Chelsea don't know how to use Lukaku, claims former coach
Stefan Bienkowski
- 29 Sept 2021 20:21 BST
- 5 min read
Former Chelsea and Inter manager Antonio Conte believes the Stamford Bridge side still haven’t figured out how to get the best out of Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgium international made his return to Chelsea in the summer after the Premier League giants paid £104 million for him, following 30 goals and 10 assists in 44 games for Conte’s Inter side.
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Despite scoring four goals in his first seven games for Chelsea, Lukaku was notably quiet in the club’s high-profile clashes with Liverpool and Manchester City.
Which has led some to suggest Lukaku is either misused by Thomas Tuchel or simply struggles in big games.
And Conte, who is now unattached to any club after leaving Inter in the summer, believes the Chelsea manager hasn’t yet figured out how to get the best out of Lukaku.
’I don’t think Chelsea have figured out how to use him’
“I think he can still do better, above all with his technique. He is already at a very high level, but a player must keep improving until the day he retires,” said Conte on Sky Sport Italia.
“During the game, there are moments when Lukaku needs to be turned on, but other than that he is one of the toughest forwards to play against, because he can do damage in any area of the pitch.
“If you have a centre-forward like that, you need to use him and I don’t think Chelsea have quite figured out how to use him yet.
“Last season, they didn’t have a proper centre-forward, so they rotated positions, whereas Romelu is a real reference point in attack. If they can figure out how to use Lukaku, then Chelsea can become the team to beat in the Champions League this season.”
