Antonio Conte backs Chelsea failure Romelu Lukaku to become Premier League success despite nightmare return at Stamford Bridge… as Spurs boss insists Belgian needs ‘more time to make an impact’
- Antonio Conte has backed Romelu Lukaku to make it big in English football
- The Italian insisted Lukaku needs “more time to make an impact” at Chelsea
- The two have known each other well since the title-winning season at Inter Milan
- Conte’s Spurs travel to Stamford Bridge in their second league game on Sunday
By George Sessions, Pa
Posted: 23:10, 12 August 2022 | Updated: 23:10, 12 August 2022
Romelu Lukaku can still be successful in the Premier League, according to Tottenham manager Antonio Conte, who suggested his old man needs more love at Chelsea.
Conte hosts his Spurs side at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but there will be no head-to-head battle between two of the world’s best strikers.
Harry Kane will lead the line for the visitors, but Thomas Tuchel could once again come up with a false nine for the hosts, who have been dogged by problems in front of goal for a long period.
Antonio Conte will be looking to get one at his old club when Spurs travel to Chelsea
The Italian has backed Chelsea failure Romelu Lukaku to eventually become a good Premier League player
The £97m signing of Lukaku last summer was expected to solve Chelsea’s attacking woes, but the Belgian struggled and returned to Inter on loan.
It was at the San Siro under Conte that the former Manchester United striker showed he is among the best in his position on his way to helping Inter win the Serie A title in 2021 and his old boss believes that The 29-year-old could still thrive in England.
He said: “I think Romelu lived for two years in Milan and was the king. The fans have shown him a lot of passion and I think he’s a guy who needs that.
“For that reason I think he wanted to go back to Milan, but certainly the signing was a good signing for Chelsea. Then you know very well that there are players who need more time to make an impact.
“We are talking about a player who has returned to Chelsea and is now on loan at Inter for this season, but has the potential to play in the Premier League.
Conte knows Lukaku well from their title-winning season together at Inter Milan in 2020-21
I remember very well when he started playing last season, he played really well and you in the media said Lukaku was really strong.
“A lot of things can happen and confidence can drop. I know for sure he’s a bit disappointed with his impact because he wanted to have another impact in England.
“But he has time.” Now it is right that he plays for an important club in Italy to try to regain his confidence, but we are talking about a really important and really good striker.
While Spurs have regularly seen Harry Kane, and now even Son Heung-min, reach the 20-goal mark in the Premier League, the last Chelsea player to do so was Diego Costa five years ago.
It happened in Conte’s first campaign in England, where he led the Blues to the title.
Spurs have not had to worry about goals since Harry Kane broke into their first team
The FA Cup would follow in his second and final season at Stamford Bridge before he left in acrimonious circumstances, but the 53-year-old has only fond memories of his time under Roman Abramovich.
“I spent two important years at Chelsea which I enjoyed very much,” added Conte.
“We won the Premier League and then the FA Cup. We also lost the FA Cup final. It was my first experience in England and everything was new to me, but I really enjoyed this time. Yes, I carry with me a good feeling.
“I saw the Abramovich era come to an end, but this man led the team to one of the best clubs in the world.
“It was a pleasure to be a part of Chelsea’s history and the Abramovich era. And at the same time give him two trophies.
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