Express
Romelu Lukaku will reportedly miss Saturday’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace after delays to his £97.5m mega-money move from Inter Milan. The Blues saw an offer accepted for the Belgian last Saturday but the transfer has faced several small roadblocks with the Blues still yet to confirm the signing of the 28-year-old.
Last weekend, there was optimism that Lukaku would be back in west London in time to face Villarreal in the Super Cup.
Chelsea were prepared to include Lukaku as part of their squad for the trip to Belfast, where they lifted another trophy last night after victory on penalties.
Yet as the Blues prepared to take to the field, Lukaku was only just touching down in London to put the finishing touches on his transfer.
The striker flew from Italy to Nice earlier in the week to extend his contract with agent Federico Pastorello in Monaco.
Lukaku then jetted into Biggin Hill Airport where he was pictured last night.
According to The Athletic, Lukaku has now been ruled out of the running for Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Palace on Saturday (3pm).
He’s expected to quarantine until Monday, when he will then be free to train with his new team mates.
That means Lukaku will now be expected to make his debut next weekend (Sunday August 22) when Chelsea travel to Arsenal.
The centre-forward does not have the best record against the Gunners, netting just three times in 17 appearan…
