‘Can’t remember him looking as lean as this?’: Romelu Lukaku’s incredible body transformation is hailed by fans and ex-Chelsea No 2 Jody Morris as he prepares for his Premier League return in ‘great condition’, two years after he left Manchester United
- Lukaku looked bulky while at United but lost a lot of weight while at Inter Milan
- Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte discovered he had a digestive problem
- With his weight more than 100kg, the Belgian was put on a diet tailored to him
- He lost half a stone in less than a month and started banging in goals for Inter
- Chelsea have a much leaner Lukaku than the striker Manchester United had
Romelu Lukaku’s incredible body transformation has been praised by former Chelsea assistant Jody Morris and fans after returning to the club in ‘great condition’.
The Belgian striker re-signed for Chelsea this summer for a sizeable £98million fee, and has already got back to work in training with his new team-mates ahead of a potential second club debut against Arsenal on Sunday.
And ex-Blues boss Frank Lampard’s assistant manager Morris took to Twitter to hail Lukaku’s physical condition.
Ex-Chelsea assistant Jody Morris hailed the incredible transformation of Romelu Lukaku (left)
The Belgian striker was noticeably bulkier while playing at Manchester United two years ago
He said: ‘Not sure if it’s just me but Lukaku looks in great condition by the way (muscle emoji).. Not sure I remember him looking as lean as this when previously in the Prem??’
The 28-year-old was playing at a weight of more than 100kg while at Old Trafford, a cause for concern for Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte when he moved to the San Siro.
Conte arranged an appointment with specialist Matteo Pincella, who ran the rule over him – including studying decomposition of his body waste, according to ESPN – and discovered a digestive problem which was hindering Lukaku.
A crack new diet with fried food and potatoes cut and based on raw vegetables, fish, sweet potatoes and pasta saw him lose half a stone in just 12 days and success followed on the pitch, with 64 goals in 95 appearances in two seasons at Inter.
Morris (r), assistant to ex-Blues boss Frank Lampard (l), said Lukaku was now in great condition
Manager Antonio Conte (right), while at Inter Milan, discovered Lukaku had a digestive problem which was affecting him and put him on a diet which helped him lose weight quickly
Lukaku told Inter’s official podcast: ‘When I joined Inter we did an analysis of my body and a lot has changed. I eat a lot of salad and fish, which has a great effect on me. I take carnitine, it makes me feel good, and I take vitamins.
‘I eat salad for lunch, a lot of chicken breast, shirataki noodles. Since following this lifestyle I feel better on the pitch, more responsive and faster. I love sweet potatoes and black rice, I don’t eat pasta.
‘I have reached another level, physically and mentally. The day before the game I can go overboard with carbohydrates. After most matches I eat two packs of gnocchi. They get into my circulation quickly, they help me a lot. I drink and eat at the stadium, in our canteen, or I take my food home, then recover with lots of ice.’
A slimmer, more mobile Lukaku, in the goalscoring form of his life, could be unleashed against the Gunners this weekend for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
