Chelsea’s new signing Kalidou Koulibaly says Romelu Lukaku lacked ‘confidence’ in the Premier League

Chelsea‘s summer season recruit Kalodou Koulibaly suggests Romelu Lukaku struggled within the Premier League, attributable to an absence of ‘confidence’.

The 31-year-old centre-back accomplished a transfer to Stamford Bridge from Serie A earlier this summer season – earlier than Lukaku accomplished the reverse transfer as he secured a mortgage again to Inter Milan.

Koulibaly, who is aware of Lukaku effectively from their time taking part in towards one another in Italy, means that there might have been points within the Belgian’s ‘personal life’ that induced on-pitch struggles.

Kalidou Koulibaly says Romelu Lukaku had an absence of ‘confidence’ for Chelsea final season

Lukaku scored simply eight targets after securing a club-record transfer value £97.5m in the summertime

Talking in his press convention on Wednesday, the previous Napoli defender mentioned: ‘Romelu is an efficient participant, a pleasant participant, a gifted participant.

‘He’s very robust and I used to be used to taking part in towards him in Italy – I believe he did not wish to play towards me!

‘Final 12 months I believe possibly he did not have the arrogance he wanted to play like he needed. Perhaps one thing else, I do not know.

‘Soccer isn’t all in regards to the pitch, it’s also your personal life and every little thing else, so possibly it was one thing that did not work with him over right here.’

Lukaka accomplished a club-record transfer value £97.5m to Chelsea final summer season from Inter Milan – however failed to regulate to Premier League life after scoring simply eight league targets earlier than returning to Italy this summer season.

Koulibaly (L) battles with Lukaku within the Coppa Italia two years in the past throughout his time at Napoli

Waiting for this 12 months, Koulibaly mentioned: ‘We’ve got lots of abilities, lots of good gamers, lots of winners, lots of skilled gamers, lots of younger gamers. I want Lukaku a superb season however I want Chelsea a greater season.’

The Blues are already on the seek for Lukaku’s substitute, after they opened talks with Barcelona as they’re enthusiastic about signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang earlier than the switch window closes.

Chelsea have already acquired the providers of Raheem Sterling however Thomas Tuchel is raring so as to add one other ahead to his ranks following the departure of Lukaku.  

Chelsea have opened talks with Barcelona as they give the impression of being to signal Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang