Romelu Lukaku is even more important to Inter than his goals suggest, an Italian media report has argued today.

Gazzetta dello Sport’s print edition pointed out that Lukaku has scored 18 of Inter’s 60 Serie A goals this season, which is equivalent to 30%, and his goals have directly resulted in Inter picking up 10 points.

But the Belgian national team player is also a player who knows how to get the best out of his Nerazzurri teammates and does an awful lot that will not be picked up in the statistics.

“Whether the ball is from the defence, the midfielders or from the wings, the ball always ends up with Lukaku,” the Milan-based paper wrote.

“Romelu has the power to fit in with all his teammates and knows how to release everyone’s energy.”

Inter coach Antonio Conte has in fact shared his belief that Lukaku has ditched his good guy approach and become more ‘angry’, in order to embrace Conte’s combative style of play.

Aside from his goals Lukaku has also provided six assists in Serie A this season, meaning he has directly contributed to 24 of Inter’s league goals.

The 27-year-old has scored in 14 of Inter’s 24 games to date in the league and on 13 occasions, Conte’s side have come away from these matches with all three points.