Romelu Lukaku is a "unique 'bomber'
(goal scorer)," Napoli coach Antonio Conte said after the
arrival of the big Belgium centre-forward on a three-year deal
from Chelsea Thursday, saying "from today I am happier" about a
team that has made a faltering start to the season after last
year's slump in the wake of the historic 2023 scudetto.
"I saw that Romelu's signing is now official. I hope to have him
in training soon to get him in tune with the rest of the team.
He'll be with us for the match against Parma," said the former
Atalanta, Juve, Chelsea , Inter, Spurs and Italy manager.
'He's fast and powerful. He knows how to keep in combination
with the team's number 10s, he knows how to attack spaces,
that's why I consider him unique. He's a good guy, I put my
hands in the fire for him, he knows he's coming here and the
responsibility he has towards me and towards the Neapolitans.
"From today I am calmer and happier about the attack".
Lukaku, 31, who spent last season on loan to Roma and the
previous one on loan to Inter, is replacing 2023 scudetto
winning totem Victor Osimhen of Nigeria who has been linked to
Saudi side Al-Alhi.
The move move from Chelsea is reportedly worth about 30 million
euros plus add-ons.
The much-travelled Belgian, who stands 1.91m (6ft 3in) tall and
is excellent in the air and as a hold-up player, as well as
leading the line, has scored 85 goals in 199 appearances for his
country.
He previously also had spells at Everton and Manchester United,
after starting out at Anderlecht.
Naples fans have already welcomed Lukaku and a figurine of the
hulking Belgian has already appeared in the famed nativity
scenes of Via Gregorio Armeno.
On fan idol and the another star of the title-winning team who
fell away slighlty last year, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Conte said
the 23-year-old Georgian"has major margins to get even better
and I try to put him in unpredictable positions so that markers
are less sure about pinning him down".
photo: Then Inter coach Conte and Lukaku clash in 2021
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