Former Chelsea striker, Chris Sutton, has shed light on Romelu Lukaku’s underwhelming performance during his second stint at Chelsea, attributing it to the striker’s fitness levels. Sutton suggested that Lukaku may have struggled to maintain the physical condition required for Premier League football, ultimately leading to his premature departure for Inter Milan after just one season due to a reported fallout with former manager Thomas Tuchel.
Speaking on Mail Sport’s It’s All Kicking Off podcast with co-host Ian Ladyman, Sutton expressed his surprise at Lukaku’s decline in form, especially considering his impressive start that saw him score on his debut against Arsenal. Sutton remarked, “It’s a bit of a head scratcher really. If you look at Lukaku throughout his career, he has been prolific, a handful, with all the attributes. He goes to Chelsea for the second time, scores in his first game, and then just fizzles out.”
Sutton speculated that Lukaku may have let himself go in terms of fitness, leading to a loss of confidence and a decline in performance. This ultimately resulted in Lukaku returning to Italy, where he has found success both at Inter Milan and on the international stage.
The striker’s journey from Chelsea to Inter Milan serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of maintaining peak physical condition in the demanding world of professional football. Lukaku’s experience highlights the fine line between success and failure in the sport, emphasizing the need for players to stay disciplined and focused on their fitness levels to excel at the highest level.
