Former Liverpool attacker Djibril Cisse has lauded Chelsea player Romelu Lukaku for his propensity to thrive under the weight of criticism.
Since Todd Boehly assumed co-ownership at Chelsea in May 2022, the club has witnessed a revolving door of players, with not all acquisitions proving successful.
Despite ongoing efforts to overhaul the squad, remnants of the Roman Abramovich era linger, with Lukaku currently plying his trade on loan at Roma.
Chelsea’s pursuit to offload Lukaku, following his underwhelming second stint at Stamford Bridge, remained unfruitful this summer, culminating in his temporary departure.
Yet, the Belgian marksman has found his stride in Italy, leaving a tangible impact with 10 goals in 26 Serie A outings and an additional seven strikes in the Europa League across nine appearances.
In a staunch defence of Lukaku, Cisse conveyed his admiration for the former Man United star’s unwavering mental fortitude and goal-scoring prowess.
Speaking to DH Net, Cisse articulated: “Very much so [I like him as a player]. He is a great player who scores goals wherever he goes. He is often criticised, but mentally, he is a strong guy.
“It seems that criticism makes him better and that is very strong.”
Cisse’s endorsement underscores Lukaku’s ability to transform adversity into motivation, a trait emblematic of his resilience on the pitch.
‘He’s strong mentally’ – Cisse praises resilient Chelsea star
