Napoli coach Antonio Conte said Romelu Lukaku is starting to get in shape but admitted the striker probably feels ‘too much’ responsibility since signing for the club in late summer.
The 31-year-old striker started his Napoli career brilliantly in terms of offensive contribution, as he scored three goals and delivered four assists in five games since returning to Serie A to wear the Partenopei’s shirt.
Yet, the striker recently decided to inform Belgium he would only play for his club in the remaining months of 2024 as he wants to settle in quickly at the Stadio Diego Maradona and find his best form, after spending the summer as a Chelsea outcast, mostly training on his own.
According to Conte, Lukaku‘s fitness is gradually improving, but he feels the pressure of delivering at Napoli, which is why the coach urged him to ‘remain calm’ and do ‘what he can do’.
Conte urges Lukaku to ‘remain calm’ despite burden of responsibility
“He feels a lot of responsibility, maybe even too much, since arriving,” Conte told reporters during a press conference, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb.
“He’s focused, from time to time I tell him ‘do what you can do’, he can make a difference. I’ve always said, in every situation, even in numerical terms, what kind of player he is and what he can do.
“He’s starting to feel good also physically, and mentally, he needs to play with a free mind, the responsibility is entirely mine.
“He must remain calm and do what he can do, scoring goals and making assists, playing for his teammates, he’s a generous player as you could see, perhaps even too much.
“After that, alongside Giovanni and the other veterans, he can take the responsibility to be a leader. But he’s feeling good, it’s important for us.”
Lukaku recently told in an interview that Conte’s ability to ‘create a partnership’ between players is what makes him special and sets him apart from regular managers.