Romelu Lukaku once said he'd 'run through brick walls' for Jose Mourinho

'He is a big guy, physically so strong, but there is also a kid inside who needs that love, needs that support, needs to feel important.'

So said Jose Mourinho about Romelu Lukaku in a newspaper interview last year and as they prepare to work together for the third time, Lukaku is a footballer very much in need of some love.

He is thoroughly unwanted at Chelsea, where he has been training with the Under 21 side and never featured in Mauricio Pochettino's plans.

The Belgian forward arrived in Rome on Tuesday night, where he was given a hero's welcome by fans in the Italian capital ahead of a loan switch from the Blues.

Inter Milan had shown interest in making the Belgian striker's loan permanent at the beginning of the summer but Chelsea, who paid a club record £97.5million for him just two years ago, sought more than the £26m being offered.

Inter's enthusiasm evaporated when they learned Lukaku was considering a move to fierce rivals Juventus but the Turin club's efforts to include Dusan Vlahovic in a part-exchange never moved Chelsea.

Juve's fans made it very plain that Lukaku would not be welcome, storming their own pitch at the Allianz Stadium to protest against the potential signing.

And given Lukaku wasn't enthusiastic about the Saudi Pro League at the age of 30, there looked a very real chance the transfer deadline would pass and he'd be left redundant.

Enter Mourinho, the one coach who did want Lukaku. Roma's owner, the Friedkin family, were very much on board and have worked energetically to get the deal done.

Lukaku will join Roma on loan initially, taking a pay cut in the process, with the possibility of a permanent transfer if the proves the right fit. The loan fee to Chelsea is just over £5m and Roma will cover the