Agent Regrets Bringing Lukaku Back to Chelsea

Reflection on Lukaku’s Chelsea Return

Agent Federico Pastorello has expressed his remorse regarding the decision to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Chelsea. Currently with Napoli after a fruitful season at Inter Milan, Lukaku returned to the Blues after initially being signed for the English club.

Despite high expectations, Lukaku struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge before ultimately returning to Serie A.

Pastorello’s Insights

When asked if he would make the same choice to sign Lukaku for Chelsea again, Pastorello shared with AS: “In hindsight, probably not.” He acknowledged that Lukaku had made it to the Ballon d’Or shortlist that year—an unprecedented achievement—and that his transfer was a record for the Italian league.

Factors Affecting Lukaku’s Performance

“It seemed like the right choice at the time. However, human factors play a significant role; no one anticipated Lukaku’s challenges, which were not merely environmental since he was familiar with the club, but rather stemmed from his relationship with the manager. He transitioned from a nearly fatherly bond with (Antonio) Conte, and that change in dynamics impacted him, particularly alongside the injury he dealt with.”

“If not for that, the narrative could have turned out differently.”

Possibility of Signing with Real Madrid

When questioned about a potential move to Real Madrid, Pastorello commented, “Real Madrid is regarded as the best club globally for many reasons. There was a slim possibility, but ultimately they were set on securing a major signing of Mbappé for the next year and opted against spending on a loan.”

Lukaku’s New Chapter with Napoli

Pastorello remarked on Lukaku’s transition to Italy: “He has acclimatized well. When Antonio reached out to him about joining Napoli, he agreed without hesitation. There was no negotiation involved. It was the ideal moment for them to collaborate again, and the outcomes have validated that decision.”