Romelu Lukaku is a familiar face to Premier League fans, but the striker, who has returned to Chelsea for around $134 million, is no longer the player who left England two years ago, by his own admission.

"Italy has taken me to another level," Lukaku said in May. "I've never been this strong before. I've reached a different level, both physically and mentally."

The Belgian striker reached the peak of his level in two years with Inter Milan after his departure from Manchester United, and led the team to the Italian league title for the first time in 11 years last season.

In Italy, he became one of the leading scorers in Europe, and also developed his potential as a goal maker and leader.

Antonio Conte insisted on signing Lukaku when he took charge of Inter coaching in 2019, and the player arrived in a record deal for the club estimated at about 100 million dollars.

Lukaku told Sky Sports in April, "We talked about the Premier League and that it is the strongest physically, but our training is unmatched. We are in the best physical condition."

The player changed his eating habits, became thinner and immediately made his mark by scoring 10 goals in his first 13 Serie A matches to equal Stefan Niers' record, which has held for 71 years as the best start for a new player with Inter.

However, he did not guarantee his place in the squad.

Lukaku said in previous statements, "Conte told me strictly: If you do not work hard in training, you will not play, it is important to learn how to play with your back to the goal."

"It is important that you meet the people who tell you the truth to help you develop," he added.

At the end of the 2019-2020 season, Lukaku equaled the Brazilian Ronaldo's record of 34 goals in his first season with Inter in all competitions, and led the team to second place in the league and reaching the European League final.

born again

The second season, Lukaku's partnership with Argentine Lautaro Martinez paid off, as Inter won the league title.

The 28-year-old scored 24 goals in the league, and was named the best player in the tournament, but the most notable development was his 10 goals, and only Ruslan Malinovsky of Atlanta surpassed him.

"I remember that many people did not accept the contract with Lukaku and said that his potential was exaggerated. I always said that he came with great potential and if he worked hard in training, he would achieve exceptional things. Lukaku has developed exceptionally and can do more."

"He doesn't just depend on his physical strength," said former Inter striker Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. "Lukaku has a skill that he didn't show much at Manchester. We feel he's been born again at Inter."

Inter will sorely miss their striker, who has reached his peak in Italy, and will return to England with the confidence to find his place among the elite.

"I took a big step forward," Lukaku said during Euro 2020. "We used to talk about (Robert) Lewandowski, (Karim) Benzema and (Harry) Kane and they are the best strikers in the world."

"Now I am among the best strikers in the world. That was my personal goal."