The debate over who should partner Lautaro Martinez up front for Inter is the question on the minds of Simone Inzaghi and fans alike and stats explain who between Romelu Lukaku and Edin Dzeko deserves a starting spot.
Martinez has proved to be indispensable to the Nerazzurri’s attacking unit over recent seasons, but Inzaghi’s system is reliant on having two centre-forwards playing in tandem.
Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku have been the go-to options to play alongside ‘El Toro’, however neither have been in massively productive form in 2023.
In terms of goals scored over the course of the season, the Bosnian leads the Belgian by a tally of 11 to four across all competitions.
Inzaghi has rewarded Dzeko’s efforts with a starting spot in Inter’s line-up for the majority of their big games this campaign.
Lukaku on the other hand is yet to hit the meteoric levels he is capable of in Serie A since his return to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on loan from Chelsea in August last year.
Fitness issues have played a major role in Belgium’s all-time record goalscorer’s lack of minutes, especially in the earlier stages of the season.
However, the positive indication is that Lukaku has netted twice from his two appearances for Inter in the Champions League.
And, whilst Dzeko boasts the more impressive goalscoring numbers in Serie A, it appears that Lukaku is comparatively more effective in creating chances for his teammates.
According to the statistics provided by Gazzetta dello Sport, Lukaku is averaging 1.33 chances created per game in Serie A and 1.5 in the Champions League, compared to Dzeko’s 1.17 domestically and 1.05 in Europe.
Lukaku’s stats are somewhat skewed by his limited minutes and appearances which tend to come from the substitutes’ bench in the second half.
At the moment, he is averaging a goal every 19.5 minutes in the Champions League.
However, it is a different story in Serie A, where Dzeko leads Lukaku in terms of goals scored – 0.28 per 90 minutes – expected goals – 0.51 per game – and total assists – 0.18 per 90.
In the short term, it would not come as a surprise to see the 36-year-old Dzeko keep his place in Inzaghi’s starting line-up, particularly in Serie A.
Despite his lack of goalscoring form this season, Lukaku still has plenty of experience to offer his coach, especially in the Champions League.
Longer term, Inter face a different conundrum. Dzeko’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, whilst Lukaku will return to Chelsea by default and then Inter will decide whether to open talks with the Blues again, as Beppe Marotta has recently explained.
All indications point towards the Nerazzurri having a busy summer transfer window when it comes to their attacking department, whether that be with internal renewals or looking elsewhere for Martinez’s strike partner next season.