Antone Conte takes aim at Romelu Lukaku over Napoli snub – ‘I’m really disappointed’

Romelu Lukaku recently returned to Italy for clear-the-air talks with Napoli after the Serie A champions accused him of ignoring a request to return to training following an injury

Napoli boss Antonio Conte says that he’s ‘really disappointed’ in Romelu Lukaku over the striker’s lack of communication during his return to Italy. Lukaku, 32, has been back in his native Belgium in order to recover from a hamstring injury which has blighted his season.

The former Premier League star has also been grieving the loss his father, Roger, who died in September aged 58. Lukaku was in Italy this week for clear-the-air talks which are understood to have been positive, although he’ll continue his rehabilitation in Belgium.

But after Napoli’s rousing 4-0 win at home to Cremonese on Friday, Conte hit out at the 32-year-old. Asked whether he’d spoken to Lukaku, the Italian replied: “No, I haven’t had the chance yet.

“I know one of our directors spoke to him, he came to the training ground, my office was right there… but nobody knocked on the door – and that really disappointed me because I would have expected a greeting, a message or something. In these situations, the coach tries to understand everyone, but no one makes the effort to understand the coach.”

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Conte brought Lukaku to Naples at the beginning of last season after enjoying success together at Inter Milan. The ex-West Brom, Everton, Manchester United and Chelsea forward helped Napoli win the Serie A title, chipping in with 14 league goals.

Lukaku suffered a serious hamstring injury during a pre-season friendly in August and has only played a bit-part role in their ailing title defence, making just seven appearances, the last of which came in early March. Napoli also signed Rasmus Hojlund and Giovane in the summer, signalling their desire to refresh their front line.

Lukaku, who’s out of contract at the end of next season, hopes to be back before the end of the campaign and earn a recall to the Belgium squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup. The death of his father came during his first spell on the sidelines and greatly affected him.

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“Thank you for teaching me everything I know,” Lukaku posted on Instagram. “I will always be grateful and appreciate you. Life will never be the same again.

“You protected and guided me like no one else could have done. I will never be the same again. The pain and tears are flowing freely. But God will give me the strength to get back up. Thank you for everything.”

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