Lukaku’s Setback Shakes Napoli: Conte’s Plans Face a Delicate Pause

Lukaku’s setback shakes Napoli’s plans

Romelu Lukaku has suffered a muscle setback that keeps him sidelined, delivering a heavy blow to Napoli and to coach Antonio Conte, who had hoped for his swift return.

Despite a hopeful pre-season build-up, the Belgian forward remains unavailable for the next period, and the pace of his training cannot yet be increased. The latest setback dims expectations of a rapid comeback and compels a conservative approach from the medical staff.

Even though there was brief optimism when he travelled with the squad to Saudi Arabia for the Italian Super Cup, Lukaku’s conditioning and match readiness have not progressed enough to justify a quick reintroduction to competitive action.

In this context, Napoli’s attacking plans are recalibrated. With Lukaku out, Rasmus Höjlund is the primary option up front, and the club must decide whether to seek additional reinforcements during this pivotal stretch of the season.

Conte had hoped Lukaku’s return would stabilize the attack; his continued absence forces Napoli to revisit its tactical setup and perhaps adjust transfer or frontline strategies to keep the attack functioning at a high level.

Medical staff maintain a measured timeline, and a late January return remains not guaranteed. Napoli will balance short-term needs with long-term health, aiming to avoid a prolonged layoff while keeping the squad competitive in Serie A.

In the meantime, Höjlund remains the focal point of the attack, and the club weighs whether to bolster the forward line amid this crucial phase. The question now is whether patience pays off or if a spark from elsewhere is required to sustain momentum.

Punchline 1: If injuries were bullets, Conte would still aim for a clean headshot—just not with Lukaku in this round.

Punchline 2: Napoli’s plan B is warming the bench and hoping the comeback timer behaves. Until then, the scoreboard will be doing most of the talking.