Chelsea reportedly went to great lengths to push Romelu Lukaku out of the club before his permanent move to Napoli last summer, following a turbulent second spell at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgian striker, signed for £97.5 million in 2021, quickly fell out of favour after a controversial interview, where he openly admitted to being unhappy at the club. This led to his exclusion from the first-team setup, followed by two consecutive loan spells, before Chelsea eventually sold him for £38 million.

According to reports, Chelsea took severe measures during Lukaku’s final months, grouping him with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Hakim Ziyech and forcing them to change in the youth team dressing room.

The club also limited his transfer options, reportedly delaying negotiations until the last moment while using media influence to shape the narrative around his exit. This left Lukaku with few alternatives before he eventually secured a Napoli move.

Since his departure, Lukaku has proven his quality once again, scoring nine goals and providing eight assists in 27 appearances for Napoli. His form suggests he still has plenty to offer at the highest level, even after a difficult end to his Chelsea career.

While Chelsea have moved on from the Lukaku era, his exit remains a stark reminder of how brutal football business can be, especially when a club is desperate to cut ties with a high-profile player.