Maresca HORRIFIED by Lukaku’s Belgium misses

Carlo Garganese

• 18 Jun 2024 08:38 BST
• 4 min read

New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will have been horrified after watching Romelu Lukaku’s disastrous performance for Belgium on Monday.

Belgium fell to a shock defeat in their opening game of Euro 2024 as they lost to minnows Slovakia 1-0.

The player who was most to blame for the defeat was Lukaku, who missed a string of easy chances, as well as having two goals disallowed - one for offside and another for a handling offence earlier in the move.

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At 0-0, Lukaku squandered a glorious chance from close range as he shot straight at the goalkeeper when it seemed easier to score.

He then missed another easy chance to equalise in the first half as he overrun the ball terribly when clean through.

In the second half Lukaku missed another good opportunity as he volleyed wide at the far post.

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It was just the latest high-profile flop from Lukaku, with this game reminiscent of the 2022 World Cup when the striker missed a series of sitters in the exit to Croatia.

Watching on, Maresca will not have been impressed.

Only last week, Lukaku had sent Maresca a reminder of his qualities with a fantastic performance for Belgium.

Lukaku scored twice for Belgium in a 3-0 win over Luxembourg as they warmed up for Euro 2024 in style.

But when it mattered at Euro 2024, Lukaku failed to deliver.

Lukaku is not in Chelsea’s plans for next season - as a club - following his return to the club after his loan at Roma.

Following the appointment of Maresca as Chelsea manager this week, there has been some suggestions that an impressive Euro 2024 could convince the Italian to give Lukaku a chance next season.

It appears unlikely and is now even unlikelier after this horror performance.

New Napoli manager Antonio Conte wants to reunite with Lukaku once again after the pair won the Scudetto together at Inter.

Lukaku is Conte’s number one choice to replace Victor Osimhen, who is up for sale this summer.

Chelsea have set an asking price of £38 million for Lukaku, which is deemed excessive by Napoli considering the striker is now 31.

Lukaku’s performance against Slovakia will not improve Chelsea’s chances of selling the player at a good price.