IMG 20240831 194619

“Does more for the team” – Former Napoli striker rates Lukaku ahead of Osimhen

Former Napoli and Inter Milan striker, Arturo Di Napoli, has sided with the signing of Romelu Lukaku as the top striker for Antonio Conte’s side, rather than Osimhen, Soccernet.ng reports.

Osimhen fell out with the Napoli hierarchy after trying to force a move away from the club, and the 2023 Scudetto winners brought Lukaku in as his replacement as he headed out to Galatasaray on loan.

It might be early days, but it appears the move has worked in favour of both players, as they’ve led their teams to the top of their respective leagues.

However, Di Napoli claims Lukaku fits Conte’s system like hands in a glove, and is unsure if it would have been the same with Osimhen.

“For Conte’s balance, he is fundamental. It is no coincidence that when the two (Conte and Lukaku) are in the same team they perform at their best. Lukaku is a player who room, scores goals, and gives others breathing space to score many goals. He is clearly different from Osimhen. At this moment we need to think about Lukaku, who compared to Osimhen is more of a team player. He scores fewer goals (compared to Osimhen) but the team scores more,” the 50-year-old said on 1 Football Club, a radio program broadcast on 1 Station Radio, as revealed by Tutto Napoli.

In Osimhen’s absence, the Cologno manager has revealed Napoli are all clear for the league title if they can put up a fight against last season’s Scudetto winners, Inter Milan.

“Inter are still the team to beat. They concede more defensively than last year. However, it was also difficult to repeat that feat. Last year they had an extraordinary championship, they didn’t make any mistakes. In any case, they are still the favorite for the Scudetto, for sure. They came first last year.”

With Conte in charge of Napoli, they’re favourites to win the league, considering they’re not involved in any European competition.