Legendary former Inter Milan, Napoli, and Lazio forward Goran Pandev feels that Marcus Thuram is even more impressive than Romelu Lukaku.
The North Macedonian spoke to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews. He also opened up about his conflicting sympathies ahead of tomorrow’s Serie A match.
Inter did not exactly sign Thuram as a like-for-like Lukaku replacement.
Rather, the Frenchman arrived as a kind of replacement for Edin Dzeko.
But after a dramatic collapse of the relationship between Inter and Lukaku meant that the Belgian did not return to Inter for this season, Thuram’s role changed.
The 26-year-old has been the clear first-choice in attack.
Without Lukaku or Dzeko in the team, it has been Thuram who partners Lautaro Martinez in the starting eleven.
And the Frenchman has not felt the pressure of this task. Far from it, he has flourished.
Thuram has managed to find a very strong chemistry with Martinez in attack.
And for his part, Pandev feels that it is even more impressive than what Lukaku had managed during his time in an Inter shirt.
Gorvan Pandev: Marcus Thuram Better Than Romelu Lukaku
Asked whether he believes Thuram is better than Lukaku, Pandev replied “Yes. And I say that firmly.”
As far as the Frenchman’s partnership with Martinez, Pandev said that “They’re similar. And they know how to interchange and delegate tasks on the pitch.”
“I have to congratulate Marotta and Ausilio for the signing,” he added.
“It’s a real coup.”
As far as who he’ll be rooting for in tomorrow evening’s match between the Nerazzurri and the Partenopei, Pandev said “I could never choose between Napoli and Inter.”
He called the clubs “Two teams that I love, and with whom I won trophies.”
And Pandev also called Martinez and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen “The two best strikers in Serie A.”
“Lautaro has the attitude of a true captain,” he added.
“The armband has reinvigorated him.”
