Van Bommel under pressure: Lukaku, Fenerbahçe's second, benched
On Fenerbahçe's training ground, Romelu Lukaku watches the drills from the bench, his jersey still fresh. Since May 2025, he has only started twice and now occupies the number two spot. Despite a fitness level declared “fit at 100%”, his future in the national team is worrying. The newspaper Sports Football Red Devils closely followed his evolution.
van Bommel's Choice
Mark van Bommel explained that his decision to bring on Matias Fernandez‑Pardo instead of Charles De Ketelaere was aimed at gaining speed on the counter‑attacks. “Lukaku trains with great hunger. He has barely arrived at his new club and must accumulate playing time there to gradually regain his best form,” he said the day before the match in Italy. Against France, Charles De Ketelaere and Matias Fernandez‑Pardo were preferred, relegating Lukaku to the bench.
History of Absences
Since his debut, Lukaku has been on the bench sixteen times, often against modest opponents such as Kazakhstan, San Marino, Andorra or Gibraltar. Two of those absences occurred during the group stage of a World Cup, against South Korea in 2014 and against England in 2018, when the starters were rested. The last time he was not used in an official match dates back to March 2021, in an 8‑0 victory over Belarus.
Stakes for the Match Against Turkey
For the upcoming clash against Turkey, Mark van Bommel's decision will be decisive: if Lukaku does not start, his place in the Red Devils becomes precarious. The coach has already indicated that the speed and defensive pressure of forwards such as Openda and Loïs are priorities. Thus, Fenerbahçe's number two risks staying on the bench.
Degryse and Defour warn about Lukaku's problem at Fenerbahçe
At club level, Lukaku has struggled to obtain regular minutes. In Naples, during the 2025‑2026 season, he received only occasional appearances, and at Fenerbahçe he plays only a few minutes each match. This scarcity of playing time explains his current role as a pivot rather than a goal scorer.
Yves Taildeman, specialist of Anderlecht and Belgian football, points out that Lukaku's situation reflects a vicious circle where lack of playing time leads to a loss of confidence. He reminds that the Devils, nicknamed the Red Devils, need forwards capable of combining speed and defensive work. Taildeman's analyses stress the urgency of restoring the playing rhythm of the great Rom.
If Lukaku does not quickly regain a starting role, both his club and the national team may have to consider other options. The debate surrounding his future continues to fuel discussions in the football world and among supporters of the Red Devils.