Former manager Johan Boskamp has voiced sharp criticism regarding Romelu Lukaku’s recent substitute appearance for the Belgium national team during their match against Italy, pointing to the striker’s ongoing struggles with playing time and form at Fenerbahçe.
The fixture in Rome saw Belgium control the contest against a subdued Italian side, securing a victory courtesy of goals from Mika Godts and substitute Dodi Lukebakio. Lukaku began the match on the bench, entering the fray only late in the game after the outcome had essentially been decided, operating under what Boskamp described as ungrateful circumstances.
Boskamp Questions Lukaku’s Sharpness and Ball Control
Analyzing the performance for Het Belang van Limburg, Boskamp did not hold back his assessment of the national team’s all-time top scorer. “Weer een matige invalbeurt,” Boskamp stated regarding the cameo. “Hij kreeg twee ballen en miste twee keer zijn controle.”
The Dutch pundit connects those technical lapses directly to a severe lack of regular club minutes. Lukaku’s start to the season at Fenerbahçe has been testing, following a period before his transfer to Turkey where he also featured sparingly. According to Boskamp, this trajectory is entirely logical given the underlying timeline: it has now been more than a year since the forward last played a full match.
Tensions on the Pitch Reflect Deeper Frustrations
Following the final whistle in Rome, Lukaku became involved in a heated on-field exchange with Gianluigi Donnarumma. For Boskamp, that flashpoint served as clear evidence that the forward is currently not feeling comfortable in his own skin.
“Hij is veel te snel op zijn pik getrapt,” Boskamp observed, suggesting that an earlier version of the striker would have easily risen above such minor provocations.
Despite the current friction, Boskamp maintains that the Belgian talisman can return to his best level, provided he secures regular playing time at club level. Official statistics underscore that deficit: Lukaku currently sits on just 191 minutes of playing time this season across eight appearances, and he has yet to register a goal in those outings.
Club Scoring Drought and International Outlook
In club football, Lukaku’s scoring drought extends back to February 28, when he netted a late winner in a 1-2 victory against Hellas Verona. Since then, the forward has been searching for his rhythm in front of goal.
Looking ahead to Belgium’s upcoming fixture against France, Lukaku is widely expected to once again begin among the substitutes. Yet history suggests he can remain a dangerous weapon from the bench, a role he fulfilled at the World Cup with goals against New Zealand, Senegal, and the United States.
Worth a look
