Man City issued Romelu Lukaku warning ahead of Champions League showdown

Two of Patrick Vieira’s former clubs face off in Saturday night’s Champions League final in Istanbul as Man City look to complete the treble

Romelu Lukaku needs to be shown ‘more love’ from coaches to get the best out of him.

So says former Inter Milan and Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira, who has sounded a warning to Pep Guardiola’s side ahead of Saturday night’s Champions League final. Lukaku was shipped out on loan to the Serie A side after struggling at Chelsea last season under Thomas Tuchel where he managed just eight Premier League goals.

The big Belgian striker has scored four times in his last six matches, and Inter reportedly want to keep him at the San Siro beyond the end of the campaign. Vieira insists Lukaku is still a top-class striker but needs an arm around his shoulder to bring out his best form.

He said: “There is no doubt about Lukaku as a player. He’s a top international striker, has the ability to score goals and be really strong and have an impact on the opposition. He went through some difficult periods because I believe being a striker is all about confidence.

“I think he needs to be shown more love from coaches to allow him to express himself, but he’s an important player for Inter. He went through a difficult period but he’s getting back to his best in an important period, scoring goals and having an impact. They have strong players that can hurt any defence. I expect him to finish the season well and rebuild himself for next season.”

Vieira won a hat-trick of Serie A titles at Inter before swapping the Italy for the Etihad in 2010. He brought the curtain down on his illustrious career back in England, helping City end a 35-year trophy drought as they won the FA Cup. Guardiola has since transformed City’s fortunes and they will be bidding to complete the treble in Istanbul after their Premier League title triumph and last weekend’s win over Manchester United at Wembley.

Vieira added: “I think winning the European competition will define them as the best team in Europe but there is a different way of showing you are the best team. They won the domestic league, they won the FA Cup but it’s also about the way they play the game. Most fans will enjoy watching them – the way they play people will fall in love with Manchester City.”