Football: Are Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez the best duo in world football right now?
They have both been in sparkling form for Inter Milan this campaign.
Inter Milan have taken Serie A by storm this season, and are the league leaders by four points, with one of the main reasons for their success being the link-up play between Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez.
They have combined for 31 of their 57 goals in the Italian top-flight, as well as having nine assists between them.
You have got Lukaku’s physicality and presence upfront, which makes the Belgian so difficult to contain, as well as the technical ability of Martinez, who has excelled since moving from Racing Club in 2018 for a reported fee of 22.7 million euros, scoring 33 goals in 85 appearances for the Italian giants.
Martinez has also scored 13 goals and added four assists in 23 Serie A outings this season. Former Chelsea and Everton striker Lukaku, on the other hand, has bagged 17 goals and set up five more in the league.
The understanding they have for one another is magnificent to witness, as they look to propel the Black and Blues to a 19th Serie A title — which would be their first since the 2009/2010 season.
Antonio Conte has had a big impact on getting the best out of Martinez and Lukaku, too. The former Chelsea manager has transformed Inter since taking over in 2019; making them into title contenders again.
The way Conte’s tactics work is Martinez is given a free role to roam wherever he wants behind Lukaku, giving him the opportunity to create and chip in with goals. Lukaku, on the other hand, has been perceived as being the old-fashioned centre-forward.
He is an energetic, powerful striker, supplemented with speed as well, and is clinical in front of goal, with his record speaking for itself. He is a pest for any defence he comes up against; there is no doubting that.
Wherever he has gone, the Belgium international has scored goals, too. He has caused mayhem for Serie A defences since his switch to Italy from Manchester United, in 2019, where he has gone onto net a formidable 40 goals in 58 games.
Martinez has admitted previously that he adores playing with his robust compatriot in an Instagram Live when asked about their partnership, last year.
“He is doing so well, he keeps improving. I love him.”
How do they compare to Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane, then?
Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane have both been outstanding for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League so far this season, and have combined for an incredible 26 goals of the Lilywhites’ 37 Premier League goals so far this campaign.
Kane and Son have both scored 13 goals each, with Kane chipping in with 11 assists. Son has assisted on six occasions in the Premier League this season.
They’re another pair of forwards who have a brilliant understanding of each other’s game, and when they are on the pitch, they unquestionably pose a massive threat to their opponent's defence.
Both players possess excellent vision and are extremely gifted footballers. Much like Lukaku, Kane is a vintage, old-fashion forward. The 27-year-old has flourished throughout his career at Tottenham Hotspur, scoring a whopping 156 goals in 228 matches.
Son, on the other hand, offers something different. The South Korean striker has been a huge fan favorite among Spurs’ supporters, and his rapid pace and tenacity has boded well for him following his move from Bayer Leverkusen, in 2015.
He has arguably been Tottenham's best player under Mourinho this season, as he continues to thrive under the Portuguese manager’s counter-attacking football, due to him being so agile and quick. He also has the ability to score from anywhere, which makes him a very difficult player to stifle.
It is somewhat difficult to suggest if they are currently better than Lukaku and Martinez, as they have been out-of-form in the league, in ninth place, after recording just one win in their last six games, but they are arguably playing in a more competitive league.
A lot of people will say Kane and Son have a better link-up play and are a more fruitful duo, but I prefer Lukaku and Martinez because they are so fluid going forward and have ultimately made Inter more balanced and entertaining to watch as a team.
They have been terrorising defences in Serie A all season, and they could be the reason Inter wins their first Scudetto in 11-years.
They deserve an enormous amount of credit for their tremendous performances this season, and the pair have helped Inter win big games this season, including the victory over their bitter rivals AC Milan last weekend, winning 3–0.
Lukaku got on the scoresheet once and set up another for his partner, with Martinez scoring twice in a statement victory for Conte’s side.
Now they need to ensure they perform at this level for the rest of this year because they have been worthy of the rave reviews they have received from pundits. They’re proving to be the real deal under Conte, who is a magnificent manager and motivator. There is no questioning that.
