‘Think of Kluivert’: Vieri shares view on criticisms of £77m Tottenham target

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Christian Vieri has told BoboTV that some of the criticisms aimed at Inter Milan striker and Tottenham transfer target Lautaro Martinez are unjust, via quotes by TuttoMercatoWEB.

The Nerazzurri forward has come in for criticism from corners in Italy after failing to score during any of his six appearances, all starts, through the Champions League group stage.

Inter Milan finished Group D as runners-up to Real Madrid after a 2-0 loss at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday. They will now be an unseeded side in Monday’s round of 16 draw.

Martinez played 66-minutes in Spain before Simone Inzaghi replaced the centre-forward with Roberto Gagliardini with his fifth substitution. It marked the fifth time in the group stage that the 24-year-old failed to play the full 90 this season.

Tottenham target Martinez lethal in Serie A, but not the Champions League

Martinez has enjoyed a lethal Serie A season so far, but could not replicate his efforts in the Champions League. He has eight goals in 14 games, including three in his last three games.

Inzaghi even rested the Argentine against Roma ahead of their must-win trip to Madrid to top Group D. He will now hope for a response when Cagliari visit the San Siro on Sunday.

Martinez’s efforts so far this season have maintained Tottenham’s interest in a transfer for the Inter Milan striker, too. Eurosport expect Spurs will revive their pursuit next year after hiring Antonio Conte. The Italian struck a good bond with Martinez while at the Nerazzurri.

Tottenham failed to sign Martinez following his Serie A winning efforts under Conte at Inter Milan this summer. Fabrizio Romano noted they offered €70m (£60m) with a further €20m (£17m) in add-ons. But Romelu Lukaku’s move to Chelsea put an end to their hopes.

Vieri responds to criticisms of Martinez

Inter Milan and Italy icon Vieri has now responded to some of the criticisms aimed toward Tottenham transfer target Martinez. He suggests some in Italy are too quick to lament the forward, similar to Justin Kluivert before he joined Barcelona.

“In Italy, they break if Lautaro doesn’t score for two games, but the Argentine remains a Madonna player,” Vieri said.

“It takes time and calm, all abroad there is patience unlike Italy. Think of Kluivert: in Italy they said he had to stop, then he went to Barcelona as a protagonist.”