Manchester United Star Instantly Regretted Chelsea Switch – Two Years After Premier League Record Transfer
In the world of elite football, transfers between rival Premier League clubs are always met with intense scrutiny, debate, and emotional reactions. But few moves have aged more controversially than the high-profile switch made by a former Manchester United star who now reportedly instantly regretted his decision to join Chelsea — just two years after completing what was, at the time, a Premier League record transfer.
The player in question? Romelu Lukaku, whose £97.5 million return to Chelsea in the summer of 2021 was meant to signal a new era of dominance at Stamford Bridge. For Lukaku, it was supposed to be the homecoming of dreams — redemption in a blue shirt after previously being let go by the club in 2014. However, fast forward to 2023, and the Belgian striker’s time at Chelsea has become a textbook case of buyer’s remorse, cultural mismatch, and lost momentum.
The Rise at Manchester United
Lukaku joined Manchester United in July 2017 from Everton for a fee of £75 million, rising to £90 million with add-ons — then one of the biggest transfers in English football history. He was brought in by then-manager José Mourinho as the Red Devils’ marquee striker. During his first season at Old Trafford, Lukaku scored 27 goals across all competitions and seemed well on his way to establishing himself as a long-term No. 9 for the club.
Despite some inconsistencies and growing criticism of his first touch and fitness, Lukaku remained a key contributor. However, under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, the tactical approach shifted toward a faster, more mobile frontline — making the traditional centre-forward less central. By the summer of 2019, Lukaku was sold to Inter Milan for £73 million.
Rebirth at Inter Milan
In Italy, Lukaku rediscovered his form in spectacular fashion. Under Antonio Conte at Inter Milan, he became the focal point of a dynamic attacking system and formed a lethal partnership with Lautaro Martínez. Over two seasons, he scored 64 goals in 95 appearances, led Inter to the Serie A title in 2021, and was widely regarded as one of the top strikers in world football.
Chelsea — desperate for a proven goal-scorer — came calling in the summer of 2021. With Timo Werner struggling to find the net consistently, the Blues triggered a Premier League record fee of £97.5 million to bring Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge.
But what was hailed as the final piece in Chelsea’s attacking puzzle soon became an expensive miscalculation.
A Return That Never Worked
Despite scoring on his second debut against Arsenal, Lukaku’s time at Chelsea quickly descended into frustration. The system under then-manager Thomas Tuchel appeared tactically incompatible with his style. The pressing demands, lack of vertical service, and wide-forward-centric play left Lukaku isolated and ineffective in many matches.
The most damning moment came when Lukaku himself admitted in a now-infamous December 2021 interview with Sky Italia that he was unhappy at Chelsea and “never wanted to leave Inter Milan.” He expressed regret over the timing of his transfer and suggested he would return to the Nerazzurri one day — comments that blindsided the Chelsea board, upset fans, and led to him being dropped from the squad temporarily.
From that point forward, the relationship between Lukaku and Chelsea was never the same. He finished the season with just 15 goals in 44 appearances, far from the expectations placed on a £100 million forward.
Regret Sets In
Sources close to Lukaku have since revealed that the striker regretted the Chelsea switch almost instantly, particularly due to the tactical inflexibility and the intense pressure of the London spotlight. While he maintained professionalism on the pitch, he privately confided in former teammates and Inter staff that the move felt like a “step backward” in terms of system fit and personal fulfillment.
By summer 2022, Lukaku had forced a return to Inter Milan on loan, a move that marked one of the most rapid and expensive transfer U-turns in recent memory. It was clear: the dream reunion with Chelsea had become a nightmare — and the player longed for the appreciation and role he enjoyed in Italy.
A Cautionary Tale in Football Business
Two years after the headline-grabbing switch, Lukaku’s Chelsea move is now viewed as a cautionary tale about football transfers driven by short-term needs, emotional sentiment, and branding hype rather than tactical compatibility. The move not only cost Chelsea financially, but also disrupted the player’s career trajectory and undermined squad cohesion.
Lukaku remains a divisive figure among both Chelsea and Manchester United fans. While some United supporters view his exit as justified given the team’s evolution, others point to his subsequent success at Inter as proof that the club failed to unlock his full potential.
What’s Next for Lukaku?
As of the 2025 summer window, Lukaku’s future remains uncertain. After mixed stints at Roma and Inter and rumors of interest from Saudi clubs and Turkish giants, he remains a valuable — if somewhat itinerant — talent.
What is beyond doubt, however, is that the Chelsea move did not work out, and Lukaku himself now views the switch with regret, frustration, and what-ifs.
Football is a game of timing, and in Lukaku’s case, the timing was painfully off.
From Old Trafford to San Siro to Stamford Bridge and back again, the journey of one of football’s most physically gifted forwards is proof that even the biggest names and biggest fees can’t guarantee the right fit.
For Lukaku, the lesson may be as clear as it is bittersweet: sometimes, going back is not always going forward.
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