'I’m not someone who destroys players' — Mourinho hits back at critics following Lukaku goals

AS Roma’s Jose Mourinho has hit back at critics of his management of star striker Romelu Lukaku after the Belgian striker scored against Frosinone in Serie A. 

Lukaku joined Roma in the summer on loan from Chelsea but has not lit up the Serie A as expected, while Roma struggles with a bad start to the new season. 

The Belgian has enjoyed two spells in Serie A with Inter, and scored 10 goals in 19 starts in the 2022/23 season, leading many to believe that he could be important for Roma this season. 

However, after only two goals in his opening two months with Roma, there were doubts about whether Mourinho would be able to get the best out of Lukaku. 

Following Lukaku’s third goal in five games, Mourinho has hit back at those who questioned his management of the former Chelsea man. 

Lukaku’s latest goal helped Roma overcome Frosinone in a 2-0 Serie A triumph, and Mourinho said after the game, “At least people now can’t accuse me of not helping Lukaku to score goals… he can score goals here at Roma but also at Man United or Inter.”

“I’m not someone who destroys players’ quality.”

Lukaku’s goal also saw him record one of the best starts to life as a Roma forward, with only legendary Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta (6 goals) and Italian forward Stephan El Shaarawy (4 goals) scoring more goals than the Belgian forward (3 goals) in their first five matches of their Roma careers.