How Romelu Lukaku’s exceptional physique transformation is firing Napoli’s Serie A title problem

Romelu Lukaku is again in high form and weighing in with objectives in Napoli’s push for the Serie A title.

The Belgian scored his tenth of the season in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Fiorentina, slotting within the rebound from Scott McTominay‘s strike to depart Antonio Conte‘s facet only a level behind league leaders Inter Milan. 

Regardless of his excellent Premier League scoring file — 121 objectives in 278 appearances — Lukaku was usually derided in England for his weight. 

It has been a difficult steadiness for Lukaku all through his profession and he has, at occasions, sacrificed tempo to as a substitute achieve extra muscle mass. 

He bulked as much as assist Belgium attain third place within the 2018 World Cup and however then struggled to lose the burden in time for his home season with Manchester United. 

‘Within the Premier League, I can’t play with the identical quantity of muscle as worldwide soccer,’ he mentioned on the time. 

Lukaku struggled at Previous Trafford, managing 28 objectives in 66 Premier League appearances below Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

A transfer to £73million Inter Milan adopted the place he got here below the tutelage of Conte — a person he describes as the most effective supervisor he has ever had. 

Beneath Conte, he misplaced 1.5stone in simply 12 days as they found that his digestive system had been ‘malfunctioning’. The brand new regime labored wonders and Lukaku fired in 24 objectives and supplied 11 assists to assist information Inter Milan to the Serie A title in 2021, earlier than leaving for Chelsea in a £97.5m transfer.

He made a promising begin to life in his second spell at Stamford Bridge — scoring 4 objectives in his first 4 video games — however issues quickly turned bitter. In the long run, he scored simply 15 objectives in 44 video games throughout his time in west London.

He was subsequently despatched out on two successive mortgage spells earlier than finishing a everlasting switch to Napoli and a reunion with Conte for £38m.

Seven months after his Chelsea hell ended, the 31-year-old appears to be like like he has his weight steadiness proper once more (though he says it could possibly be higher) and Napoli are reaping the rewards.

Final week, in an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Lukaku opened up about his weight and earlier than explaining how Conte had improved his recreation. 

‘In England that they had the fallacious concept,’ Lukaku mentioned. 

‘For them I used to be lazy, however I by no means reacted to the assaults. I’m somebody who does his job after which goes residence.

‘In Italy the opinion has been reversed, right here I’m a employee. Now I’m higher than after I was at Inter. There I used to be 101kg, right here 99kg. My splendid weight is definitely 102 kilos.

‘Taking part in with my again to objective… Conte was very clear: “For those who don’t enhance this side, you possibly can’t play with me.” No options.

‘I’ve to thank him as a result of what was once my weak spot became a power.’

With each Manchester United and Chelsea struggling to attain objectives in the meanwhile, they could possibly be forgiven for casting an envious eye over to Naples and questioning why they could not get the most effective out of Romelu Lukaku.