EXCLUSIVE: Analyzing Inter’s best and worse signings under Roberto Mancini
Someone has already left the Nerazzurri side, while others are blazing a trail at the club and are now mainstays under the Italian tactician.
CM.com’s Emanuele Tramacere has analyzed who has left the mark and who has failed to live up to expectations since joining the Serie A giants.
Xherdan Shaqiri – The Swiss International was the first signing of Roberto Mancini’s second spell in Italy. The player had only spent six disappointing months in Serie A before moving to Stoke City last summer for a fee of € 15 million. The same amount of money Inter spent to make his move permanent from Bayern Munich. THUMBS DOWN
Lukas Podolski – The former Arsenal star was more active on his Instagram profile rather than on the pitch as he only managed one goal in six months before completing a Galatasaray summer switch. THUMBS DOWN
Marcelo Brozovic – One of the few quality midfielders Inter have in their squad. His form was a bit too unpredictable at the beginning of his adventure at the San Siro, but the Croatia International is unmovable at this stage. THUMBS UP
Davide Santon – The Italian left-back came back home from Newcastle last summer, but has been struggling with injuries after an encouraging beginning of campaign. Being a product of Inter academy and an Italian footballer he can be very useful in terms of UEFA and Serie A squad list. THUMBS DOWN
Jeison Murillo – Probably one of the finest central defenders of the season. The Colombia International has been playing a vital role in securing Inter’s defense alongside Joao Miranda. His market value has tripled since he joined the San Siro outfit for € 6 million from Granada. THUMBS UP
Geoffrey Kondogbia – Inter’s most expensive signing since Roberto Mancini’s return. He was supposed to be the club’s best midfielder but has failed to live up to his potential. THUMBS DOWN (though there is still room for improvement)
Joao Miranda – When he’s fit and concentrate, he’s one of the best central defenders of the league. The Brazilian is arguably Inter’s most recognized leader and his defensive partnership with Jeison Murillo had been the best of the league at the beginning of the current campaign. THUMBS UP
Felipe Melo – Just like the majority of his teammates, Felipe Melo is now in decline, though the former Galatasaray man was one of the most reliable midfielders at the beginning of the season. THUMBS DOWN
Ivan Perisic – The Croatia International took a while to settle in well at the club after moving from Wolfsburg, but is now a mainstay of the Nerazzurri squad, having been directly involved in 14 goals for his side this season. His talent has attracted the interest of Premier League giants Chelsea. THUMBS UP
Martin Montoya – He left the team in January after only six months at the club. THUMBS DOWN
Stevan Jovetic – Scorer of three goals in Inter’s first two games this season, the Montenegro International has slowed down since then also due to lack of understanding between him and Mauro Icardi. Inter will be ‘forced’ to make the striker’s move permanent at the end of the campaign, but the Montenegro International might end up like Xherdan Shaqiri did last summer. THUMBS DOWN
Adem Ljajic – His bright talent is clouded by his unpredictable form. Having joined Inter on loan with an € 11 million buy-out clause, the Nerazzurri won’t make his switch permanent, sending him back to AS Roma. THUMBS DOWN
Alex Telles – Just like Adem Ljajic, he will go back to Galatasaray after a disappointing season. THUMBS DOWN
Jonathan Biabiany – The former Parma winger could be a good back-up to senior players. After recovering a heart problem, he proved himself a pacey winger who can cause all sort of troubles to Inter’s opponents. THUMBS UP
Eder – Inter had attempted to sign him in summer 2014, before the Brazilian-born striker with Italian passport completed a € 13 million January switch from Sampdoria, where he had scored 13 goals in the first part of the campaign. His role at Inter is still unclear. Eder has failed to create any danger in front of the opponents’ goal so far, even if most of times he has been tasked with defensive duties. THUMBS DOWN
Emanuele Tramacere @TramacEma, translated by Lorenzo Bettoni @lorebetto
