Romelu Lukaku has become a complete player with thanks to working under Antonio Conte at Inter, according to Belgian national team coach Roberto Martinez.
Lukaku has always been a goal scorer but appears to have managed to take his game to another level since his arrival at Inter in the summer of 2019 from Manchester United.
The Belgian national team forward has been absolutely prolific in front of goal since joining the Nerazzurri with him having scored 57 goals in 81 games across all competitions to date.
“Lukaku’s greatest quality is his killer instinct,” Martinez, who has been at the helm of the Belgian national team since 2016, told Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport.
“He can score like few others do and has a natural feeling when it comes to hitting the back of the net.
“In his career he has been involved in important and expensive transfers, especially in the Premier League and then from Manchester United to Inter.
“He arrived in Milan at the perfect moment, he became a complete footballer, obviously thanks to Conte.
“Today, at his age, there is no striker as strong as he is.”
Martinez then spoke on the relationship that Lukaku has with Conte and whether winning the Serie A title should be a concrete goal for Inter at this moment in time.
“The relationship that binds him to Antonio confirms it, Romelu dreams of winning it,” he said.
“There is still a long way to go in the league, but I think Inter have a great chance.”
In conclusion, Martinez, who formerly coached at Wigan Athletic and Everton among others, went on to point out what has changed for Lukaku in the past few years to become the player that he has today.
“I don’t think he is that different today,” Martinez admitted.
“He certainly has more maturity, he has adapted perfectly to a new reality with which there is a certain connection.
“In the past Romelu has always had the potential to be able to do what he is demonstrating in Milan, and for me it is not news.
“His desire is to win and make his mark in all the games he plays.
“For example, it cannot be a coincidence that Lukaku is the first player to score in five consecutive Milan derbies.
“All this happens not necessarily due to his qualities, but also due to the kind of mentality he has.”
Inter’s legendary former defender Riccardo Ferri believes Lukaku has no weaknesses as a striker.