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This article is part of Football FanCast's Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers...

As quoted by Sky Sports, Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has revealed Romelu Lukaku has never looked happier.

What did he say?

The former Manchester United star was the subject of heavy transfer scrutiny this summer, before finally completing a move to Serie A giants Inter on deadline day.

Lukaku has scored two goals in two games for the Italian side, and Martinez has now admitted he has never seen the forward look more at ease with his career.

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He said: "This is the first time I have seen him free and happy. Going back to many camps I have not seen Rom so focused, so happy, so refreshed by the new challenge.

"I think he is now ready to face one of the biggest footballing chapters in his career with the Inter Milan move. And he is very driven to be as good as he can for the national team, so I have been very impressed with his happiness and the way he is looking forward to the football ahead.

"He was in a team with expectations to win at Anderlecht with Champions League participation (on top of that). Then he had a big transfer to Chelsea. As you know he had his time at West Brom, then a big transfer fee to Everton, another big transfer fee to Manchester United and now to Inter. Romelu does not get affected, he is one of the most driven boys you are going to see."

Happiness is key

A multi-million pound earning footballer described as being "free and happy" for the first time in a long time. It really does feel a bit nauseating doesn't it? Nevertheless, Martinez's words on Lukaku provide a major explanation behind why the Belgian struggled at United.

Ensuring that a player is happy and in tune with the rest of the squad goes a long way to bringing the best out of them. After an impressive first season, the forward simply couldn't hit top gear last year, and his revelations on NBA player Josh Hart's podcast said it all. This was a man who didn't feel appreciated at Old Trafford.

At Inter, Antonio Conte has laid out the red carpet for him and showered him with praise from day one. Everything is in place for him to succeed, and that's something United could seriously have taken pointers from.

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