Lukaku on what he ‘hated doing’ before meeting Conte and Chelsea troubles

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 10: Romelu Lukaku of Napoli is challenged by Francesco Acerbi of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 10, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Napoli star Romelu Lukaku admits he ‘hated’ playing with his back to the goal before meeting Antonio Conte and insists there was the wrong perception about him in England, but he ‘never reacted.’

The Belgium international is Napoli’s leading scorer this season, contributing to the Partenopei’s title hopes.

Napoli sit second in the Serie A table, just one point below leaders Inter.

Lukaku joined Napoli on a permanent transfer from Chelsea last summer, returning to Serie A after spells with Inter and Roma.

“Here in Italy, preparing for a match is much more important than in other places. And that makes everything more interesting. Before I met Conte, I hated doing it,” Lukaku told Corriere dello Sport.

Did he hate doing what, precisely?

“Playing with my back to goal,” the striker replied.

“Conte was very clear: ‘If you don’t improve this aspect, you can’t play with me.’ No alternatives. I have to thank him because what used to be my weakness turned into a strength.”

Lukaku on what he ‘hated doing’ before meeting Conte and Chelsea troubles

Lukaku played under Conte at Inter, winning the Serie A title in 2020-21 and then at Napoli.

The Belgian forward returned to Chelsea from Inter in 2021 but only spent one season at Stamford Bridge, going back to San Siro on loan in 2022.

“The first time, I wasn’t alone. Aubameyang and Ziyech were also out of Chelsea’s project,” he recalled.

“They made us change in the youth team’s locker room. We waited for weeks, turning down numerous options. Last summer, I knew I was coming to Napoli.”

In 2023, Lukaku joined Roma on loan from Chelsea in the last days of the summer transfer window, and last summer, after months of negotiations between the clubs, he signed for Napoli on a permanent deal.

“That’s the business. The club says they don’t want you anymore and decides when and often where you’ll end up,” Lukaku argued.

“But if you want to leave, even for serious reasons, you don’t have the option. They drag it out until the last moment, they wear you down. Clubs have relationships with the media, and it doesn’t take much to put a player in a difficult position or create the wrong image. Believe me, I’ve seen things I never thought I would. One day, I’d like to explain all of this to younger players, who is really working for them and who is working against them.”

“In England, they had the wrong perception. To them, I was lazy,” he continued.

“I never reacted to the attacks, to the criticism. I speak very little, I just do my job and then go home to my kids. In Italy, the judgment has flipped 180 degrees. Here, I’m seen as a hard worker.”

Lukaku has signed a contract until June 2027 at the Stadio Maradona.

“It’s truly inspiring. Here in Naples, everything reminds me of the team, of the passion,” he said.

“The kitman supports Napoli, the cook and the gruppo too. The energy people give off is incredible.”

Lastly, Lukaku argued that Atalanta and Juventus will also fight for the title and said their defenders, Isak Hien and Gleison Bremer, are among the toughest centre-backs he’s faced in his career.