Adani: Lukaku’s Decline and Napoli’s Striker Dilemma

Former defender Daniele Adani has shared his thoughts on Romelu Lukaku’s current form at Napoli, emphasizing that the Belgian striker is no longer the dominant force he once was during his time at Inter Milan. Speaking on “Viva El Futbol,” Adani addressed Napoli’s present situation and potential future developments.

“Lukaku is not the same player we saw at Inter,” Adani explained. “He’s less explosive, less impactful, and struggles to integrate into the team’s play. This not only limits his personal contribution but also affects the overall performance of his teammates. He’s no longer that dominant player capable of holding up the ball effectively. This is problematic because Napoli relies heavily on him and needs his performance.”

Discussing potential alternatives, Adani mentioned Neres as a possible solution, praising his one-on-one skills and ability to create individual plays down the wing. However, he raised a broader question: “If Napoli decides to seek an alternative to Lukaku, who could realistically replace him?”

Adani believes that Lukaku will remain Napoli’s first-choice striker until the end of the season. However, he suggests that introducing some competition could be beneficial, as is common practice among top clubs, especially when considering potential market moves.

Drawing a comparison with Roma, Adani noted that while the Giallorossi have invested in Dovbyk, he doesn’t consider this a sufficient solution. He posed the question of who Napoli could realistically afford to replace Lukaku, even in his current form.

Adani concluded by pointing out that Lukaku has often been substituted before the end of matches this season, sometimes with 10 to 20 minutes remaining. He suggests this is a significant indicator that warrants consideration.