Lukaku has already given the lowdown on Hakimi as a teammate amid Chelsea interest

Romelu Lukaku gave Achraf Hakimi a good reference earlier this year that should spark some intrigue from within the Chelsea camp.

Hakimi is high on the Blues transfer to do list, with one of their bids already batted off by Inter Milan.

But Chelsea will continue to chase the Moroccan international, as they aim to construct Thomas Tuchel’s Premier League winning troop.

Along with a defender, Roman Abramovich is also keen on bringing a new striker through the Stamford Bridge gates.

His main target remains Erling Haaland, but he’s also shown interest in Harry Kane and Inter’s Lukaku.

Reports linking the Belgian with a return to Chelsea were recently doused when he said in an interview with DevilTime that he was staying in Italy.

Although it sounds conclusive, nothing is set in concrete and the 28-year-old could easily find himself being shipped out this summer.

And most Blues fans would welcome back Lukaku with open arms, especially if he arrived with Hakimi by his side.

The pair partnered up last season with Inter and were crucial to Antonio Conte’s successful Serie A scalp.

After the title had been wrapped up, Lukaku praised his teammate’s warrior-like attitude, which included a nod towards Hakimi.

In an interview with DAZN (via Daily Mail), the centre-forward said: “Hakimi has integrated very well.

“Now, he’s very important. Every team needs players ready to go to war and we have so many of them.”

Previously at Borussia Dortmund, Hakimi joined Inter last summer for £36.3m (Sky Sports).

He made 45 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing 11 assists.

A fighter mentality is exactly what Chelsea needs if they are to compete with Manchester City next year.

Only a select few of Tuchel’s squad have been crowned English top-flight champion before, or any league for that matter.

That is why players like Hakimi, who have been there and done it, would be so important for the Blue’s ultimate ambitions.

Not to mention the attacking prowess he brings from defence.

Only five Chelsea players outscored the right-back last campaign, a slightly worrying signal of their need for an efficient goal getter.

Plus, being able to gel quickly within a new team is always beneficial.

So many stars have arrived in England and haven’t been able to settle, which impacts their performances on the pitch.

If Hakimi can hit the ground running at Chelsea as he did at Inter, Tuchel could be onto a winner.