Inter.
In this case, the Telegraph reports, the Belgian could well have a place within the Blues’ first team.
This is because of the fact the Chelsea are set to appoint a new coach to replace caretaker Frank Lampard, either before the end of this campaign, or in the summer for the start of next season.
Whilst Lukaku never quite clicked with former Blues coach Thomas Tuchel in his one season back at Stamford Bridge, and it was never entirely clear whether Graham Potter would want the striker back during his ill-fated spell at Chelsea, a change on the bench could mean a change in Lukaku’s fortunes.
Former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain coach Pochettino is widely expected to be the man to replace Lampard, and according to the Telegraph, there is every chance that he would be willing to give Lukaku another chance at Chelsea.
