Lukaku claimed Chelsea tried to smear him in the media

In the summer of 2024, Romelu Lukaku permanently left Chelsea after a series of loan spells. The Belgian doesn't recall this period fondly.

Details: According to the Belgian, during his time with the London club, he was forced to change in the youth team's locker room, and the "Pensioners" intended to smear him in the media.

Quote: "I wasn't alone at Chelsea. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Hakim Ziyech were also out of the project. They made us change in the youth locker room. It's business, the club tells you're no longer needed, and often also tells you where you'll end up. But if you want to leave, even for serious reasons, you have no opportunity. They drag it out until the last moment, they exhaust you.

Clubs have connections with the press, and it doesn't take much to put a player in a difficult position or create a false image. Believe me, I've seen things I never even suspected. One day, I would like to explain all this to young players, who really works for them and who works against them," Lukaku said in an interview with Corriere dello Sport.

Reminder: It was previously reported that Manchester United's leader Kobbie Mainoo agreed to move to Chelsea, but only under one condition.