Welcome back to Chelsea, Romelu. What was it like to return and train with your new
teammates for the first time?
"It was good to be back, obviously. It doesn't feel knew because a lot of the players I knew
from before; I already have relationships with most of them. I am really happy to be
here and it's up to us now to play as a team and keep winning going forward."
How important was it for you to join a team that is really ambitious and can win trophies?
"It's a good feeling. The guys are very hungry and they want to keep winning. I've been training
since yesterday and I could see there was good intensity, the coach is very clear with
his ideas, everyone wants to work hard to keep improving and, most importantly, win.
Those things really fit in with my ambitions. In the end, we all have to prove ourselves
on the pitch."
You said you spoke to
Didier Drogba ahead of the move, what did he say to you?
"He kept it really simple, to be honest. He was really happy with the improvements I've
made in the last couple of seasons but he's always saying there's more work to be done.
That's the right mindset.
"If you really want to achieve the maximum it's all about improving week in, week out.
The last two years has been good for me at club and international level and now I get
the chance to join a team that's hungry and ambitious. I can't wait to help them and add
something new to their playing style."
Are you fit to face Arsenal on Sunday?
"Yeah, I've been training and I've done a full pre-season. So right now I'm just trying
to get my teammates better and I'm available for the manager if he wants to play me."
How do you feel you've developed as a player and a person in the two years you've been
away from the Premier League?
"Maturity has been important. I think I've learned much more about myself, setting higher
standards for myself. As a player, it's been about becoming more complete as the game in
Italy is more different.
"The spaces are tighter, it's more technical and tactical, and that helped me a lot. The
English game is different but for me, it's not something new. So it's a case of getting
back here and adapting to my teammates and whatever game plan the coach has to help the
team."
You come back to England at a time when Covid deaths are on the rise. Have you had the vaccination
and what's your view on it?
"I'm double vaccinated. For me it's different because I have a few family members that are
high risk. I think as a player, it's up to you to make the decision. The only thing we
can do is be careful around the general population because we have a lot of responsibilities.
For me, I did it because my family are high risk."
You said it was your dream to return to Chelsea, what do you dream of achieving here?
"The dream is a reality now so I have to prove myself on the pitch. Now I'm here, it's time
to get to work and let my performances do
the talking."
Everyone is talking about PSG given they've got Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi.
But Chelsea have three potential Ballon d'Or contenders in yourself, Jorginho and N'Golo
Kante. Do you believe you can beat the likes of Neymar, Messi and Mbappe?
"At the end of the day, PSG have a great team. We have a great team but the season has just
started so let us work hard, keep building on what we have, then we can see how far we
can get. We have to look one game at a time."
You said you watched Chelsea quite a bit last season, how do you feel you can link with
the Chelsea attack?
"For me, it is about communication. I am a guy who is very open-minded. I always ask
my teammates questions about what they want, what they expect from me, where I can help
them, where would I like the ball.
"I think the next couple of weeks are very important for me to communicate to the players
around me and to be open with the mindset that we have a certain playing style. For
me, it isn't too much to adapt to because we play the same system in the Belgium national
team.
"That's already a good thing but at the end of the day it is about communicating, knowing
their characteristics and what they like and I will adapt to find a way to help the team."
What are your memories of facing Arsenal in the past and what do you think of this current
version of Arsenal?
"It is difficult to compare. They are a team that's rebuilding. At the end of the day,
I just look at my team and focus on the plan that we have. It is going to be a tough game
but we are preparing ourselves for a battle. We won the first one and we want to keep building
on the result that we had at the weekend."
Are you going to take the No.9 shirt and how excited are you to be back at Chelsea?
"I have got the No.9 and I am very happy and very fortunate to be in the situation.
"In terms of being a leader, Azpi is the captain and has been here for many years and he’s
a great captain. When I was in quarantine he was already messaging me about finding
a house and stuff. It was like I was never gone.
"The relationship is still intact and also with the rest of the boys. Leader? There are
many big personalities in this dressing room. I am a player that likes to connect with everybody
and likes to make everybody feel comfortable around me and give them confidence.
"Those players in the dressing room are worthy of being Chelsea players and they showed it
last season so this dressing room has a lot of personality, which I like. It is good to
be back. As a footballer, you fight to achieve your dreams. I’m here now can’t wait to
be on the pitch and perform with my teammates."