Former Napoli striker Emanuele Calaio has disclosed why Antonio Conte preferred Belgium international Romelu Lukaku over Victor Osimhen.

Conte signed Lukaku from Chelsea this summer after joining Napoli in June to replace Victor Osimhen, who was expected to leave the club.

The Super Eagles striker eventually left the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, but not without controversy, as he was expelled from the first team after falling out with the club due to his failed move to either Chelsea or Al Ahli on transfer deadline day.

The 25-year-old was also stripped of his number nine shirt, which was handed to Romelu Lukaku before he managed to engineer a move away from the Naples-based club, joining Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray in early September.

Calaio, who had two stints with Napoli, believes the former Chelsea and Spurs boss preferred Lukaku over Osimhen due to his leadership qualities.

“Osimhen is stronger than Lukaku, but Conte evidently chose the Belgian because he is a locker room man, a leader,” Calaio said, per Napoli Magazine1.

“Have you seen what he did with Monza? It was clear from the TV, he always encouraged his teammates, he guided them.”