'I like him a lot!' - Ex-Inter president impressed with 'intelligent' Lukaku

Massimo Moratti has praised Romelu Lukaku for performing beyond his expectations in his debut season with Inter Milan.

Romelu Lukaku quit Manchester United for Inter Milan last summer, a decision that worked wonders in rehabilitating his status as one of the deadliest strikers.

Scoring 23 goals, Lukaku has played a pivotal role in helping Inter finish runners up to Juventus in the Serie A title race.

He was also essential in his side’s impressive Europa League run, as he found the back of the net on seven occasions across six matches.

A brace in the competition’s final against Sevilla saw him become the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo to score in six consecutive knockout stage matches in a European competition.

In the same game, he also matched the Brazilian Ronaldo’s record of scoring most goals, 34, in his debut season at the club.

“His performance levels have been outstanding. I honestly didn’t expect that,” remarked ex-Inter president Massimo Moratti in a chat with AS.

“He has shown himself to be an intelligent lad, who has adapted incredibly well to Italian football and superseding all expectations. I like him a lot.”

Moratti, who led Inter from 1995 to 2013, also had kind words for another strong weapon in the Nerazzurri arsenal, Lautaro Martinez.

“He has incredible potential, he’s very talented,” the Italian said of Martinez.

“Now he’s showing what he is capable of but I think we are going to see even better things from him.”