Former Italy star Antonio Cassano has aimed a brutal dig at Romelu Lukaku in a recent interview, as he made his feelings clear on rumours linking the Belgian to Barcelona.
Lukaku's career has taken quite the turn since his sensation £97.5 million switch from Inter Milan to Chelsea last summer.
It was supposed to be the second coming of a reinvigorated, dangerous goal-machine, but instead Chelsea seemed to have signed a shadow of the monster that was gobbling up Serie A defenders for fun last season.
The Belgium international racked up an impressive 30 goals in 44 appearances in the 2020/2021 season, so the hype surrounding his return was justified.
However, things just seem to have crumbled around him since he set foot on English soil - with his one impressive moment coming in his debut game against Arsenal when he bagged a brace.
Unsurprisingly, as Lukaku twiddles his thumbs on Thomas Tuchel's bench near enough every week, suggestions that he could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge have been gathering momentum - with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona being identified as potential destinations.
Something which Cassano finds totally absurd...
Speaking on BoboTV, the former Roma, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Sampdoria star said: "I’m in love with Barca’s philosophy, but if they sign Lukaku I won’t watch a game anymore.
"He can’t play three passes with Chelsea where he has no competition, at Barcelona they play 55 passes before going for goal, how could he do it?"
LUTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Luton Town and Chelsea at Kenilworth Road on March 02, 2022 in Luton, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Lukaku has managed just five Premier League goals in 23 appearances for the Blues, so it's not like has goal scoring form on his side either.
Tuchel in a recent interview suggested that fitness concerns could be related to the problem.
The German manager said: "After a period of injury, he lacks the stiffness and fitness for matches. I don’t point the finger on him. It’s just a fact, it’s not even his fault.
“It is just like this and in the crucial time of the season where you need a certain rhythm.
“If he starts we need him physically. Maybe he cannot play 90 minutes, maybe to put it all out there for 60 minutes.”