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Lukaku: ‘Scoring goals is beautiful but winning trophies sets you apart’
Time for proof. Journeyman Lukaku could be unleashed on Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday. PHOTO/AFP
What you need to know:
- Lukaku is not worried about personal glory. “It’s not about records. It’s about winning trophies.
The notion that he has a point to prove after returning to England does not interest Romelu Lukaku. Chelsea’s new $120m striker has heard the jibes about his game before – the comments about his first touch, the whispers about his physique – but he does not intend to spend much time worrying about his critics.
“Being with my back against the wall is something that I experienced since my youngest age,” he says. “It’s nothing new to me. Whatever people are saying, let them talk. They have a perception. You do want respect, but you don’t want to keep fighting for it because you’re going to lose unnecessary energy.”
Lukaku knows his worth. The Belgian has put his underwhelming spell at Manchester United behind him and is delighted to be back at Chelsea, seven years after leaving them for Everton.
At first glance he looks like the final piece in Thomas Tuchel’s jigsaw: the player capable of turning Chelsea from a top-four team into title contenders. The European champions lacked a top goalscorer last season and now they have one of the best in the world in Lukaku, who has benefited from spending the past two years with Antonio Conte at Inter.
Perfect for Conte
It is not hard to see why Lukaku wanted to leave Everton for Conte’s Chelsea in 2017, only to join United instead. They were unstoppable together at Inter. Lukaku’s career had stalled somewhat at United, who did not see the best of him, and he needed a change of scenery.
United’s loss was Inter’s gain. Conte finally got his man, and he worked his magic on Belgium’s record goalscorer. The change in Lukaku was remarkable. He made tweaks off the pitch, becoming leaner after altering his diet, and his tactical awareness grew. Everything clicked and Lukaku became the most fearsome attacker in Italy, helping Inter to end their 11-year wait for a title after scoring 24 goals and registering 11 assists.
Unfinished business
“Serie A was a league I always wanted to play in,” Lukaku says. “Antonio really helped me and showed me what it took to win. It’s a totally different game in Italy. Very, very tactical. Tight spaces and in most games you only get one chance and if you don’t score it gets difficult. Efficiency-wise that was important and I also learnt to play more with my back to goal.
“Most of the time you were back to goal and everything was going through me. I remember having a conversation with Conte about this and he told me if I wasn’t good at that I wouldn’t play. Once I mastered that aspect then everything became easier.”
Lukaku was happy at Inter but the club’s dire financial situation made it impossible for him to stay. Conte departed after a disagreement with the board, and Chelsea jumped at the chance of a reunion with Lukaku.
There is a sense of unfinished business. Lukaku was a raw 18-year-old when he left Anderlecht for Chelsea in 2011 and he found it difficult to break into the first team. He had loans at West Bromwich Albion and Everton, who eventually signed him permanently.
“My journey has had a lot of ups and downs but if you keep performing you will always get a chance. My relationship with the club has always been great and to be back is a good feeling.”
Lukaku is not worried about personal glory. “It’s not about records. It’s about winning trophies. I’ve realised how different people’s attitude is towards you when you win something. In conversations I had with Didier Drogba or John Terry or Antonio Conte, the respect I have is different when you start winning.
