Live Bar December 31, 2019 Sky Sports Italy released an interview program with Lukaku, who recalled his reasons and consequences of leaving Inter and joining Chelsea.
The following is the complete compilation
Are you okay at Chelsea?
Lukaku: Physically, I'm in a good situation, even better than before. It's something I've achieved after two years of working with the Inter team and coach in Italy and is something that will benefit me for the rest of my life. I'm not happy with my situation at Chelsea, but it's normal. I think the coach made his choice, he changed the formation, but I'm not going to give up, I'm going to keep working, I'm a professional player.
I respect the coach's choice and what I have to do is work hard and bide my time. We're trying to find a model that better do our part and ultimately help the team. The coach made his choice and I had to keep working hard.
Only a few months apart, but it seems like a lifetime...
Lukaku: It's all over and I shouldn't have left Inter that way. Now when I talk to fans, it's really bothering. It wasn't the right time, I had Inter in mind and I would be back there to play. I really hope so. I'm in love with Italy and it's time to speak up and let everyone know what's going on, I don't say bad things about other people, I'm not that kind of person.
You won the championship with Inter...
Lukaku: I always think of Milan City, and for me it was the best moment of my career. Thanks to my teammates, they took good care of me from the first day I joined. I would also like to thank Conte and Inzaghi, they all took good care of me, and so did the executives, all of whom were great. And Inter fans are the best in the world.
So why did it end?
Lukaku: You know, as a player, I grew up as a Chelsea fan, it's my favorite team, and the picture of me going to Stamford Bridge when I was 15 and then I went there when I was 18, but it didn't go well, and the challenge has always been in my head. I'm the kind of person I'm, I always try to face the difficulties and I don't know why it's always been the case, it inspires me to move forward and I find something in my heart to help the team.
After my first year at Inter, I turned down Manchester City's offer, which was even higher than chelsea had given. I didn't want to go, I felt that wasn't the time, it was the first year and I couldn't leave Inter. I want to give for Inter because Inter saved my career.
I was in an aisle at Manchester United at the time and it felt terrible, for Inter I was a great investment and we did great things together. After winning the league title, I went to the management to ask for a renewal and I said I'm 28 now, my family feels good in Milan and we all want to settle here. But Inter didn't want to renew his contract, saying it was impossible and I had a hard time accepting it.
In my mind's eye, there are three teams that are absolutely top-notch: Barca, Real Madrid and Bayern. Everyone wants to play there, that's true, but I thought I was creating my own story at Inter, but I would go if one day it was possible to play for one of those three clubs.
But the first thing I want is to renew my contract with Inter, and I want to continue after two years of great things with the team. I'm talking not just about myself, but also About Lautaro, Barrera, Bastoni, Shkrinjar and all the players who grew up with me. But in the end the contract extension did not come to fruition, and then I said to myself: if there is no renewal, there is only one team I can imagine, and that is Chelsea. I didn't consider going to Chelsea until the offer arrived, I went to find Inzaghi and we talked, he was nice to me, he and his team were real men. But not renewing it really bothered me and it hurt me.
Isn't going to Chelsea for the sake of money?
Lukaku: No, it's a question of moments, trust and challenge, I haven't won in eight years in England, it bothers me and now the opportunity to go back to the team I've supported since I was a kid is hard to say down.
In another time and space, maybe nothing will happen.
Lukaku: Conte is gone, Ashraf is gone, and there are rumors about the club being in trouble, even if I didn't say anything. I have always had a good relationship with the club, the fans and Mr. Inzaghi. I haven't worked with Mr. Inzaghi for a long time, but I'm a top performer, both in terms of relationships and professionalism.
When you leave, did you know that Inter would still be moving forward?
Lukaku: I know, because last year's experience has helped the team a lot, winning the Serie A title has allowed the team to take a big step in mentality. Inzaghi is highly tactical and his team always scores a lot. I know he's going to take the team a step further, Inter aren't playing like they used to, now we're scoring more goals, a lot of players are scoring goals. Charkhanoglu did a great job and I'm happy for him. The team is now the way to control the game.
Are Inter better than last year?
Lukaku: I don't like comparisons, and now we can honestly say that Inter played very well and were number one in the table. I swear to God, I want the team to win, this Inter has players that I have always liked, thanks to them, I am this Romeu Lukaku today and I really hope they continue to win and keep growing. Inter have to be a top team and hopefully they can continue to win after a short break, but you never know what's going to happen in football.
Do you miss Lautaro?
Lukaku: Yeah, because Lautaro is someone I don't need to talk to much about, and I can die on the pitch for him. Take him to Chelsea? No, just stay at Inter and I'll be back.
From the first day I met Lautaro, I knew we were going to do something great. For me, his way of playing is the best and every time I get the ball I know I have someone who can kill all opponents. I dribbled three or four people and I knew he was going to be in front of the goal. Speaking Spanish also helped us, we scored a lot of goals and won a lot of games, which is the most important thing. Lautaro is the best of my teammates. Who are the top three? Lautaro, De Bruyne and Hazard.
What about Conte?
Lukaku: We talked a lot, not just about football. His departure hurt me, I was in Dubai and he messaged me that he was leaving. It was one of the most difficult moments for me, and the words he left behind probably wouldn't change anything. Inzaghi has been successful at Lazio and I know he will be at Inter as well, but it's all because Conte is gone and if he renews his contract then we will be in Milan, not London.
Conte will continue to do what he does in Serie A at Tottenham, he knows Chelsea are strong, having him as an opponent gives me more motivation and it will feel good to beat the guy who gave you everything. I've never won against Conte and it's a challenge for me. What Conte helped me was that he mentally helped me not to give up and to stay the course.
The secret to being with you is to give you attention and stimulate you?
Lukaku: Yeah, everybody understands just one thing, they did everything they could to provoke me, especially Barrera, then Handa and Brozovic, and so did Sensi. After being stimulated on the field, there is always an effect.
What is a quarrel with Ibrahimovic?
Lukaku: That's it, you look for me, I'll come.
Let's talk about Erikson
Lukaku: It was a very difficult time for me. Honestly, I spent more time with that team than with my family. These players are my brothers for the rest of my life.
I was hurt after Erickson's accident, and Erikson's room was right next door to me, where I used to play.
I just want him to get back to normal, both on and off the field. I don't have a lot of words, but Erikson really tried hard to learn Italian. In the end the coach found his way of playing with Brozovic, which is very important for the team. Eriksen and the whole team are doing well, and we've seen him grow together. Even after the European Championships, I had a few days of insomnia over it. You will understand that there are more important things than football.
What if Juve and Milan are interested in you?
Lukaku: Always always and never. Juve tried but when I learned that Conte would coach Inter, I was angry with my agent and I didn't want to talk to Juve because in Italy only Inter was right for me.
We talked to Juve before, but we hadn't received an offer from Inter yet, but after Conte's news in April, I knew it was possible to go to Inter. I waited until the end for Zhang Kangyang to give an offer, and I told Manchester United "I don't want Juventus", even in the case of a better offer. It's clear now that I'm going to come back to Italy and either play for Inter or I'll go back to Anderlecht.
Message to Inter fans
Lukaku: First of all, I want to apologize to the Inter fans, the way I left should be another way. I have to talk to the fans first, because what you did for me, for my family, for my mother, for my son will be remembered for a lifetime. I want to go back to Inter, not at the end of my career, but at a stage where I'm still at a good level and I want to win more at Inter. It's my dream and I want you to understand why I came to Chelsea, it's for the challenge I want.
Thanks to the respect and love of the Italian fans, playing in Serie A has always been my dream and it has come true. Hopefully we'll see each other again in a few years, with peace and love.