The Belgian media have made a big fuss this week about Jose Mourinho not getting his way with Romelu Lukaku.
It’s been explained multiple times that the Manchester United manager would have much preferred the striker stayed at his club during the current international break and made sure he got to, and stayed at, full fitness.
But Lukaku and Belgium manager Roberto Martinez had other ideas, and whilst allowances may have been made with Marouane Fellaini, the same has not been the case with his teammate.
For years, the Belgian national team set-up have had run-ins with clubs about fitness. Sending players back in a worse state than they arrived, calling up those who aren’t fit, and disagreeing with medical reports from clubs.
It was worse under Marc Wilmots than with Martinez, but Mourinho is reportedly still frustrated.
Wednesday’s edition of HLN reports Lukaku didn’t train on Tuesday and is in ‘intensive care’ at the Belgium HQ. He ‘may be spared’ the first match of the international break, against Iceland, so he’s ready to face Switzerland.
Jose will be watching.
