Paulo Di Canio blasts 'weak, arrogant and fragile' Romelu Lukaku and says Chelsea will be 'tearing their hair out with regret' over signing the £98m striker, who is 'a big soppy cat more than a panther'

  • Romelu Lukaku admitted he is 'unhappy' with his first-team place at Chelsea
  • The 28-year-old also revealed he hoped to return to Inter Milan in the future
  • The striker was dropped by Blues boss Thomas Tuchel for clash with Liverpool
  • Ex-forward Paulo Di Canio said Lukaku is 'a big soppy cat more than a panther'

Paulo Di Canio has slammed Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku as 'arrogant' and 'very fragile' after the Belgian claimed he was 'unhappy' at Stamford Bridge. 

Lukaku was omitted from the Chelsea side that snatched a point against Liverpool during their title race crunch on Sunday. 

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel took the decision to drop the 28-year-old following his controversial interview with Sky Sports Italia. 

Romelu Lukaku (above) was omitted from the Chelsea side that snatched a point against Liverpool
Former West Ham striker Paulo Di Canio (above) labelled Lukaku as 'arrogant' and 'very fragile'

Paulo Di Canio (right) has slammed Romelu Lukaku (left) as 'arrogant' after his recent interview

Lukaku admitted he was 'unhappy' playing under Tuchel and revealed he hoped to return to Inter Milan in the future. 


In the interview, the Belgium international said: 'Physically I am fine. But I'm not happy with the situation at Chelsea. Tuchel has chosen to play with another system.

'I won't give up, I'll be professional. I am not happy with the situation but I am professional - and I can't give up now.'

He added: 'I really, genuinely from the bottom of my heart hope to come back to Inter, not at the end of my career, but while I am still at the level to win more trophies.' 

Lukaku gave an interview at home to Sky Italia which upset supporters and staff at Chelsea

Lukaku gave an interview at home to Sky Italia which upset supporters and staff at Chelsea

After Chelsea's draw, Tuchel was adamant the 28-year-old can come back from the fall-out

Following the interview, the striker was dropped by Thomas Tuchel (right) from the squad to face Liverpool

Lukaku faced his fair share of critics following his inflammatory comments but his harshest came in Di Canio. 

On the Sky Premier League show, the former striker slammed Lukaku and insisted Chelsea played better without him in the side. 

'This interview shows the weakness of an athlete who after six months gives up, perhaps because he arrived there with the arrogance of someone who doesn't realise what his real level is,' the 53-year-old said, via Give Me Sport.

'He won the Scudetto in Italy as a co-protagonist with his other teammates, but he's no Lionel Messi. 

The Belgium international won the Serie A with Inter but is 'no Lionel Messi' claims Di Canio

The Belgium international won the Serie A with Inter but is 'no Lionel Messi' claims Di Canio

'Inter would've won even without him, if they had Duvan Zapata or someone like that upfront. He is a functional player who did his duty in that team.

'He then went to the champions of Europe, in the Premier League against sides like Manchester City and Liverpool, where he is just one of many big names. 

'If you arrive at Chelsea and think you're going to be number one, you are in for a rude awakening!

'Chelsea played much better without Lukaku. He is a fragile player, so he seems to have character, but when he talks like that, the truth is he is very fragile.'  

Lukaku only returned to Stamford Bridge last summer on a £98million signing from Inter Milan.

The 28-year-old returned to Stamford Bridge on a £98m transfer fee just last summer

The 28-year-old returned to Stamford Bridge on a £98m transfer fee just last summer

But he has netted just five times in 13 Premier League appearances so far this season after his campaign was disrupted by an ankle injury and Covid.

And after just four months, it appears Lukaku's relationship with the west London club has already soured. 

Di Canio claimed that the Blues will now be beginning to regret the move as Lukaku is 'a big soppy cat more than a panther'. 

'Lukaku scored an incredible own goal here, it was a disastrous interview that made absolutely everybody unhappy, including himself,' the former West Ham striker added.

'As I always said, he's a big soppy cat more than a panther, he has never been hungry or determined in the big situations.

'I think Chelsea are tearing their hair out with regret over this transfer, especially as they didn't even really need this player.'