Former Inter defender Daniele Adani underlined how Romelu Lukaku hasn’t ‘come close to being good enough’ and he also blamed Simone Inzaghi for the Belgian’s struggles this season.
The 29-year-old Belgian striker has not lived up to the billing in the Lombardy capital this season, scoring just one goal across 10 uninspiring Serie A appearances.
Costing Inter around €20m total between his loan fee and wages, Lukaku has not repaid the investment and there are already indications that he’ll be returning to Chelsea in the summer.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Adani first explained why Lukaku hasn’t done well for Inter this season.
“Let’s start with injuries. Lukaku was not born a champion, he doesn’t have the naturalness of the talented striker, as Dzeko does, in his movements and plays.
“His football cannot do without fitness and weekly work. When Lukaku is well, he grows in self-confidence and then in technique, even in dribbling.
“But when he is bad, he becomes a normal player, who struggles.”
He underlined how Lukaku has been insufficient this season and failed to replicate the form he had before his high-profile move to Chelsea.
“The performances so far don’t even come close to being good enough, how can we deny it? It is clear that when Inter brought Lukaku back to Milan, they had in mind the carry of the two years in Serie A.
“A player capable of making a difference, at least in Italy. Here, that player in 2022-23 has never been seen. Even if in the last few games his attitude and head seem better.”
He laid some of the blame at coach Inzaghi’s door.
“I also expect the current Nerazzurri coach to find a way to affect Lukaku’s performance. As I always say, when a top player does not perform according to expectations, the blame must also be shared with the technical leadership.
“I would like Inzaghi to also say publicly what kind of work he wants to do with the Belgian.”
Finally, Adani suggested that Inter made a mistake by not picking up Paulo Dybala on a free transfer last summer.
“We want to talk about mistakes on the market, not signing Dybala was certainly one, regardless of whether Lukaku arrived or Sanchez left.
“Inter are last in Serie A for both dribbles attempted and successful. The man who goes beyond the play is missing, this was also seen against Sampdoria.
“Having an extra Dybala against closed-in opponents can guarantee you the classy play that breaks up the game.”
100% accurate