Former Inter defender Daniele Adani feels that, whilst there is no doubt that Romelu Lukaku has failed to live up to expectations, little would be accomplished by giving up on him now.

Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews, the former defender argued that the Nerazzurri should not give up considering the faith they have already shown in the Belgian.

Lukaku’s future has become a subject of speculation and uncertainty given that the Nerazzurri will have to negotiate with Chelsea to bring him back next season, and the club would have reason to be wary given his performances this season.

The reasons for the 29-year-old’s subpar form have been numerous, with injuries and fitness issues certainly chief among them, but the upshot is that the striker has not looked like the player he was in his first two seasons at the club.

“Let’s start with his injuries,” Adani said.

“Lukaku is not necessarily someone who’s naturally a top-class player, he doesn’t have the inherent ability that someone like Dzeko has, to how he plays the game,” he continued.

Adani argued of Lukaku that “Physical fitness and working week-in and week-out can’t be ignored for him to play at his best.”

“When Lukaku is in form, he grows in self-belief and then in technique, in quality.”

“But when he’s not in form, he becomes just another player, he struggles,” the former defender continued.

Asked if he thinks that Simone Inzaghi also has some responsibility for Lukaku’s lack of form, Adani replied that “I also expect the current Nerazzurri coach to find a way to influence Lukaku’s performance.”

“As I always say, when a top-level player doesn’t perform as expected, the blame must also be shared with the person who’s guiding him on the sidelines.”

“I’d even like it if Inzaghi said publicly what he expects from the Belgian,” Adani added.

Asked if he thinks that Paulo Dybala would have been a better signing for Inter than Lukaku, Adani said that “If we want to talk about mistakes in the transfer market, not signing Dybala was certainly one, and was regardless of whether Lukaku arrived or Sanchez left.”

“Inter are last in Serie A both for attempted dribbles and successful ones,” he highlighted.

“That lack of a player who can beat his man was also clearly visible against Sampdoria when it all got too predictable,” he continued.

Adani argued that “Having an that extra bit of quality from a player like Dybala against an opponent shutting up shop you can give you the moment of magic that opens up the match.”

Asked if he thinks that Inter should try and keep Lukaku for next season, Adani replied that “After a season like this, I’d still keep him just for the sake of not disavowing the choice that they’ve already made.”

“Lukaku is hardly a player who can be accused of not having the right attitude, and it’s not like he’s forgotten how to play football,” he added.

“The former defender emphasized that “If they believed in him before, they can’t just stop doing so after a difficult season.”