Romelu Lukaku’s performance for Napoli has been a mixed bag so far this season. While his arrival brought much-needed enthusiasm to the club after a disappointing previous campaign, his on-field contributions have not fully met expectations. Despite Napoli’s current position at the top of the Serie A table after 12 rounds, Lukaku’s individual performances have left something to be desired.
The Belgian striker’s struggles were evident in the recent 1-1 draw against Inter Milan at San Siro, where he was effectively neutralized by Francesco Acerbi. This match added to a growing list of defenders who have managed to limit Lukaku’s impact, including Bremer, Ismajli, and Hien in previous fixtures.
Against Inter, Lukaku showed glimpses of his potential, winning some fouls and occasionally holding up play, but he lost the majority of his duels with Acerbi. The contrast with his predecessor, Victor Osimhen, who consistently thrilled fans with his performances, is becoming increasingly apparent.
Napoli fans are growing impatient, as evidenced by the whistles Lukaku received when substituted against Atalanta. The expectation for a player of his caliber and with his salary (€6 million per season) is much higher than what he has delivered so far.
Antonio Conte, Napoli’s manager, is now expecting a significant improvement from Lukaku. The excuse of needing time to reach peak fitness is no longer valid, as Lukaku has been training regularly with the team for over two months, including work during international breaks to improve his physical condition.
As Lukaku joins the Belgian national team for the upcoming international fixtures, Conte will be looking for a step up in performance upon his return. With only 4 goals in 10 appearances, there’s a clear need for improvement, particularly in his finishing.
The next Serie A match for Napoli will be against Roma, another of Lukaku’s former clubs. This game presents an opportunity for the striker to silence his critics and prove his worth to the Napoli faithful.
