Lukaku’s return to Inter not surprising - Handanovic

Samir Handanovic

penned a one-year renewal deal with

this month, prepared to hand off the baton to

Andre Onana

, the new shot-stopper. The 38-year-old has long been a reliable and strong keeper for the Nerazzurri and he will probably have his place in the starting XI for a lot of the next season.

Talking to

La Gazzetta dello Sport

, Handanovic first spoke about his relationship with Inter.

“For me being at Inter since 2012 is honour and responsibility, but also belonging, identity. If I have stayed so long it is because I’m happy here and there has been continuous growth, mine and the club’s. 

“I never got tired, passion and hunger matter. There is history here, I knew that after the hard times the victories would come.” 

He went on to talk about Romelu Lukaku’s return to the club from Chelsea after his following his €115m move last summer.

“His return didn’t surprise me because I saw how he was at Chelsea, I listened to his famous interview, you could feel melancholy and nostalgia. You always have to know what locker room you go to and Rom knew that ours is healthy, cheerful, positive. 

“In life you often choose economic reasons in the beginning, but then well-being always takes over. If you are happy on one side, it’s normal you want to go back. I didn’t say anything to him, it wasn’t necessary. 

“Rather I tease him, he still gets angry if he misses a little game! It’s as if he never left, he is the same person as before, then on the player the pitch will speak.”

The Slovenian insisted that he didn’t like Milan Skriniar to depart the club as he has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

“For me it is fundamental that he stays with us. We cannot lose any more pieces. I see him every day calm and serene in Appiano.”

The Nerazzurri captain also discussed Onana’s arrival as he penned a contract with the club after his deal with Ajax expired.

“We all know that everyone wants to play, it is right and healthy that way. It’s normal competition, it’s good for everyone. We are very different, he comes from the Barça school and I from the Italian school. 

“Without going into technicalities, there are different approaches in the position, in the way of positioning in the goal and saving. But also this diversity is good. 

“There are so many close matches, anything can happen, and the coach always decides. But from this competition of ours the team benefits because it has two strong goalkeepers.”

The 38-year-old then commented on his former teammate Lonut Radu, who made a move to Cremonese on a loan deal this summer.

“In Bologna it was a huge disappointment and bitterness, but that’s life. And a season never depends on one game. I didn’t say anything to him that night, I talked to him the next day. 

“I told him that episode will make him grow as a goalkeeper, but more importantly as a man. Ionut needs to know that he will make mistakes, like everyone else, but that he has a chance to show qualities.”

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