Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has made a shock admission about his role at the club of late, with his remarks aimed directly at manager Thomas Tuchel.
The 28-year-old joined the European champions from Inter Milan back in August for a club record fee of £97.5 million (R2 billion), per Sky Sports.
Things have not gone according to plan for the striker since, though, with Lukaku having managed to score only seven times in 18 appearances so far in this campaign, during which he also suffered an eight-game goal drought and spells on the sidelines due to COVID and an ankle sprain.
Scroll through the gallery above to see Chelsea's five leading goalscorers across all competitions so far this season
The Belgium centre-forward, who started and scored in the Blues' 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday, has admitted he is not happy with his role in the German boss' new system.
"Physically, I am fine. But I'm not happy with the situation at Chelsea," Lukaku said in an interview with Sky Italy that was released on Thursday night.
"Tuchel has chosen to play with another system. I won't give up, I'll be professional.
"I am not happy with the situation but I am professional – and I can't give up now."
Read: Chelsea star 'agrees' to join Barca
The former Inter forward also expressed his desire to return to the Serie A champions at some point, revealing that he is disappointed with the manner of his departure earlier this year.
"I think everything that happened last summer was not supposed to happen like this... how I left Inter, the way I left the club, how I communicated with Inter fans – this bothers me because it was not the right time," Lukaku added.
"Now it's the right time to share my feelings. I have always said that I have Inter in my heart: I know I will return to Inter, I really hope so.
"I am in love with Italy, this is right moment to talk and let people know what really happened.
"I really hope from bottom of my heart to return to Inter not at the end of my career, but when I'm still at top level to win more together.
"I want apologise to the Inter fans, the timing of my words was wrong: what you did for me will remain forever."
Here are the most valuable footballers in the world today, including Lukaku, per Transfermarkt
