Lukaku says Osimhen is the best striker in Italy - but the title race is still open

One of the people who must be delighted 2022 has finished is Romelu Lukaku. The big Belgian striker had a bitter time at Chelsea, an injury-plagued return to Inter and an utterly miserable World Cup. The year 2023 can only get better, right?

Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, the troubled goalscorer said that he hopes his second stint at Inter ultimately proves as successful as the first one and that the legendary Thierry Henry takes over the vacant job as the new head coach of the Belgian national team.

Not every Inter fan welcomed Lukaku with open arms following his departure to Chelsea a year previously. He had fallen out with then-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel and needed a change. Old club Inter welcomed him back on a season-long loan.

"I was nervous when I came back to Italy. I wanted to do everything to help this team. As I've always said, Inter gave me an opportunity I needed in my career. Now we're back together, and we want to do well."

The Inter fans ultimately accepted Lukaku back, offering him their support in return for his honesty and efforts on the pitch.

"Inter fans are truly special, for me they are the best in the world. Because even if we are in difficulty, they are always there to help the team. It was a surprise for me. I thought they were angry with me. But in the end, they know I've always had Inter in my heart. I've had conversations with my teammates, and with people from the club. They know why I left. Now I'm back, and I hope to stay in the future, beyond this season. Inter is worth everything to me."

However, Lukaku's return was hampered by a severe injury, one that kept him out of action for two months. It was the most testing period in the Belgian's career - especially considering that World Cup was approaching.

"My flexor tendon was broken. Normally I recover quickly from injuries, but this time I felt things weren't going well. It was the first time in 13 years that I missed so many games. If you come to my house, it looks like a hospital... I have everything to recover as fast as possible, but this time I couldn't. I went to the World Cup and played the last game. I had just two training sessions in my legs in the last four months."

In the end, the Belgian so-called golden generation crashed out of the tournament at the group stage, with Lukaku missing their best chance in the must-win game against Croatia.

"Against Croatia, it was a big disappointment, but I told myself: Romelu, you weren't at 100%, you had just had two training sessions... Now switch off, rest for five days and start over from scratch. I went to Dubai with the national coach, and now I'm ready. The media rightly massacred me, but now I want to find the field again."

The Belgian football association sacked coach Roberto Martinez in the wake of their Qatari fiasco, leaving the job vacant. Lukaku hopes assistant Thierry Henry is given the nod.

"For me, Henry is the next coach of Belgium. There are no doubts. I say it openly: he will be the next coach. He has the respect of all the players, he has won everything. He knows how to coach, he knows what we have to do to get there. I don't think Belgium should start from scratch. So far this generation hasn't won but we have to keep trying to win. Henry wants to win, too."

Back in Italy, Napoli are leading Serie A by some distance. The former Chelsea and Anderlecht striker says nothing has been decided just yet.

"Nobody has lifted the trophy. We have got a chance. For that we play football: you have to believe in the impossible. People say it's impossible for us, well let's see at the end of the season. There are still six months left in the Scudetto race - and we're in it. Napoli have a great coach in Luciano Spalletti and a great team. I've seen many of their games. Osimhen scores many goals, Zielinski is well, Kvaratskhelia on the left, Lozano or Politano on the right. Osimhen is really strong. Now he's the best striker. We have to be honest. He's doing well for Napoli. They're first for a reason. We respect them but do not fear them."

On Wednesday, Inter and Lukaku will have a chance to show Napoli who's the better team when they host the Campania club. What a match that will be on the Serie A resumption!