At the time, Romelu Lukaku was seen as the final piece of the puzzle Chelsea were building. The Blues had won the Champions League the previous season, but lacked a world class number nine to mount a sustained Premier PINC League title challenge. Lukaku, on the back of an exceptional campaign for Inter, fit the bill, joining Chelsea for £98m.

As we now know, Lukaku failed to make much of an impression in the 2021/21 season and was shipped back to Inter on loan last summer. Chelsea, however, never truly replaced the Belgian and struggled for cutting edge in front of goal last term, scoring 38 goals in 38 Premier League fixtures - relegated Leeds United and Leicester City scored more.

Mauricio Pochettino is now in charge at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea are expected to move for a new centre forward before the start of the 2023/24 season. Lukaku, meanwhile, is still on their books and will return to his parent club this summer. What is the plan for the Belgian striker? What does the future hold for him?

The 2022/23 season was a difficult one for Lukaku as he struggled with injury, but there were still glimpses of his brilliance. His partnership with Lautaro Martinez is one of the best in European soccer and Lukaku remains extremely dangerous in moments of quick transition when he can drive at opponents.

At Chelsea, Lukaku rarely had these transitional moments to shine. Instead, the Blues used him as a focal point to hit with direct balls and crosses into the middle. While Lukaku can be a physical threat, this approach did nothing to bring the best out of him. Thomas Tuchel never fully grasped the Belgian’s profile as a striker.

Pochettino will surely want a look at Lukaku in pre-season training before making a decision on whether or not he will suit his system. The Argentine will want Chelsea to move the ball quicker than Tuchel and that could be of benefit to Lukaku who needs space to work in. Pochettino might see Lukaku as someone he can work with.

If not, though, Lukaku must find another team which will play to his strengths. Inter reportedly want the 30-year-old on another season-long loan, but Chelsea want to sell him permanently. A move to the Saudi Pro League has been mooted, but Lukaku doesn’t appear ready to leave European soccer.

Lukaku is a striker who has scored 251 goals for club and country over the course of his career, but he has lost his way of late. He is too good for the final phase of his career to be so underwhelming. The Belgian should be in his peak right now. With the right transfer this summer, that can still be the case.