Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian striker, has expressed his frustration with Chelsea, accusing the club of limiting his playing style and unfairly comparing him to the legendary Didier Drogba. Lukaku, who has had two spells at Stamford Bridge, revealed his disappointment at being forced into a particular role that he feels did not suit his strengths as a player.
In a recent interview on the podcast Friends of Sports, Lukaku opened up about his time in England, highlighting the misconceptions about his abilities and the constant pressure to emulate Drogba, a Chelsea icon.
Lukaku first joined Chelsea as a young attacker in 2011, arriving with high expectations after a promising start to his career at Anderlecht. However, it quickly became apparent that the club did not see him as part of their long-term plans. During his first stint with the Blues, Lukaku found it difficult to break into the first team, spending much of his time on loan at West Bromwich Albion and Everton. Despite showing his potential during these loan spells, Lukaku was eventually sold to Everton in 2014, where he would flourish as one of the Premier League’s most prolific goal scorers.
After making a name for himself at Everton and later at Manchester United, Lukaku returned to Chelsea in 2019 in a high-profile transfer from Inter Milan. The deal, which was worth millions of pounds, was meant to be the moment when Lukaku cemented his status as one of the world’s top strikers. However, his second spell at Chelsea mirrored the first, as he once again struggled to fit into the team’s system and failed to live up to the lofty expectations placed upon him. Lukaku’s frustration grew as he was consistently compared to Drogba, with fans and analysts alike expecting him to replicate the Ivorian’s style of play.
In his interview with Friends of Sports, Lukaku spoke candidly about the difficulties he faced at Chelsea, describing how the club tried to force him into a mold that didn’t align with his strengths. “In England, they wanted to put me in a box,” he said. “They see someone built like me and think: new Drogba. I’m not like that.” Lukaku went on to explain that while Drogba excelled at playing with his back to goal and holding up the ball, that was not his natural style of play. “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,” he added.
Lukaku also addressed the negative narratives that followed him throughout his time in England. Despite his success in other leagues, particularly in Italy with Inter Milan, he was often criticized during his stints in the Premier League. “The narratives when I was in England were ‘he’s lazy, he doesn’t work hard, he’s not a leader, he’s selfish, first, he cannot hold a ball, blah blah blah,’” Lukaku recalled. He contrasted this with his experience in Italy, where he was celebrated for his ability to play with his back to goal and was regarded as one of the best players in the world. “I played two years at Inter, ‘he’s back to goal, he’s the best player in the world, he’s top 5,’” Lukaku said, expressing frustration at the inconsistency in how his performances were perceived.
Lukaku’s time at Chelsea was undoubtedly disappointing for both the player and the club. Despite his impressive physical attributes and proven goal-scoring record, he never seemed to fully integrate into the team’s system. His lack of consistency in front of goal, coupled with injuries and tactical misfits, led to a difficult period that ultimately saw him return to Italy. Last summer, Lukaku was sold permanently to Napoli, where he has made an immediate impact under the guidance of Antonio Conte, his former manager at Inter Milan.
For Lukaku, the move to Napoli represents a fresh start and an opportunity to showcase his talents without the pressure of living up to Drogba’s legacy. Under Conte, a manager who understands his strengths and has built a system around him, Lukaku has already started the season on a bright note, scoring goals and helping Napoli challenge for titles in Serie A. The Belgian striker is hopeful that his time in Italy will allow him to be appreciated for the player he is, rather than being compared to others.
Looking back on his journey, Lukaku’s story is one of perseverance and resilience. After failing to establish himself at Chelsea twice, he has continued to push forward, proving himself at clubs like Everton, Manchester United, and Inter Milan. Despite the setbacks he faced in England, Lukaku has remained one of the most sought-after strikers in world football, and his move to Napoli seems to have reignited his career.
Reflecting on his experience, Lukaku’s comments about being put in a “box” serve as a reminder that not all players can be defined by traditional roles or compared to past legends. While Drogba will always be remembered as one of Chelsea’s greatest strikers, Lukaku is determined to carve out his own legacy, on his own terms. As he continues to shine in Italy, it’s clear that Lukaku has found the right environment to thrive, free from the constraints that once held him back.
In conclusion, Lukaku’s candid interview sheds light on the challenges he faced at Chelsea and the unrealistic expectations placed upon him. While his time at Stamford Bridge may not have gone as planned, his move to Napoli has given him the chance to rediscover his form and continue his journey as one of Europe’s top strikers. As Lukaku moves forward in his career, fans will be watching closely to see how he continues to evolve and prove his doubters wrong.
