Report Lukaku not happy with Napoli medical staff
Napoli are prepared to freeze Romelu Lukaku out after he refused to return from Belgium, as it’s reported both he and Kevin De Bruyne disagree with the club’s medical staff.
The situation is at an impasse, as when Lukaku returned to Belgium for international duty and was told he wasn’t fully fit, he decided to remain there rather than come straight back to Italy.
This infuriated Napoli, who threatened to freeze him out if he was not back by the deadline.
He released a statement on social media, but that does not seem to have made much difference to the Partenopei.
Lukaku and De Bruyne frustrated with Napoli
Now Belgian media point out the concern with the Napoli medical staff is shared by both Lukaku and De Bruyne.
“Romelu and I followed a similar path after our injuries. I did a full rehabilitation [in Belgium], Romelu partially in Antwerp and partially in Naples,” commented De Bruyne.
“When there are two different views, it’s hard to work together. There have been differences, and this is not ideal if you aim to get back in shape.”
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, Lukaku rushed his return in November because Napoli were struggling with an injury crisis, disobeyed the instructions given to him by his medical team in Antwerp, and suffered an immediate relapse.
It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that Napoli’s medical staff caused controversy, as they have had an epic run of serious setbacks that left Antonio Conte with a decimated squad this season.
This is why Lukaku would prefer to work with Lieven Maesschalck and Bert Driesen, physiotherapists they first met through the Belgium national team.
He is now determined to remain in Belgium until at least the end of this week, so it remains to be seen how Napoli will respond.