ROMELU LUKAKU feared he would “explode” in the summer during his bitter departure from Chelsea.
The striker spent weeks in limbo after his loan at Inter Milan came to an end and he had no future at Stamford Bridge under new boss Mauricio Pochettino.
GettyRomelu Lukaku has opened up about his departure from Chelsea[/caption]
Lukaku is now with Roma and in sparkling form with seven goals in eight games and there are plans for a permanent deal at the end of the season.
But speaking ahead of Belgium’s clash with Austria, he said: “Most people in this room know me. You know that I don’t like to beat around the bush.
“I will speak when the time is right, but if I told you how things really went last summer, everyone would be shocked.
“There were moments when I felt like I could explode and five years ago I probably would’ve done.
“Now I am concentrating only on what I can do best, which is playing football. I worked hard all summer.
“I was a bit uncomfortable after the Champions League final but my mind was troubled because of what happened in the days leading up to it. I will talk about that later.”
Lukaku cost Chelsea a then club-record £97.5million two years ago but will likely be offloaded for around £40m next summer.
He was never settled back in London and upset then Blues boss Thomas Tuchel by giving an unauthorised interview about his frustrations with tactics.
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He is reunited with former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho in the Italian capital.
Lukaku said: “As I have said in the past, the coach and I have a special relationship.
“He knows my family, he knows my children. He is someone I trust, as he has in me. He is also tough, as other coaches have been in the past, but it’s the only way I can grow as a player.’
Lukaku, 30, revealed he was one of a number of leading stars targeted by the Saudi Pro League in the summer.
Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and a list of vastly experienced players are enjoying massive paydays in the Arabian desert.
Lukaku said: “I was honoured by their interest, but after the conversations we had, I was not completely convinced.
“The league will become one of the biggest in the world, but I didn’t want to leave Europe yet.
“I knew full well what was going to happen this summer and there were a few clubs I certainly would not go to.
“Ultimately, you have to consider what happened in recent years on a football and personal level, which is why I made my choice.
“I don’t like to talk too much off the field, but sometimes it’s good to tell people what really happened and what didn’t.
“I will one day but not now because I want to keep the focus on my football.
“When I say things, they are taken out of context and I don’t want that right now.”
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