Romelu Lukaku shows Chelsea what they’re missing near-immediate debut goal
Romelu Lukaku has wasted no time in reminding the football of his stature as one of the most efficient strikers in the game.
The Belgian striker took just 30 minutes of his Napoli debut to find the back of the net for his new employers.
Lukaku completed his move to Naples on Thursday in a deal worth £30million as he was reunited with former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte whom he spent two successful seasons under at Inter Milan.
While named on the bench for Saturday’s Serie A clash with Parma, the 31-year-old was introduced to the action just after the hour-mark with Napoli 1-0 down.
But 30 minutes later, Lukaku made his presence felt with a neat first touch in the penalty area before unleashing a vicious left-footed effort that powered past the goalkeeper.
That goal was a catalyst for Conte’s side, with former Fulham midfielder André-Frank Zambo Anguissa grabbing a last-gasp winner to make it two wins from three for Napoli.
Lukaku’s future has been the subject of intense speculation this summer after being part of Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’ of players who had been exiled from the club’s first team plans.
Having joined the Blues in the summer of 2021 for a fee of £97.5million, Lukaku has spent the last two seasons on loan in Italy with Inter Milan and then Roma.
Having not played for Chelsea since May 2022, the writing had been on the wall for the striker with regards to his future at Stamford Bridge, however his £325,000 a week wages posed a problem for any interested parties.
But with Napoli chasing firepower this summer, it seems that Lukaku and Conte will be delighted with the addition.
As well as former Fulham man Anguissa, Lukaku will also be playing his football alongside ex-Manchester United star Scott McTominay.
The Scotland international completed a £25million move to Naples on deadline day – a deal that Erik ten Hag said was disappointing due to his admiration of the player’s on-field performances.
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However Lukaku is unlikely to be playing alongside Victor Osimhen after the striker was excluded from the club’s Serie A squad.
It is understood delegates from Chelsea were in Naples until the final moments of transfer window before accepting a deal could not be done.
The Blues told Napoli they would take Osimhen on loan with an obligation to buy, but could not agree personal terms with the forward.
Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli were also heavily linked with a move, but ended up signing Ivan Toney from Brentford for £40million, despite agreeing a deal to buy Osimhen earlier on Friday.
It was claimed the Saudi Pro League side had a bid worth £67m accepted by Napoli and offered Osimhen a four-year package worth £135m in wages and bonuses.
Chelsea were unwilling to match the terms on offer in Saudi Arabia and did not want to overspend on the deal due to Profit and Sustainability regulations.