Inter striker Romelu Lukaku was truly irreplaceable in the Scudetto-winning campaign, contributing so much on and off the pitch, writes Susy Campanale.
If we have to look through the entire Serie A landscape and find the player who is most utterly irreplaceable, it has to be Romelu Lukaku. It’s clear now why Antonio Conte fought so hard to get the striker from Manchester United at what back then seemed like an outlandish fee of over €80m.
What he brings to Inter is unique, a combination of pace, power, technique and mentality. Off the field, the Belgian has become utterly enmeshed in the Nerazzurri identity, communicating the perfect message every time to fans, reporters and teammates. Plus he scored 24 goals, just in case that little detail was forgotten.
There are some forwards who put the ball in the back of the net and that is the sole point of their existence in the team, but Lukaku is a thoroughly modern striker. He drops deep not just to get the ball, but to contribute in the build-up, to win it back or even to defend in his own penalty area. And once he starts running at defenders, there’s simply no stopping him. Inter fitness coach Antonio Pintus said that Lukaku has the physique of an American Football player, which allows him to be so incredibly quick despite having players clinging desperately to his shirt. Only Atalanta’s Duvan Zapata could perhaps compare in both style and above all substance, but seems to lack the stamina of the former Everton man.
Conte’s defend and counter approach only works because of Lukaku, who makes his presence felt in any area of the pitch and can spark and attack out of nowhere. Unlike Capocannoniere Cristiano Ronaldo, he is also happy to share the glory, providing 11 Serie A assists for his teammates this season and forming a wonderful partnership with Lautaro Martinez, although also showed he could work with Alexis Sanchez too. Lukaku is the first player since Opta began collecting the data in 2004-05 that scored over 20 goals and contributed at least 10 assists in a single Serie A season, not to mention his 100 per cent penalty record in the Nerazzurri jersey. While the others may be able to rotate, Lukaku participated in all but two of the Serie A matches this term, one due to injury, the other on the bench after the Scudetto had already been clinched.
The contribution that Lukaku makes on the field is just part of the reason why he is the player of the season, though. He already spoke excellent Italian the moment he arrived in Milan, is fluent in seven languages, and has the leadership qualities to act as a focal point in the dressing room, on the pitch and in the press conference. How many times have we seen this imposing figure step in to reassure a teammate, cheer another on, or make sure someone else toes the line? In the final game of the season against Udinese, he was even first to intervene and lead Lautaro Martinez away to prevent a row with Rodrigo Becao, even though Lukaku was on the bench at the time. He sensed trouble and made his presence felt.
Of course, he’s no Saint and has lost his temper too, most notably in the ugly Coppa Italia row with Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but these are rare moments for an otherwise exceptionally mature 28-year-old. Most of the time, he’s channelling Conte’s mentality to the media, the right mix of confidence and caution. Inter were waiting for a player like Lukaku, but it’s also fair to say that he needed the Nerazzurri every bit as much.
Breaking down in tears as he gathered the Serie A trophy, this was easily a career highlight so far to bolster a fairly empty trophy cabinet. He is appreciated for his skill in Italy and not just seen as an instrument of brute force, while Conte always said that Lukaku was a ‘rough diamond’ that needed refining. Now nobody surely can doubt that he is one of the best centre-forwards in Europe right now. That must be immensely satisfying, even a relief, after so many years of being called a ‘donkey’ in England.
‘Big Rom’ has found a home in Milan and the fans simply adore their gentle giant. The sight of him driving around the city with a friend after securing the Scudetto, leaning out the window with Inter scarf in hand, singing along with the fans along the roadside, many of them not even recognising him in his mask, showed the wonderful bond he has formed with the Interisti. Lukaku is player of the season and this is – at least so far- the season of his career.
Read the full 2020-21 Serie A season review here.