In an interview with Italian daily newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Belgium national team manager Roberto Martinez has sang the praises of Inter striker Romelu Lukaku.
In his first season at Inter, the Belgian national team forward has excelled and been an integral part in Inter’s success this season with him having netted 23 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions to date.
“I was sure he would do well. I know him very well and known him since he was 19,” Martinez began the interview which appeared in yesterday’s print edition.
“He is a unique number nine and he had been hungry to play in Serie A for a long time. He had the idea of playing in Italy and working with a manager like Conte in his head for months.”
Martinez then spoke on how important it was for Lukaku that Conte is in charge at Inter.
“Conte was very important for him. I was convinced that Antonio would give him the right instructions to allow him to express himself to the maximum and bring the best out of him and this has happened. I think Romelu can end the season in an incredible way.”
The former Everton manager was then asked whether he thinks that Lukaku still has room to improve.
“He is a player who always wants to improve and who wants to study. He always tries to do better the next time. However, I believe that his goal must be to remain an attacker who sees the goal and scores with continuity as he always has done. From this point of view, Rom is a unique talent.”
Martinez was then asked if Lautaro Martinez possibly leaving could impact Lukaku’s success at Inter.
“It won’t be a problem for him to change partners, Lukaku can adapt to any type of striker who plays next to him, he doesn’t need one or the other.”
Next Martinez was asked about Dries Mertens and his decision to snub a move to Inter in order to sign a contract extension with Napoli.
“I think he made the right decision. Dries has been very important for Belgium in these years. We have reached number one in the world and much of the credit for that is his. He is a player who we appreciate immensely.
“He could go to any team in the world, he could choose to earn all the money he wanted but for me his choice to stay at Napoli is an incredible story that is good for all of Italian football.”
In conclusion Martinez was asked about Lukaku and Mertens starting their coaching badges.
“They are ready to be coaches. They are intelligent players, they know all the basic concepts of football, they have a great influence on teammates. For me they are two phenomenons. They can still give a lot to Belgium and Italian football and I am sure they will be able to continue like this even when they are coaches.”
The post Belgium National Team Coach Roberto Martinez On Inter’s Romelu Lukaku: “A Unique Striker” appeared first on Sempreinter.
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