Romelu Lukaku had became a controversial figure during his time at Chelsea.
From the infamous interview about the transfer to Stamford Bridge only months after his arrival to his decision to snub a permanent move to Inter Milan, it turned out to be a difficult spell for the Belgian.
Now thriving under Antonio Conte once again at Napoli, the striker has spoken to [Corriere dello Sport](https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/calcio/serie-a/napoli/2025/03/07-138980385/lukaku_esclusivo_conte_ti_cambia_a_lui_non_giro_le_spalle) about his return to Chelsea.
He has hit back at some stereotypes around him and has also revealed he believes the Blues tarnished his reputation.
He said: _“The club says \[said\] I don’t want you anymore and decides when and often where you will end up. But if you want to leave, and for serious reasons, you don’t have the chance to do so. They take you to the last minute, they wear you out.”_
Speaking further on the topic, he said: _“The clubs have relationships with the press and it doesn’t take much to put the player in difficulty, to convey the wrong image. Believe me, I’ve seen things I never thought I’d see. One day I’d like to clarify all these aspects to the younger players, explaining who works for them and who works against them.”_
The Belgian also stated that during his time in England, the public had the wrong perception of him and his weight.
He said: _“In England they had the wrong perception. For them I was lazy, lazy. And I never reacted to attacks, to criticism. I speak very little, I let things happen._
_“I’m someone who does his job and then goes home to his children. In Italy the judgment has turned 180 degrees. I am a worker.”_
The 31-year-old also stated that he was made to change inside the youth dressing room during his time at Chelsea.
He said: _“The first time I wasn’t alone, Aubameyang and Ziyech were also outside the Chelsea project. They made us change in the youth locker room. We waited for weeks, giving up numerous options. Last summer I knew I would come to Naples.”_
Lukaku clearly isn’t happy with how things went during his return to the Blues.
If Chelsea tarnished the striker’s image, he didn’t help himself with the interview that he gave to the Italian press months after the move. And his performance were not up to scratch either, even though there were tactical issues at the London giants.
Both parties were at fault and Chelsea will be glad that Lukaku joined Napoli permanently last summer, bringing an end to the entire arrangement.