Former Inter, Lazio, and Juventus midfielder Hernanes believes that the Nerazzurri have fallen off somewhat this season, especially due to the loss of Romelu Lukaku.

Speaking to Italian news outlet Calcionews24.com, the Brazilian suggested that the Belgian’s sale last summer played a key role in the Nerazzurri falling off a bit from last season.

Last campaign, Lukaku had led Inter to their first Scudetto in eleven years with his goals and assists, leading the team in both categories, and topping Serie A as a whole for combined goals and assists.

The team have not looked weak in attack for much of this season despite the Belgian’s departure, but in recent matches have seemed to lack a killer instinct in front of goal, leading to dropped points at times.

Hernanes believes that this can largely be put down to the departure of Lukaku, who would be all but impossible to replace in the team.

“Inter are missing Lukaku,” he said. “They were doing very well up until the Supercoppa Italiana against Juventus. At that time they were playing well.”

“They had a good tie against Liverpool, but they went out. Now they’re a bit lost and have to find each other again,” he added.