‘Like Phil Jackson & Shaquille O’Neal’ – Romelu Lukaku compares himself to NBA legend when discussing title-chasing relationship with Napoli boss Antonio Conte

Romelu Lukaku has likened his relationship with Napoli boss Antonio Conte to that enjoyed by NBA legends Phil Jackson and Shaquille O’Neal.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Iconic basketball coach Jackson worked with many all-time greats over the course of his career, including Chicago Bulls GOAT Michael Jordan and LA Lakers hero Kobe Bryant. He also helped to guide dominant centre Shaq to NBA Finals glory.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Sport is littered with tales of managers bringing the best out of certain players, with there often something that clicks between superstars that are sent into action and those that draw up tactical blueprints.

DID YOU KNOW?

Napoli are currently benefiting from Conte’s presence – as a proven trophy winner in Italy and England – with the Serie A title beginning to fall within reach. Lukaku has starred for Gli Azzurri this season, netting 13 goals, and is prepared to do whatever his manager asks.

WHAT ROMELU LUKAKU SAID

Belgium international Lukaku has told FIFA’s official website of working for a demanding tactician: “Conte and I are just honest with each other. He has some ideas and plans that I already know about. He doesn’t need to give me explanations and it doesn’t take me long to grasp what he wants from me.

“From a tactical point of view, he knows that I’m someone who studies the game a lot. I’ve been watching his games for a long time, more or less since he wanted to sign me back in the 2013-14 season. He pushes me, mentally and physically, to another level and I do everything I can to fully commit to his work.

“I think we make each other better. He’s one of the best coaches around. He’s a winner. We understand each other, first on a human level and then also on a sporting one. We respect each other and he knows that he can ask a lot of me because that’s how you get results. We both share the same desire to win and we both hate losing. Our differences are complimentary and they balance each other perfectly.

“Every player has that one coach that changes their career. Cristiano Ronaldo had [Sir Alex] Ferguson, [Lionel] Messi had [Pep] Guardiola, [Didier] Drogba had [Jose] Mourinho. I like to think that we’re like Phil Jackson and Shaquille O’Neal.”

WHAT NEXT?

Lukaku has endured a tough time since rejoining Chelsea in 2021, with a return to Stamford Bridge not playing out as planned, but he is a reliable goalscorer in Italian football and is looking to land more major silverware at 32 years of age.