2024/2025 Defenders Rumours Thread

[Gal]

Will we start to miss Suning after only 2 months?

It was the same with them. As I stated from the very start, Oaktree would never help us finance players and if you don’t profit on your assets of value, then this is what you get… either that or primavera players brought up to the first team, because we have money for nothing more, especially when it cones for temporary solutions.

This is exactly why you sell players when they reach max value and not run them out of value. Because they both finance replacement and better prospects on other positions, yes it gives a dip in here and now performance but it’s either that scenario or be lucked in a scenario where you only can choose of different garbage bins. While Inter overall financial isn’t bad, it’s also a place that doesn’t allow investment in the squad to any noticeable degree. For that scenario to happen it requires massive improvement on revenue and that is something that happens over a very long horizon. In the mean time player sales is what finance your market, meaning selling high value assets is a necessity, because you eventually run out of investment potential if you run the value down on your assets, and has not drastically increased revenue in the meantime

 

[PHM1605]

No we don't, buchanan was played in lwb, and it's clear from the management and inzaghi what type of player we want. Ausilio even said it explicitly: left defensive winger.

More reason to stay away from RicRod. Did you even what him played? Too slow and too weak to run ups and downs, covering too much space is killing him.

Torino is playing the same tactics as Inter but they don't trust him on flank for a reason. He was a center-back. Still not good enough and he is unemployed.

 

[Il Drago]

I have been following Rodriguez since his Wolfsburg days and i can firmly say he can't play lwb. Not only now that he's old but at any stage of his career.

Even in his prime he was a solid lb and he had a decent crossing but he never had the stamina and the quality in the attacking third to play the whole side. They realized it fast at Wolfsburg in his last months at the club when they switched to a back 3 and they instantly used him as lcb. When he joined Milan in Fassone-Mirabelli summer they switched to a back 3 in order to fit Bonucci and they used Rodriguez as a lwb. It was a disaster as i am sure many remember. Even in Italy they eventually realized the guy could only play lcb/lb and he could somehow recover at Torino but he never reached the highs of his past. I believe his career would have been different if he had joined Inter instead as we were playing with a back 4 at the time but it is only my impression and it probably doesn't interest anyone.

I used to be a fan of the guy and there was a time i wanted him at Inter but i wouldn't be very keen to see him at the club now. He can hold his position so he wouldn't be a disaster like Kolarov or Alonso and he has good set pieces but he isn't a great defender and he barely brings anything to our attacking game. It would be a low quality signing.

 

[Gal]

I agree with the above, definitely a low quality solution but it’s a temporary one, so I’m not gonna cry over a 1 year solution as I didn’t with the others. But at some point you do get worn down by all these one year temporary fixes

 

[RotterdamNerazzurri]

No offense, but this is where people live in illusion. He can't offer you the same, no matter how much people dis rodriguez and hype up zanotti. They don't even play in the same position and even if they did, experience on a certain level is a much more valuable asset than some people think...

How many serious minutes played Klaassen past season? 196 in the Serie A and 82 in the Champions League. Most minutes he played we where already leading comfortable (4-0 or 3-0). You don’t think we could use Frattesi or Asllani (or even Akinsanmiro, for that matter) in those cases? Sporting wise he offered nothing and he costed us like 2 mln.

Buchanan also didn’t got any serious playing time 151 minutes in 6 months. We have to replace him for 3/4 months. You don’t think Zanotti can do the job and go on loan somewhere else in january?

 

[vex]

You don’t think Zanotti can do the job and go on loan somewhere else in january?

No, he is simply not good enough for our current level, and even if he was you don't do that to a young player aka treat him like the disposable, bring him for a few months and leave him come january. He needs stability to develop, something he will not get here, being a temporary fix until buchanan gets fit.

 

[PHM1605]

Reading this thread explains why Inter operates on negative every year. We prefer spending millions to saving money, only for the sake of spending. Even though that's only a Torino reject.

That also explains why youngsters lives here suck. Loaning to eternity. Playing with kids is like playing with fire, as if they are eager to net an own-goal hattrick in those few minutes (?!?)

Man, we still have Vanheusden, who is Liege's captain and called up for Belgium national team, if you don't like Zanotti.

 

[CraigM]

There was deemed to be a problem when early last season RWB Cuadrado was declared out for basically the rest of the campaign. The team got by just fine in the first-half of the season with Dumfries and Darmian and very occasionally Bisseck playing that role. In comes Buchanan purportedly to replace Buchanan, yet rarely plays and when he does it's on the left side where the team is fairly well-served with Di Marco and Carlos Augusto. Then Cuadrado comes back late in the campaign and plays more than his replacement, despite everyone knowing he will leave in the summer.

A lot of this made no sense to me and signing someone specifically to replace him for 4 months makes no sense when he was very much on the fringes anyway. The weakest link at the moment is Darmian as the back up RWB, so if you were looking to bring in anyone then surely it should be someone to replace him, especially as it seems really unlikely that when Buchanan does return that he will be considered a right-sided player anymore.

So nothing against Ricardo Rodriguez, but what's the point of him as a reserve LCB when Acerbi can do this, Carlos Augusto too at a push. The need is a younger, high-quality CB and Buchanan's injury changes nothing here.

 

[NimAraya]

No, he is simply not good enough for our current level, and even if he was you don't do that to a young player aka treat him like the disposable, bring him for a few months and leave him come january. He needs stability to develop, something he will not get here, being a temporary fix until buchanan gets fit.

And Inter and Italians in general are not a good example as for how we should treat the youngsters. How good enough were the likes of Bellanova, Buchanan, Correa, Kolarov, Gagliardini, Vecino, Vidal, Naingolann and etc for our level when we spent so much for them, gave them playing time and received shit in return? Why the likes of Zanotti, Carboni, Fabbian and etc should be ignored and labeled "not ready enough" when we spent so much more on unworthy players with no development and no resale value? What sort of fuck up policy is that when we're bleeding money every year for this same approach?

 

[vex]

Why the likes of Zanotti, Carboni, Fabbian and etc should be ignored and labeled "not ready enough" when we spent so much more on unworthy players with no development and no resale value? What sort of fuck up policy is that when we're bleeding money every year for this same approach?

They are not good enough. You are living in a dreamland if you think if someone played a decent season in belgium or swiss league, they are ready for inter. How many really great players came from our primavera in recent years that are capable of playing in inter that fights for trophies? Di marco and maybe zaniolo... That's it... Everyone else disappeared in obscurity regarding the levels we need to stay afloat, and it has nothing to do with their playing time, they had more than enough playing time in the clubs they played for and everything to do with the actual quality. Quality always rises to the top, and they didn't have any FOR THE LEVELS WE NEED.

Our primavera is great at producing lower table seria a and seria b players, and people need to finally realize that. Once in a blue moon you get someone like zaniolo or di marco whose talent is easily recognized and that's it.

 

[CafeCordoba]

They are not good enough. You are living in a dreamland if you think if someone played a decent season in belgium or swiss league, they are ready for inter. How many really great players came from our primavera in recent years that are capable of playing in inter that fights for trophies? Di marco and maybe zaniolo... That's it... Everyone else disappeared in obscurity regarding the levels we need to stay afloat, and it has nothing to do with their playing time, they had more than enough playing time in the clubs they played for and everything to do with the actual quality. Quality always rises to the top, and they didn't have any FOR THE LEVELS WE NEED.

Our primavera is great at producing lower table seria a and seria b players, and people need to finally realize that. Once in a blue moon you get someone like zaniolo or di marco whose talent is easily recognized and that's it.

So much this.

And even with Dimarco, it required visit to Swiss league and two loans inside Italy before he was ready.

Under appreciation of experience here is stunning. What experience really mean? It means player has phased different and certain situations in games. And enough amount to understand how to play those situations (this then depends on player how quick learner is he or does he learn certain things ever).

To me, in Italy the experience matters more than maybe some other leagues because in general the tactical level of the game played is higher. This leads to the situation where it's harder to succeed with pure talent and skill unless you are really, really good.

Results are above anything, coaches have huge pressure to get results, from clubs, fans, media. So unless you have extremely talented young player, you are rather using experienced player who has bigger chances or understanding the system, the style of play, the requirements in the position and role etc etc.

Maybe the B team route is a way to mitigate this issue (I think this is an issue nationwide) as clubs can control the players and their development even better, integrate them more easily to the first team without losing the ability to play the young player in senior level and this way maybe fasten the pipeline from youth levels to first team.

 

[RotterdamNerazzurri]

They are not good enough. You are living in a dreamland if you think if someone played a decent season in belgium or swiss league, they are ready for inter. How many really great players came from our primavera in recent years that are capable of playing in inter that fights for trophies? Di marco and maybe zaniolo... That's it... Everyone else disappeared in obscurity regarding the levels we need to stay afloat, and it has nothing to do with their playing time, they had more than enough playing time in the clubs they played for and everything to do with the actual quality. Quality always rises to the top, and they didn't have any FOR THE LEVELS WE NEED.

Our primavera is great at producing lower table seria a and seria b players, and people need to finally realize that. Once in a blue moon you get someone like zaniolo or di marco whose talent is easily recognized and that's it.

Few players who have come from our youth teams have made it to the top of world football. However, I do not agree that 'a lack of talent' is presented as a true fact and that this is the exact reason why they did not make it.

Circumstances play a crucial role in the development of talent. The years from 16 to 20 are often crucial when it comes to the development of top talent. If a talent stands still in their development for a year, for whatever reason, this has consequences. We, Inter, drop the ball during these crucial years of development. It is not a given that Talent A, who did not make it at Inter, would not have succeeded at Ajax or Barcelona under different (better) circumstances.

In the top of football, the differences between those who make it and those who ultimately don't are incredibly small.

I dare say that a player like Dumfries, if he had come from our own youth academy, would never have become the footballer he is today. By taking gradual steps, having good guidance, and a good mentality, he stands where he is now. And a player like Gavi, do you think he would have had the same opportunities with us as he has had at Barcelona and thus been of the same level? I am almost certain not.

The truly exceptional talents like Messi and Ronaldo make it everywhere, regardless of circumstances. Many others also need a bit of luck (getting certain opportunities at the right time), trust, and guidance to reach the heights of their potential.

And that is exactly where Inter goes wrong. We don’t do everything in our power (or actually do very little) to guide talents to the top of their potential.

 

[CraigM]

A sizeable part of the reluctance to use younger players is because the mentality and demands of winning, or trying to win, have historically been so strong in Italy. While other major Leagues have caught up in recent years, Italy was always historically the toughest on firing coaches unapologetically early because they lost a few games. Self-preservation brings conservatism and little motivation to blood young players for a future the coach would not be a part of, not when there are older players who are more predictable and dependable in the here and now.

While we have seen some clubs like Empoli and Atalanta boast a great record of youth development, I think this did not really register with the major clubs because clubs packed full of young talent are never ones with major demands on them to win trophies. Atalanta are now showing they can do both and the Juventus reshaping is very interesting too and a model Inter really need to follow.

 

[wera]

We don't need Zanotti or Fabbian to be starter quality, just to not shit the bed when they come on for 20-30 minutes.

For Fabbian I am sure he would slot in easily with this midfield, while Zanotti I know less about but at least he is getting some hype compared to a lot of other loanees.

There are two options. If Bijol is not more than 15m, we have more money to spend on a RWB. If we want to bring a CB that costs more, Zanotti is a okayish 3rd option for the wing.

 

[PHM1605]

So much this.

And even with Dimarco, it required visit to Swiss league and two loans inside Italy before he was ready.

Under appreciation of experience here is stunning. What experience really mean? It means player has phased different and certain situations in games. And enough amount to understand how to play those situations (this then depends on player how quick learner is he or does he learn certain things ever).

To me, in Italy the experience matters more than maybe some other leagues because in general the tactical level of the game played is higher. This leads to the situation where it's harder to succeed with pure talent and skill unless you are really, really good.

Results are above anything, coaches have huge pressure to get results, from clubs, fans, media. So unless you have extremely talented young player, you are rather using experienced player who has bigger chances or understanding the system, the style of play, the requirements in the position and role etc etc.

Maybe the B team route is a way to mitigate this issue (I think this is an issue nationwide) as clubs can control the players and their development even better, integrate them more easily to the first team without losing the ability to play the young player in senior level and this way maybe fasten the pipeline from youth levels to first team.

Here is where the misunderstanding is going...some here are dragging the point to the other polar.

- nobody is asking a kid to start ahead of Bastoni, or even a first-sub role of Augusto. But in meaningless minutes at best, when a win is secured already with 3-4 goals lead.

- Oaktree isn't demanding us to sign kids only. But reduce the average age, that means there have already been enough "experience" to carry the team.

- nobody is expecting a kid to set the league on fire. But to save cost; us not buying craps already save a lot of money.

You guys need to realize that Inter don't lack veterans. We lack fresh blood; whom raise their value overtime after being nurtured with minutes and can be cashed on later for every-single-positive thing they'll do on the pitch, under the shirt of a big club. Wonder why Juve is getting 10m for fucking Illing-Junior? He has been "advertised" the season before.

This is the point again, we don't need "experience" to do safe side- or backpass. For the only job being expected is eating the leftovers minutes, age doesn't matter. That's exactly what Klaassen did and RR'll do if he comes.

 

[NimAraya]

They are not good enough. You are living in a dreamland if you think if someone played a decent season in belgium or swiss league, they are ready for inter. How many really great players came from our primavera in recent years that are capable of playing in inter that fights for trophies? Di marco and maybe zaniolo... That's it... Everyone else disappeared in obscurity regarding the levels we need to stay afloat, and it has nothing to do with their playing time, they had more than enough playing time in the clubs they played for and everything to do with the actual quality. Quality always rises to the top, and they didn't have any FOR THE LEVELS WE NEED.

Our primavera is great at producing lower table seria a and seria b players, and people need to finally realize that. Once in a blue moon you get someone like zaniolo or di marco whose talent is easily recognized and that's it.

I'm not living in a dreamland, you are just trying to misinterpret what I said to something I didn't mean nor said. I'm not gonna open up this discussion again, as it's been talked enough before. But Inter and Italians in general need to rethink their mindset about the development of youth and the use of their resources. It doesn't mean the youngsters need to be starters and regulars when they're not good enough. But when you're bleeding money every year and claim to have no money and yet go on and pay tens of millions for scrubs like Arnautovic for little to no reward in return, you're doing something wrong and we need to stop sugarcoating this approach. I don't expect someone like Zanotti anything more than what he is as a player. But when I see how much we paid for the likes of Bellanova and Buchanan and what we got from them on the pitch, I don't see why Zanotti cannot fill that role for us when every million is important in our current financial situation. That's the point I'm trying to make.

 

[IM21]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1811056878320849134

 

[DARi0]

Thank God no Ricky - another dodged bullet.

From a financial perspective it seems smart to spend on a younger profile that Inter can afford.

Like €15M on Bijol - 25 years old means he's got room to develop and excellent resale value potential. Other clubs are already following him (Wolfsburg, Stuttgart and Nottingham Forest..)

 

[IM21]

Oaktree probably wants a young prospect thats already pretty good, but costs like 2M... Good luck finding that.

 

[ADRossi]

Oaktree probably wants a young prospect thats already pretty good, but costs like 2M... Good luck finding that.

They're basically asking for another Bisseck.