Romelu Lukaku has responded to the criticism he received during his time in the Premier League, claiming that a false narrative was built around his playing style and abilities. Now thriving in Serie A with Napoli, the 31-year-old Belgian striker believes that many critics in England misunderstood his game.
Lukaku, who had stints in the Premier League with Chelsea, Manchester United, Everton, and West Brom, amassed an impressive 121 goals in 278 appearances. However, he feels that the critiques of his performances often painted an unfair picture.
Speaking on Friends of Sports, Lukaku expressed frustration with how his style of play was perceived in England: “The narrative has always been if someone says something about you and as a footballer you don’t react to it. Everyone runs with it, and that’s what happened to me.”
He pointed out specific criticisms, saying, “I remember the narratives when I was in England: ‘He’s lazy, he doesn’t work hard, he’s not a leader, he’s selfish, his first touch is bad, he cannot hold a ball, blah blah blah.'”
Lukaku feels that once he moved to Inter Milan, opinions of his abilities drastically changed. “I played for two years at Inter: ‘His back to goal, he’s the best player in the world, he’s top five!’” he explained, highlighting how his strengths were better recognized in Italy.
One of Lukaku’s frustrations stems from comparisons to Didier Drogba during his time at Chelsea, with expectations that he would replicate the Ivorian legend’s style of play. Lukaku, however, believes that people misjudged his game. “In England, they wanted to put me in a box. They see someone built like me and think he’s the new Drogba… Didier was more back to goal, he could hold up the ball no matter where you play it in from. That wasn’t my style, bro. Just let me make my run in behind, play me in.”
Now at Napoli, Lukaku has started the season strongly, reuniting with Antonio Conte, who previously coached him to success at Inter Milan. The pair won the Serie A title together in 2021, and Conte has been vocal about his admiration for the striker’s unique talents.
Conte praised Lukaku’s physicality and versatility, saying, “He is extremely tall and physically strong, but also very good at sprinting forward. His condition is still nowhere near optimal, but he becomes fundamental for us.”
Under Conte’s guidance, Napoli currently sit at the top of Serie A, with Lukaku contributing three goals in five appearances. The Belgian’s resurgence in Italy underlines his belief that he was misunderstood in England, as his career continues to flourish on the continent.
