Romelo Lukaku is the latest prey to Chelsea's no.9 curse, as his transfer to Inter Milan confirmed

When he was a young man just starting the game, the Blues didn't consider the Belgian international good enough to play for them in 2011.

He arrived from Anderlecht, where he scored 33 goals over 73 games. However, he failed to score in his ten appearances for Chelsea.

He didn't make the bench most of the time, so he was loaned to West Brom. There he gained confidence and showed that he is a formidable striker by scoring 17 goals in 35 matches - this was all for a side struggling.

However, Chelsea sent him to another team, yet again. But, this time, it was Everton.

In total, he played 110 games for Everton, scoring 53 goals. However, a Manchester United offer was too good to refuse for Everton at 27. 

In 68 appearances for the Red Devils, he scored 28 goals, but by then, he was carrying a lot of extra baggage and beginning to fade. 

His first touch consistently let him down, and his explosive pace had ceased. His next stop was Inter Milan in Serie A, as Old Trafford decided to cash in while they could.

Lukaku cherished playing in the Italian league because of its reputation for being slower-paced. He was given new life as a result, and in 72 games, he scored 47 goals to lead Inter Milan to the championship. Finally, he had disproven his detractors, and business was picking up again.

The only team he was going to join from there was Chelsea. However, he had unfinished business there, so the London club re-signed him for a staggering £97.5 million, shattering their previous transfer record.

Romelu Lukaku, a £97.5 million signing, accepted the no. 9 with joy even though big things were expected of him.

The Belgian forward, however, failed at Stamford Bridge, succumbing to the no. 9 curse, just like his predecessors before him. He scored just 15 goals in 44 games across all competitions.

Although there is no commitment to buy, Lukaku was relieved of his Stamford Bridge agony and sent to Inter Milan on loan in a £7 million deal.

What is Chelsea's no.9 curse?

One of the most sought-after jerseys at the club is typically thought to be the one with the number nine on it. The club's central striker usually receives the number nine jersey.

The number nine has become recognisable thanks to the great players who have worn it, including Robert Lewandowski, Brazil's Ronaldo, John Cruyff, Bobby Charlton, and Alfredo Di Stefano.

The number nine jersey, however, is thought to be a cursed one for Chelsea.

Players who have worn the number nine shirt have not exactly flourished at the club since 2006, when Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz joined the team and donned the number nine shirt.

Even though they were once the most expensive footballers in England, Fernando Torres and Boulahrouz could not live up to expectations.

Alvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuain, and Tammy Abraham all donned the number nine jersey in later years, but none of them could win over fans.

Romelu Lukaku is now the victim of the curse of the shirt.