Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has been given the Thomas Tuchel treatment by Romelu Lukaku at Napoli after being threatened with exile from their squad.
Antonio Conte’s first full season at Napoli has been a rollercoaster. Despite the recent drama surrounding Romelu Lukaku, Conte has steered the club to second in Serie A, keeping them in contention for back-to-back Champions League appearances.
For Lukaku, however, the campaign has been far more stagnant. Since his move from Chelsea, he has struggled for consistent game time and has largely been utilised as a substitute, netting just one goal in recent months as Rasmus Hojlund has taken the starting mantle.
However, one thing that hasn’t changed is Lukaku’s behaviour, which caused issues with Conte after ignoring Napoli to stay in Belgium.
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Romelu Lukaku is ignoring Antonio Conte at Napoli
Antonio Conte, when speaking to DAZN had this to say about Lukaku.
“I’m disappointed by Romelu Lukaku. He didn’t even come to say hi to me. I didn’t speak to Romelu.
“He was there, close to my office, and we didn’t talk. I was not expecting this situation.”
The situation has escalated recently, with Lukaku hit by a huge fine, 20% of his monthly salary, after spending two weeks in Belgium without consent.
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Romelu Lukaku’s treatement of Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea
Romelu Lukaku’s relationship with Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea was defined by a lack of direct communication and professional disrespect.
The Belgian blindsided Tuchel with a controversial Sky Italia interview, where he questioned the manager’s tactics and pined for a return to Inter Milan, all without speaking to Tuchel first.
A frustrated Tuchel asked why a 28-year-old wouldn’t just come to his office with concerns. Something that now resonates with the situation that Conte is facing at Napoli.
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