Manager Jose Mourinho emphasizes the importance of showing love and support to Roma striker Romelu Lukaku

Roma Manager Mourinho: Lukaku’s Success Lies in Feeling Loved

Roma manager Jose Mourinho believes that Romelu Lukaku performs at his best when he feels appreciated and valued by his team. The Belgian striker recently scored his first goal for Roma during their resounding 7-0 victory over Empoli.

Lukaku, who joined Roma on a season-long loan from Chelsea this summer, had returned to the London club for a staggering £97.5m in 2021. However, his second spell with Chelsea proved unsuccessful as he did not feature in new manager Mauricio Pochettino’s plans.

Mourinho, who has previously worked with Lukaku at both Chelsea and Manchester United, expressed the importance of making the forward feel loved and wanted within a team. He stated that upon joining Roma, Lukaku could sense that the team needed someone like him and emphasized that winning is deeply ingrained in Lukaku’s nature.

The Portuguese manager commented on Lukaku’s happiness at Roma by saying, “I think he’s really happy,” highlighting how being part of a supportive environment has contributed to the player’s contentment.

A Rollercoaster Journey for Lukaku

This marks another chapter in an eventful journey for Romelu Lukaku. After spending last season on loan at Inter Milan where he featured in their Champions League final defeat against Manchester City, Inter was unable to secure a permanent deal to sign him from Chelsea.

Lukakau rejoined Chelsea from Inter Milan in August 2021 but expressed his desire not to return to Stamford Bridge. Subsequently, he made the move to Roma, a team that has struggled so far this season with only four points from their first four Serie A matches.

Mourinho also addressed Lukaku’s goal-scoring achievement against Empoli, highlighting its significance for the player’s confidence. Though Mourinho downplayed its importance personally, he acknowledged how crucial it is for forwards like Lukaku who thrive on scoring goals.

The manager stated, “He’s an intelligent player who since arriving has made it clear that first and foremost what matters is that Roma score, not that he scores.”

No Reason for Inter Milan to Be Angry

Despite missing out on signing Lukaku permanently, Mourinho believes there is no reason for Inter Milan to be angry at the striker. He pointed out their impressive 5-1 victory over AC Milan in the recent derby and emphasized their strong squad depth in attack.

Mourinho managed Inter Milan from 2008-2010 and suggested that they should instead feel happy for him as their former coach who needed a player of Lukaku’s caliber.