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Romelu Lukaku set to stay with Chelsea after apology to fans

By Adam Stites | Last updated Jan 4, 2022 7:25 PM ET

Romelu Lukaku is set to stay with Chelsea after a private conversation with coach Thomas Tuchel and a public apology to fans for his previous criticisms of the club.

“To the fans I’m sorry for the upset that I caused,” Lukaku said in a video released on Twitter. “You guys know the connection that I have with this club, since my teenage years, so you know, I totally understand you guys being upset. Obviously it’s up to me now to restore your trust and I’ll do my best to show commitment every day on the training ground to make sure that we win games."

A message from Romelu.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 4, 2022

Lukaku, 28, was scratched from Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday due to the "noise" caused by an unsanctioned interview the striker gave to Sky Italy.

"I think the coach has chosen to play with another system, I just have to not give up and continue to work and be a professional," Lukaku said in the interview. "I am not happy with the situation, but I am a worker and I must not give up."

He later said he hopes to eventually return to Inter Milan while he's "at a still good level to hopefully win more."

Lukaku first joined Chelsea in 2011, but played sparingly and was loaned to West Bromwich Albion and Everton. He later joined Manchester United and then Inter Milan in 2019 where he made 72 appearances before re-joining Chelsea in August 2021.

Adam Stites

Adam Stites is a Southern California native who lives in a new state every three months. He’s perennially disappointed by both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona State Sun Devils. His dog is named Ramsey after the best cornerback in the NFL

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