‘Stand up and show courage’: Former Chelsea star fires want-away striker Romelu Lukaku warning

Former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson feels it might be in the best interests for everyone for striker Romelu Lukaku to leave the club, after a disappointing return to Stamford Bridge.

The Chelsea man was bought for a record £97.5million last summer from Inter Milan, and he was expected to power the Blues to the league title and provide the goals that would define their season.

However in 26 league games the Belgian ace hit just eight goals.

He was also often left out for the big games for a number of issues, including disciplinary problems after conducting a bombshell interview with Sky Italy that was not sanctioned by the club.

There were just games when he did not look sharp and Kai Havertz and Timo Werner were preferred him.

The striker has been linked with a return to Inter Milan where he still owns a house and enjoyed his best period as a player.

He formed a lethal partnership with Lautaro Martínez and together they helped Inter to their first league title since 2010 under now Tottenham manager Antonio Conte.

Chelsea are considering Inter’s interest and reports are that manager Thomas Tuchel will have the final say if the deal would be sanctioned.

But former Chelsea and Liverpool defender Glen Johnson says it is best for everyone if the Belgian striker left Stamford Bridge.

The former England defender told BettingOdds: “Personally, I would have had a desire to take one more season and prove myself.

“But I sit with the feeling that Lukaku has had a whole season to show his courage. And he has not shown it. I do not see in my mind that anything should change next season.

“If he was the type of player who could stand up and show courage next season, then I think we would have already seen indications of this, it sounds.

“I could well imagine that he was going somewhere else. For if he had the courage to strike back during the pre-season, then he would have already had the courage to strike back during his first season.

“I do not see in my mind that he should be able to strike back next season. So maybe a switch is best for all parties.”

The Blues have already lost defender Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid and there are growing reports that Andreas Christensen will leave for Barcelona later in the summer.