Inter would have been nowhere without Romelu Lukaku this season, a report in the Italian media has argued.
Corriere della Sera’s print edition said the Belgian was responsible for a large part of the Nerazzurri’s Serie A title triumph this season.
Lukaku received 9.5/10 in their season ratings for Inter, unsurprisingly the highest score awarded to a player after a 21-goal league campaign.
“Inter wouldn’t exist without Lukaku,” the report argued.
“He was unstoppable for everyone, tearing defences apart and showing an iron-clad desire to reach the objective.
“If Inter are what they are today, most of the credit goes to him.”
Antonio Conte was the only person to rate higher than Lukaku, receiving 10/10 for completing a ‘masterpiece’ by bringing the scudetto back to Inter.
Nicolo Barella was hailed as ‘Inter’s symbol’ while Marcelo Brozovic played a ‘fundamental role’ in helping the Nerazzurri tick over in midfield.
Lautaro Martinez impressed for his development and was irreproachable from criticism, while Stefan de Vrij was praised as a leader in Inter’s defence.
Achraf Hakimi immediately established himself as a key player in his first season with the club, which the report suggested was no mean feat, while Christian Eriksen ‘had the patience to wait for his moment’.
Samir Handanovic had an up-and-down season in goal while Ivan Perisic gave a big contribution to Inter’s title charge in the second half of the season.
CdS season ratings (starting XI): Handanovic 7; Skriniar 8, De Vrij 8.5, Bastoni 8.5; Hakimi 8.5, Barella 9, Brozovic 9, Eriksen 7, Perisic 7; Lukaku 9.5, Lautaro 9; Conte 10.
CdS season ratings (others): Matteo Darmian 7.5, Alexis Sanchez 6.5, Ashley Young 6.5, Andrea Ranocchia 6.5, Danilo D’Ambrosio 6.5, Roberto Gagliardini 6, Stefano Sensi 6, Aleksandar Kolarov 5.5, Arturo Vidal 5.5, Matias Vecino N/A, Andrea Pinamonti N/A.