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WATCH: Lukaku apologises to fans and club following controversial interview

Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku has apologised to fans for his controversial interview where he said he w...



WATCH: Lukaku apologises to fa...
Soccer

WATCH: Lukaku apologises to fans and club following controversial interview

Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku has apologised to fans for his controversial interview where he said he wasn't happy at Stamford Bridge.

He also said in the interview with Sky Italia, which was recorded at the start of December, that he would like to return to Inter Milan in the future.

Manager Thomas Tuchel says the  Lukaku has since returned to training after apologising during 'clear the air' talks.

He wasn't in the matchday squad for their 2-2 Premier League draw with Liverpool on Sunday.

He is expected to feature in the first-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham on Wednesday night.

Speaking to the club's website, the 28-year-old has apologised to the fans, manager and everyone at the club.

"To the fans I'm sorry for the upset that I've caused.

"You guys know the connection I have with this club since my teenage years, so I totally understand you guys being upset.

"Obviously it's up to me now to restore your trust, and I'll do my best every day to show commitment on the training ground and in games to make sure we win games.

"And also to the manager, my team-mates and the board, I apologise, because I think it was not the right moment, also.

"I want to move forward from this and make sure that we start winning football games and make sure that I start performing for the team in the best manner."

Lukaku says the interview was only ever intended to be a respectful goodbye to Inter fans - but upon reflection he realises how his comments may have been interpreted incorrectly.

"I think I should have been much clearer in my message to be honest.

"Because the interview was about saying goodbye to the Inter fans, it was not about trying to disrespect the [Chelsea] fans, the football club, the owner, my team-mates, the technical staff.

"Because they made a lot of efforts for me to come back here and I wanted to come back here.

"I was on a mission to come back since I left, so I totally understand the frustrations of the fans.

"But now it's on me to make sure my commitment is at 100 per cent and I will do that in every game.

"My club was Chelsea, everybody knows that from being 10 or 11 years old I said I wanted to play for Chelsea. There were clearly images when I came on my school trip that I said I wanted to play for Chelsea.

"So for me I came here when I was 18 it didn't go so well. Now I'm back at 28 in the prime years of my career - I can't really mess this up."

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Apology Chelsea Interview Romelu Lukaku