Lukaku and Chelsea: Five Reasons Reunion Next Season Make Sense for Both Parties

• Romelu Lukaku is set to return to Chelsea at the end of the season, but is unlikely to stay
• Mauricio Pochettino is an admirer of the Belgian forward and sees him as an ideal number 9
• Discussions over Lukaku's future will be held on his return after the Champions League final

Inter Milan have confirmed striker, Romelu Lukaku will return to Chelsea at the end of the summer, though the possibility of a return is not ruled out.

The forward re-joined Inter Milan on loan at the beginning of the season, despite leaving Italy for London for a second spell in the summer of 2021.

He fell out with then-manager, Thomas Tuchel, which forced him to leave, with the German having since left Chelsea to join Bayern Munich.

Mauricio Pochettino will be the club's fourth manager since his departure. The Argentine is an admirer of the Belgian and will apparently want to convince him to stay at Chelsea.

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Sports Brief looks at five reasons why a reunion of the two makes sense.

1. Chelsea need a number 9

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will leave the club in the summer after just a year. Young striker, Armando Broja is returning from a long spell, while David Fofana could be out on loan.

The former Manchester United striker could ease the burden of searching for a new striker by returning to Stamford Bridge, where he would be guaranteed a starting berth.

2. FFP regulations

After spending over £600 million in two windows, Chelsea are among the clubs being watched by UEFA over compliance with financial fair play regulations, according to Daily Express.

The strikers linked to Chelsea are in the region of £100 mil, and the club cannot recoup such for Lukaku; both should sort out their differences and work together.

3. Pochettino is a Lukaku admirer

The trust of a manager is pivotal to the success of any player at the club. While Pochettino is yet to take over at Chelsea officially, The Telegraph reports he is a big fan of the Belgian and could convince him to stay.

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4. Poch and a new-look Chelsea

Every stakeholder involved in transferring the former Everton striker to Chelsea in 2021 for £97.5 mil has departed the club - including Marina Granovskaia and Petr Cech.

Three managers have come after Tuchel, and Poch will be the fourth. This creates a new environment in which Lukaku can try and build a new reputation at Stamford Bridge.

5. Lukaku has point to prove

Lukaku had been touted as Didier Drogba’s replacement since he first joined Chelsea as an 18-year-old. His return in 2021 was dubbed #LukWhoIsBack and he claimed to have unfinished business.

He has three years left on his contract by the end of this season, and at 30, he could spend the final days of his career in London.

Four priorities for Pochettino

Sports Brief previously highlighted four key priorities for Pochettino to address on his pending assumption of office as the new Chelsea boss next season.

The number 9 role is the most important, as the team struggled to score goals this season. Lukaku’s return could be the solution to this lingering problem solve this problem, giving the club a chance to look at other targets.