REVIEWED: How is Inter's squad shaping up ahead of the Serie A season?
With Inter less than a month away from ending their transfer window, however, what is their situation? Director of sport Piero Ausilio is a man of many talents, including the ability to bring a player home, generally at the right price (see Kondogbia, Geoffrey). That said, his job hasn't been made any easier (or clearer) by the disagreements between Coach Roberto Mancini and preident rick Thohir, which have muddled the team's strategy somewhat.
Inter also have Financial Fair Play considerations to take into consideration, and will likely be forced to sell first in order to buy this August.
But who do Inter need? And what of the uncertainty surrounding Roberto Mancini's (or Ausilio's) future? Whilst the papers focus on the Coach's contract dispute, this squad continues to look downright shorthanded, despite the signings of Christian Ansaldi, Ever Banega and Caner Erkin.
Let's review the Nerazzurri's squad to gain a better understanding of what is going on:
Goalkeepers - Inter are being weighed down by Samir Handanovic's hefty contract. At 32, Handa is coming off an amazing three months last season, but also a year's worth of declarations about his desire to play Champions League football. The Slovenian doesn't seem to realize that he isn't attracting as much transfer interest as he thinks. Were Inter to sell him well, Salvatore Sirigu could be an option, and he'd be ideal whilst a young goalkeeper (Radu?) is groomed to take over long term. Juan Pablo Carrizo and Tommaso Berni are established as his backups.
Centre backs - It is worrying that Inter haven't improved their arguably weakest area: Joao Miranda and Jeison Murillo are great starters, but the former is ageing, whilst the latter alternated great games with some howlers last season. Murillo has enormous potential, but also made unforgiveable mistakes for someone with his ambitions. Without Juan Jesus, Inter are left with a chasm behind their two starters. Andrea Ranocchia isn't even good enough to be third wheel: his confidence is in pieces, and his blunders are still a major red flag.
Whilst Gary Medel has deputized before, and plays in defence for Chile, Serie A doesn't take prisoners. Christian Ansaldi and Danilo D'Ambrosio culd deputize here, but it's nothing we want to see too often. The market isn't offering any established options, either, likely forcing the Nerazzurri to look to their academy, one of new owners Suning's priorities.
Full-backs - A lot here will depend on what formation Inter adopt, but they at least have quantity, if not quality. Caner Erkin needs to be evaluated, but seems to be a mistake so far, as he takes up a non-EU spot and is on the wrong side of 25.
Ansaldi and D'Ambrosio aren't great players, but can do a job, whilst Yuto Nagatomo always puts a shift in. The hope is that someone else falls in love with the error-prone Japanese international and takes him off our hands.
It would have been great to watch Federico Dimarco strut his stuff for Inter, but he'll be on loan at Empoli this season.
Sime Vrsaljko's departure for Atletico is typical: quality full-backs prefer to tour Europe rather than splutter on the wings at the San Siro, which are overlooked by the hostile over-arching stands.
Midfielders - The real joke here is that Felipe Melo is indispensable, as Inter are completely lacking that quality option in the middle who can dictate the play. Ever Banega is an exceptional buy, but he tends to operate further forward, and his anarchic approach is to be encouraged, not reined in. Gary Medel is a very generous player, but he tends to be slow in the build-up. Geoffrey Kondogbia has been impetuous so far, and has lacked any sharpness in attack.
Marcelo Brozovic could be an all-round player, but seems more interested in playing in attack. Assane Gnoukouri has disappeared, and it may be in the Nerazzurri's interest to buy Axel Witsel, rather than offer money almost at random for strikers. The Belgian international has good vision, and would help the midfield play at a better rhythm. Is it a coincidence that Inter haven't played well since Thiago Motta's departure?
Strikers - If Mauro Icardi leaves, Inter need to swoop for Alvaro Morata or Edinson Cavani immediately. It's as simple as that. Someone of great talent needs to replace Icardi, who may not be appreciated by fans but remains one of the best in the business. Gabigol is a great prospect, but it's excessive to think that he can start next season. Eder could be electrifying, but only if Mancini uses him as Antonio Conte did behind the striker. Nothing should be expected of Stefan Jovetic: if he doesn't work out, too bad; but if he were to return to his levels of old, he could solve a lot of Inter's problems single-handed.
As loved as he is, Rodrigo Palacio is a tad too old and hasn't scored enough goals for the second season in a row. Antonio Candreva – who is reportedly on his way to Inter – would admittedly help the Nerazzurri craft one of the more unpredictable winger partnerships in the league along with Ivan Perisic, who is the best in the world at his position. Which, and we can't emphasize this enough, is not behind the strikers.
As we anticipated, Piero Ausilio has his work cut out. Forza Piero!
Adapted by @EdoDalmonte
