Inter's youth problem: Pioli be able to work with Gnoukouri, Miangue and Gabigol? | by Fede Albrizio
Stefano Pioli’s recent arrival can’t have been easy, the current situation at Inter a bit of a pandora’s box, with the side lingering in 9th place in Serie A, but recovering from Frank De Boer’s sacking with a win over Crotone.
The former Lazio Coach won’t get an easy first crack of the whip, the Nerazzurri having to face Milan after the international break.
Beyond the difficulty of the opposition, there’s another comparison which doesn’t make Inter come off too well: their opponents are beginning to fill their First Xi with young, Italian talents, Donnarumma, Romagnoli, Locatelli and Niang being prime example.
Beyond Joao Mario and Mauro Icardi, the Beneamata is strugging to do the same.
This is another thing that Pioli will have to sort out. The good news is that the former Lazio gaffer helped launch the careers of Felipe Anderson (who was reputed a flop at the time) and Danilo Cataldi.
The problem, however, is that there isn’t a lot of room for the Nerazzurri’s youngsters. Senna Miangue impressed most at left-back in his cameo appearance against Juventus, but has since gone back to playing for the Primavera.
It looks like he will stay with Inter this year, even though the Nerazzurri are likely planning another signing at the position.
Assane Gnoukouri is another player who has shined in the little time afforded him this year, but it’s hard to see either Ever Banega or Marcelo Brozovic be dropped, while Geoffrey Kondogbia and Marcelo Brozovic are still fighting for a place in the middle.
Close to leaving for Pescara last summer, Gnoukouri is being sounded out by a number of clubs for a January loan. He’s made seven appearances so far, three in the Europa League.
Gabigol, for his part, hasn’t done much ot justify his €29 million pricetag, especially as he’s only played 16 minutes.
Not trusted by Frank De Boer (Joao Miranda recently admitted that he’s struggling with the tactical side of the game), Gabigol did at least receive some good feedback in a press conference from Pioli, who said that he “is training well, and will have his chances”.
The 20-year-old has, however, got to show something more, having even showed up to Milan out of shape. A number of English sides are considering grabbing him on loan, while it cannot be excluded that Inter could loan Barbosa out to a smaller Italian club so that he can shine once more.
