In a recent interview, John Obi Mikel explained why Romelu Lukaku, the Chelsea 2021 record signing, has struggled to replicate his stellar form at Inter Milan since his return to Stamford Bridge last year.
After a promising start to the 2021/22 season, the 29-year-old Belgian striker rejoined the Blues for a club record £97.5 million fee in August last year, but failed to light up the Premier League.
Lukaku only scored eight goals in the Premier League this season and appeared to be out of place in Thomas Tuchel’s system.
Lukaku, a Belgian international, is reportedly looking for a way out of Chelsea, with Inter being his preferred destination.
With his current £325,000-a-week wages at Chelsea, however, the Italian club’s potential move to bring him back will be more complicated than usual.
There has also been a lot of talk among Blues fans who have lost faith in the Belgian, who has struggled to adjust to life in the Premier League since his return.
John Obi Mikel, a former Chelsea midfielder and Nigerian international, has revealed why the Belgian has struggled since his return to the club.
The 35-year-old veteran gave his honest assessment of the situation with the Blues forward in a recent interview with Naija FM.
‘The English league is totally different, too strong, too powerful. Italian league is too slow. The pace of English football is way too much for Italian league.’ Mikel said.
Lukaku may not be new to the excitement of English football, having previously played for West Bromwich Albion, Everton, and Manchester United before moving to Italy, but he has looked off the pace since his return, struggling to influence games for Thomas Tuchel’s Blues.
Mikel is no stranger to the Premier League’s fast-paced and physically demanding nature.
The former Super Eagles captain spent an incredible 11 years at Stamford Bridge, making him the club’s all-time longest-serving Nigerian player.
Mikel won two Premier League titles (2010 and 2015), three Emirates FA Cup titles (2007, 2009, and 2012), a Carabao Cup tophy, the FA Community shield, the UEFA Champions League (2012), and the Europa League the following year during his time at Chelsea.
Mikel Obi is widely considered to be one of Nigeria’s most successful footballers of his generation.
