19 January 2024 , 09:08
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Roma's decision to sack manager Jose Mourinho earlier this week could have a major knock-on effect for Chelsea.
Mourinho made a number of big transfers during his time at Roma, including a deal to sign striker Romelu Lukaku on loan from Chelsea at the start of this season. The switch was finalised late in the window after moves to Juventus and former club Inter Milan fell through.
Inter were unable to match Chelsea's demands, while the Juventus deal was scuppered after their fans reacted furiously to the news they were trying to sign a player who had starred for their rivals.
As a result, a loan deal with Roma was struck that saw Mourinho reunited with Lukaku for the third time, having previously managed the 30-year-old at both Chelsea and Manchester United. Roma are covering Lukaku's wages for the duration of his time in Italy and the Sun are reporting that they also have an option to buy the forward for £37million.
However, it is claimed the 'agreement is in jeopardy' following Mourinho's sacking, with Roma legend Daniele De Rossi appointed as his replacement on an interim basis. Should they decided not to make Lukaku's loan deal permanent, he will return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season with two years left to run on his contract.
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"We thank Jose on behalf of all of us at AS Roma for the passion and commitment he has shown since his arrival in the Giallorossi," owners Ryan and Dan Friedkin said after the decision was made to sack Mourinho.
"We will always have great memories of his stewardship, but we believe that, in the best interests of the club, immediate change is necessary. We wish Jose and his collaborators the best for the future."
Mourinho's sacking could affect Romelu Lukaku's chances of joining Roma permanently once his loan spell is up (Silvia Lore/Getty Images)"The emotion of being able to sit on our bench is indescribable, everyone knows what Roma is for me, but the work that awaits all of us has already taken over," De Rossi said following his appointment. "We have no time, no choice. Being competitive, fighting for our goals and trying to achieve them are the only priorities that my staff and I have given ourselves."
"We believe that the leadership and ambition that have always characterised him can be decisive in chasing the objectives that the team has ahead of it until end of the season," added the Friedkins.
"We knew the indissoluble bond that unites Daniele to the club, but the enthusiasm with which he immediately accepted this challenge... further convinced us of his ability to be a guide for the players and a proud representative of the values of this club."