OPINION: Inter’s use of Assane Gnoukouri reflects mentality of Serie A clubs
So why wasn’t he given any playing time at all this season?
Gnoukouri has just played 57 minutes this term. He has played more games with the Primavera team rather than with his senior teammates, quite a step back on his career. Of course the player did not expected to be a regular starter at the beginning of the season, but which was Inter’s plan to develop such an interesting prospect?
Gnoukouri’s lack of playing time sounds a bit weird, especially considering the Nerazzurri ’s struggles in the middle of the pitch this term. There has been a time this season Gary Medel and Felipe Melo clearly needed some rest. Yet again, why was the veteran Felipe Melo given the opportunity to play and make mistakes, while the young Gnoukouri was never given any chance?
Inter’s strategy has been unintelligible. Genoa wanted to sign the central midfielder on loan last January and with Fredy Guarin who completed a € 14 million move to China in the same transfer window, everyone thought Gnoukouri would have been given a chance to shine, but, as we noticed, that was not the case.
However, it is worth adding that the Nerazzurri ’s mentality is still quite popular among most of Serie A clubs.
Young players should be given more time to play and make mistakes. Fail again, fail better, one would say, but this doesn’t happen in Serie A, a league where the best midfielders are not top-class players such as Luka Modric or Toni Kroos , but experienced footballers on the decline.
CM.com staff, translated by Lorenzo Bettoni @lorebetto
