Romelu Lukaku has spoken candidly about his difficult spell at Chelsea, shedding light on his departure from the club and the criticism he endured during his time in England.
In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, the Belgian striker defended his work ethic and expressed frustration over how his situation at Stamford Bridge was handled.
Lukaku on Chelsea exit: “It’s just business”
Lukaku, who returned to Serie A after falling out of favour at Chelsea, did not hold back when discussing how he and other players were treated.
I wasn’t the only one at Chelsea,” he explained. “Aubameyang and Ziyech were also out of the project.
They moved us to the youth locker room. It’s business—when the club doesn’t want you anymore, they decide your future for you.
But when a player wants to leave, it’s never that simple.”
The Belgian striker also suggested that clubs control narratives in the media, often painting players in an unfair light.
“Clubs have relationships with the press. They make it seem like you’re the problem, like you’re someone you’re not.”
Addressing the “lazy” label in England
Lukaku’s time in the Premier League was often accompanied by criticism regarding his fitness and work ethic.
The forward, however, believes that these perceptions were entirely misplaced.
“In England, they had the wrong idea about me,” he said. “They saw me as lazy, but I never reacted to those attacks. I just focus on my job and go home.”
He contrasted this with his experience in Italy, where he feels his hard work is recognised.
“Here, the judgment is different. In Italy, I am seen as a worker. Today, I feel even better than I was at Inter. Back then, I weighed 101 kilos—now I’m at 99.”
Napoli in the title race
Now an integral part of Napoli under Antonio Conte, Lukaku is determined to help his team reclaim the Serie A title.
Napoli currently sit second in the league and are in a fierce battle with Inter Milan.
The Scudetto? It’s a four-way race,” he noted.
“We are fighting for the title with Inter, Atalanta, and Juventus, who are now just six points behind Inter.”
As Napoli push forward in the title race, Lukaku remains a key figure in their campaign.
With his performances in Serie A proving his critics wrong, the Belgian striker seems intent on rewriting the narrative that once followed him in England.
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