In a candid and revealing interview, Romelu Lukaku has lifted the lid on his tumultuous second spell at Chelsea, accusing the club of mistreatment and manipulation.

The Belgian striker, who now plays for Napoli, did not hold back as he detailed the harsh realities he faced during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Lukaku, who rejoined Chelsea from Inter Milan for a staggering £98 million in the summer of 2021, found himself frozen out of the first team in 2023.

Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, he revealed that he, along with teammates Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Hakim Ziyech, were relegated to changing in the youth team’s locker room.

“They made us change in the youth team’s locker room. We waited for weeks, turning down numerous options,” Lukaku said. “The club says they don’t want you anymore and decides when and often where you’ll end up. But if you want to leave, even for serious reasons, you don’t have the option. They drag it out until the last moment, they wear you down.”

The striker’s frustration was palpable as he recounted how Chelsea controlled the narrative in the media, painting him in a negative light.

“Clubs have relationships with the media, and it doesn’t take much to put a player in a difficult position or create the wrong image,” Lukaku explained.

“In England, they had the wrong perception. To them, I was lazy. I never reacted to the attacks, to the criticism. I speak very little, I just do my job and then go home to my kids. In Italy, the judgment has flipped 180 degrees. Here, I’m seen as a hard worker”.

Lukaku’s second stint at Chelsea was marred by controversy and disappointment. Despite a promising start, he struggled to find his footing and was eventually loaned out to Inter Milan and AS Roma before securing a permanent move to Napoli last summer for £30 million.

Reflecting on his time at Chelsea, Lukaku expressed his dismay at the club’s handling of his situation.

“One day, I’d like to explain all of this to younger players, who is really working for them and who is working against them,” he said.

Since joining Napoli, Lukaku has rediscovered his form, scoring nine goals in 27 appearances across competitions. His experience at Chelsea serves as a stark reminder of the often harsh and unforgiving nature of professional football.