SoM Staff Roundtable: Lukaku’s Return

Romelu Lukaku is officially back at Inter Milan. A single season away and the Belgian has returned on a one-year loan, let’s hear some thoughts from the staff on the striker’s return.

Photo by Mattia Pistoia - Inter/Inter via Getty Images

What was your first reaction to the news? How happy are you to see Lukaku back in Inter colors?

David: I still can’t grasp that this is really happening and it’s probaly going to take until Matchday 1 and Lukaku’s first goal back at the San Siro until I do. Putting my surprise at a €113 million transfer returning after less than a year to the side, this is a great move for Inter and I’m pretty dang excited to see the King of Milano back where he belongs. Losing Lukaku back in August felt like the end of Inter’s hopes of a Scudetto dynasty and he had added value as the face of the club and a key force behind the 20/21 title. While the way he left Inter definitely burned some bridges, the Nerazzurri’s desperate lack of a clinical striker once Dzeko declined should ease Lukaku’s return.

Josh: This is pretty simple for me. I was ecstatic. I understand why some supporters were frustrated with how he left. In that specific situation, I try to put myself in his shoes and understand he was on top of the world and wanted to return to where he failed to conquer. That didn’t work out, and now he’s back. Simple as that to me. I cannot wait to see him starting alongside Lautaro again.

Photo by Emilio Andreoli - Inter/Inter via Getty Images

What should we expect from the Belgian this upcoming season? Any worries about how he’ll adapt to Inzaghi’s system?

David: I’m not expecting 100% of the output we saw from Lukaku under Antonio Conte but even just 75% should do the trick to get Inter in the running for some trophies. I’ll say we get around 20 goals and 5 assists from the Belgian and hopefully, we also see Lautaro at his best for long periods of time as well with his strike partner back. My one worry is that this is just a one season loan (and an expensive one at that), so Inter’s long term plan at striker might be a question mark, especially with Gianluca Scamacca reportedly heading to PSG.

Josh: System or not, so long as he’s playing alongside Lautaro there will be success. Our collective dream of Dybala coming to help the pair is not as likely, but Lautaro and Lukaku being back together is enough.

What do you think? Will Lukaku be as much of a success on his second stay in Italy as his first? Let us know in the comments below.