Chelsea told to ‘get Romelu Lukaku out of the club’ after ‘disrespectful’ reveal – pundit
Noel Whelan has insisted Chelsea should get wantaway striker Romelu Lukaku “off the wage bill” this summer.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed Kai Havertz has supplanted the “disrespectful” 28-year-old in the pecking order.
Lukaku was benched for the third successive Premier League game as Havertz netted the only goal of the game against Newcastle on Sunday (13 March).
According to Calciomercato (12 March), the Belgian hitman is willing to take a pay cut to return to Inter Milan – with the Nerazzurri exploring all options ahead of the summer window.
Lukaku, who cost Chelsea a reported £97.5million last year (2021) has netted just 11 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions this term.
Whelan claimed the former Man United man “hasn’t shown anywhere near enough” for the Blues.
“With the way Havertz is playing – it becomes a very easy decision for Chelsea,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“I think he has proven that he can be the number nine for them. He’s been brilliant and has shown real quality.
“We all know that he’s a different style of player to Lukaku, but I think there’s been too much controversy with Lukaku.
“The interview was just disrespectful, but if that’s what he wants – then get him out of the football club and off the wage bill.
“They can then go out there, start again, and get someone who can give you the right attitude to fight and succeed in England and in Europe.
“The whispers don’t lie. He’s very lucky to still get the applause he does at Stamford Bridge because he hasn’t shown anywhere near enough in a Chelsea shirt.”
In other news, pundit issues “huge” Antonio Rudiger transfer claim after critical development.