09 October 2023 , 07:08
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Romelu Lukaku has hit back at his Chelsea critics and Mauricio Pochettino, insisting he feels 'trusted' at Roma with Jose Mourinho.
The Belgian forward joined the Italian giants on a season-long loan in the final days of the transfer window following a miserable spell at Stamford Bridge. Lukaku has been in great form since then.
He has scored seven goals in eight appearances in all competitions - two of those coming over the weekend in a 4-1 win over newly-promoted Cagliari. His displays are a marked difference from that shown at Chelsea. Lukaku scored just 15 goals for the Blues after becoming the club’s record signing. The striker was then jettisoned to Inter Milan last season and scored another 14 goals for the Nerazzurri.
Speaking after his brace for Roma, he said: "I am a professional, I worked in the summer. Many people have talked about my condition, but I don't speak and I demonstrate (my ability) on the field."
Lukaku has also been full of praise for Roma head coach Mourinho, who he believes has been key to his excellent form.
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"As I have said in the past, the coach and I have a special relationship,” Lukaku added. “He knows my family, he knows my children: he is someone I trust, as he has in me. He is also tough, as other coaches have been in the past, but it's the only way I can grow as a player."
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Lukaku’s relationship with Mourinho is a huge contrast to the Belgian’s exchanges with Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine immediately suggested that the striker had little future at Stamford Bridge after his arrival in West London.
He then confirmed that he hadn’t even spoken with Lukaku, whilst the forward was forced to train with the Blues’ under-21 side. Speaking at the time, Pochettino said: “The situation with the player you are asking, is a situation that was already really clear before we arrived here. There was a wish between the club and the player to try to find a solution.
“At the moment we are relaxed and nothing happened. If something changes we will inform you. If the player and club’s wish is to find a solution, it's not me, it's them.
“In that case, the player and the club will meet and inform me that things have changed. I'm not going to move until the club or the player wants to talk with me. I am here, I accept the situation that was here when I arrived.”
Lukaku’s form for Roma has seen him rewarded with a place in the Belgium squad for the October international break. Domenico Tedesco’s side take on Sweden and Austria in EURO 2024 qualifiers.