Romelu Lukaku’s underwhelming tenure at Napoli has sparked a wave of frustration among fans, with many lamenting the decision to replace Victor Osimhen with the Belgian striker.
After another lacklustre performance in a 1-0 defeat to Lazio at the Stadio Diego Maradona, supporters are questioning whether even Erling Haaland could replicate Osimhen’s success in this Napoli setup.
Lukaku’s latest outing against Lazio summed up his struggles since arriving at Napoli. With just 15 touches, 10 completed passes, and no shots on target in 90 minutes, the Belgian forward failed to influence the game.
His substitution for Giovanni Simeone in injury time was met with loud boos from the home crowd, a stark reflection of the growing dissatisfaction with his performances.
The 31-year-old has scored five goals in 13 Serie A matches, but his recent form has been troubling, with just three goals in the last two months.
Lukaku’s ineffectiveness in key matches against Juventus, Atalanta, and Inter has left Napoli’s attack blunt, forcing Antonio Conte to repeatedly substitute him during crucial games.
The decision to replace Osimhen with Lukaku is increasingly seen as a misstep. Osimhen’s heroics at Napoli made him a fan favourite, and his departure has left a void that Lukaku has struggled to fill.
In contrast with Lukaku’s struggles in Italy, Osimhen has been thriving in the Turkish Super Lig, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in just nine appearances.
Fans have taken to social media to express their frustration. One commenter on Facebook wrote, “If no be lack of wisdom, how do you think Lukaku can replace Victor? Even Haaland can’t replace Victor in that Napoli team.”
Another added, “Napoli can’t replace the masked man this early… they should go for [Ademola] Lookman or [Victor] Boniface this time.”
Lukaku’s inability to match Osimhen’s impact has not only disappointed fans but has also cast doubt on the club’s transfer strategy and as Napoli continue to struggle offensively, the decision to entrust Lukaku with the task of replacing one of their greatest modern forwards is coming under increasing scrutiny.
