Surprised by Lukaku’s rapid dip, Turkish trolls, Red Devils uneasy
While Turkish internet users early expressed their doubts about Romelu Lukaku's form, the Red Devils coach Mark van Bommel remains uneasy about the impact on the national team; Lukaku still has fewer than 200 playing minutes for Fenerbahçe and no goal to his name.
Lukaku's minutes and online criticism
The Program overview includes Football, Cycling, Tennis, Formula 1, Basketball and Athletics, and offers more via the Article on Facebook. Lukaku has barely 170 minutes in seven matches, without a goal. "His star status when he arrived was enormous. I'm surprised how quickly that's now being chipped away," says Turkey expert Yordi Yamali.
Yamali adds that Turkish supporters on social media are relentless and have long been mocking the striker. "Patience is a virtue?" he wonders, while the criticism of the Belgian grows sharper.
Club chaos and coach dismissal
His first start against Gaziantep ended after 64 minutes without a goal, a pattern that repeats in earlier appearances. "It was a very difficult and arduous match for Fenerbahçe. The pitch also played a part, but there is so much going on at the club that you notice it affecting the performance. Lukaku was part of the collective failure," says Yamali.
The manager suddenly announced his resignation after the European match against AS Roma, but the chairman refused to accept it. "How can you still stand before a group after that?" asks Yamali, then he quotes that even Archie Brown had no idea about the resignation.
Nations League and selection doubt
Mark van Bommel, the new national team coach, will soon announce his squad for the Nations League matches against Italy, France and Turkey. With fewer than 200 minutes and no goal at Fenerbahçe, Lukaku on paper does not appear to be an obvious choice.
Yamali states clearly: "No? I would not yet select Romelu Lukaku. Certainly not until the next striker is truly ready. Who then actually makes minutes and goals?" He concludes: "That seems very sensible to me" if the Red Devils still consider calling him up.