Mauricio Pochettino hints at Lukaku EXIT in first Chelsea press conference

Cameron Smith

• 7 Jul 2023 21:28 BST
• 3 min read

Mauricio Pochettino has hinted that Romelu Lukaku may not be a Chelsea player by the time he is due back at Cobham next week.

Although some stars have already returned to the club’s training base in Surrey, Lukaku’s involvement with Belgium at the end of the season means he has not yet appeared at pre-season training.

Conor Gallagher is another player who has not returned to Cobham ahead of the club’s tour of the USA, due to his role on international duty with England.

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The likes of Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Raheem Sterling and Thiago Silva were all present and involved in training during Pochettino’s first few days in charge.

The rest of the Chelsea squad are expected to report to Cobham next week, with the exception of Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke. The pair are involved in England’s U21 European Championship squad and face Spain in the competition’s final on Saturday 8 July.

Pochettino fielded questions from the media during a press conference held at Stamford Bridge on Friday and was asked about whether Lukaku would be involved in his plans for next season. His reply hinted that Lukaku may not still be a Chelsea player by the time full pre-season training kicks off.

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What has Pochettino said?

Pochettino admitted: “The situation, all of the parts, know what we think. I think in that case he [Lukaku] needs to come back on the 12th or 13th to be in the squad to start pre-season.

"Like all of the players, when they arrive they come to my office to say hello. If he is still a Chelsea player."

Lukaku has garnered plenty of interest from Inter Milan - the club he re-joined Chelsea from and the club he spent last season on loan at - but the Serie A giants are yet to submit a formal approach to the Blues. They are open to another loan move, but Chelsea want to include an obligation to buy clause in the deal, rather than an option to buy.

The Belgian forward has made it clear that he only wants to sign for Inter. He has rejected an offer from Saudi Arabia, while reports suggest that AC Milan have tried to sign him, to no avail.