Italian journalist Michele Criscitiello has suggested that the loss of Romelu Lukaku could affect Inter in more ways than just the direct absence of the Belgian’s contributions.
Writing in his editorial for Tuttomercatoweb.com, Criscitiello explained that one of the most important aspects of Lukaku’s time with the Nerazzurri was his partnership with Lautaro Martinez, and that the Argentine will not be able to play the same way that he had in the Belgian’s absence.
After Lukaku’s shock sale, Inter are doing everything they can to make sure that they don’t lose their second top-class striker in the form of Martinez, but even if they manage to do so there is no guarantee that the 23-year-old will experience the same kind of form that he did in a partnership with Lukaku.
Both strikers were fixtures under head coach Antonio Conte, who had them playing very much as a tandem, and without Lukaku Martinez will have to adjust his game to suit a new partner and tacitcal setup, and he could look less effective.
“He was worth half a team and also made Lautaro perform well,” writes Criscitiello of Lukaku, “You didn’t just lose the Belgian, you lost 80% of the pair.”
“Lautaro will continue to score because he has it in his DNA, but having Dzeko as a sidekick won’t be the same as have a perfect shoulder to play off of like Lukaku.”
