Inter CEO Beppe Marotta has revealed that Romelu Lukaku is currently out of shape and overweight and that is why he is on the bench against Porto.
Reports in Italy had expected the Belgian to start today, but Lukaku is on the bench for the Nerazzurri despite having scored a penalty against Udinese and it was his first goal in many weeks and after multiple injury issues.
But before the kick-off, Marotta spoke to Sky Italia (via TMW) and revealed why Lukaku isn’t starting. He stated that Lukaku weighs 103 kgs right now and he isn’t at 100 percent yet even though he should be so at this point of the campaign.
He said: “He has 103 kilos to carry on his shoulders, he has to be 100% and he still isn’t. He’s getting back to his best form and Inzaghi is the only one he can evaluate. Even those who start on the bench can be important in games like these.”
Marotta revealed that the World Cup also played a role in disrupting his momentum, especially when he wasn’t fit and was facing injury issues at that point.
“Another influence in this anomalous season is represented by the World Cup that took place. It also influenced the recovery of other players. There was psychophysical involvement and some players were affected, others less so. Lukaku participated in the World Cup. He hasn’t given what he could and wanted to Inter so far but now we’ll find him as a true protagonist in the season finale, I’m sure.”
Lukaku’s stint at Inter in his ongoing loan spell has been disappointing and while there is talk of a renewal of his loan stint, Inter now have doubts about whether they should sign him again in the summer or not.
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Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN
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