A transfer to Chelsea? Definitely not, stay in Belgium! Lukaku talked his compatriot out of moving to London

Current Manchester City footballer Jérémy Doku has had the opportunity to move to Chelsea in the past. In the end, however, he chose the reigning Premier League champion, as his compatriot Romelu Lukaku talked him out of a transfer to London.

A great talent of Belgian football. At least, that’s how they talk about the player who, after three seasons at French club Stade Rennes, has headed to Manchester City. For 60 million euros.

Jérémy Doku joined the reigning Premier League champions in August this year. However, he has only appeared in one game in the current season of the English top flight.

That was against Fulham, when he played 76 minutes. He hasn’t registered a single goal or an assist so far. But his time is very likely to come. Last season in Ligue 1, he played 29 games, in which he recorded a 6+2 record.

However, Doku, like his compatriot Romelu Lukaku, had the opportunity to move from Anderlecht to Chelsea in his youth.

The manager of the academy of the famous Belgian club, Jean Kindermans, revealed that the now twenty-one-year-old right winger could have moved to London at the age of fifteen.

A transfer to Chelsea? No, stay at Anderlecht

However, it was Lukaku who talked him out of a potential transfer at the time, and as Football Italia reports, it was via a video call.

In fact, the AS Roma striker advised the Belgian talent based on his own experience. Lukaku transferred to Chelsea at the age of 18, but failed to start his career there. This was followed by guest spells at West Bromwich, Everton.

In July 2014, he finally moved to the Toffees, where he fared much better. His qualities then earned him transfers to Manchester United or Inter Milan. In August 2021, he returned to Chelsea for €113 million, but again a loan spell followed.

Lukaku then rejoined Inter. After last season, he understandably had to return to Chelsea, and although he initially wanted to extend his stay in Milan, he eventually moved to Rome. Next year, however, he must return to England again.

Source: Football Italia, Transfermarkt