Legendary Inter defender Riccardo Ferri, who currently is a pundit on Premium Sport on Italian TV, gave a long exclusive interview to FcInterNews, on a wide variety of subjects concerning the Nerazzurri.

Ferri began by adressing the crisis at the club regarding fit central defenders stating that: “with all due respect to Lombardini it is a matter of maturity that one needs to go through in the team. Spalletti knows perfectly well what the Primavera defender is capable of doing right now. If he has chosen to play Santon it is because he thinks that is the best solution which offers him the most guarantees. I wish Lombardi and Vanheusden an important future, they are quality players that have a bright future ahead of them.

“Vanheusden was the best defender in the Viareggio tournament and one of the best players in the Primavera league. To play at the San Siro however is another thing entirely. You can really only understand this if you have lived through it and only then do you know if you can shoulder the weight. We cannot know today if how well he would have been able to limit the emergency. Many great talented players have tried and failed at what has been an insurmountable challenge in playing at the San Sir. This is the only way to know if Vanheusden is ready” Ferri continued.

Ferri, who was part of the record breaking 1988/1989 Inter dei record side, was asked if given the situation Alessandro Bastoni should be brought in sooner from Atalanta to act as cover in defense to which Ferri stated: “He is a very talented player and Suning are looking towards the future by signing him as Inter are guaranteed a great player in the future. Right now however I am doubtful if he can be useful given that he has hardly played anything at Atalanta. However, if there is a need for him to fill the vacant spots for a starting player then the time to include him in the first team must be shortened.”

The former Sampdoria defender was asked about Luciano Spalletti’s outburst in TV after the Fiorentina match where Spalletti seemed irritated at promises from the club not being kept: “It is right that he reacts like this, it is clear that you can become irriated by a lack of coherence. You need to put yourself in his shoes. He needs to protect the balance of the dressing room.”

Moving on to which part of the squad that needs strengthening Ferri stated that: “The project that Suning has undertaken is young as it started last year. I think that a central attacking midfielder is lacking who can play close to Icardi and who can hurt teams through the middle. You need someone who can involve the wing players but also able to score himself. Inter need a top player, like Nainggolan. However, the transfer market in January doesn’t offer a long list of suitable candidates.

“I am a proponent of Mkhitaryan although Pastore and Ramires both have the quality that Spalletti needs in his team. With regards to Deulofeu, you need to have alternatives on the wings if you’re trying to qualify for European football. The January transfer window should stabilize the team until June whilst the summer transfer window should be used to bring in the players that can help Inter compete on many fronts” Ferri analyzed.

“I have always thought that there are 6 teams who are fighting over 4 Champions League places so I think Inter must improve the squad. If you can bring in players to help Perisic, Icardi and Candreva score goals it would be great because Inter is built on their attackign players. The team lacks a midfield that scores regularly. If Inter qualify for the Champions League I think Suning have budgeted a major investment to make the club competitive with the rest of the big clubs in Europe.”

In conclusion Ferri was asked how this season should be viewed stating that: “this is year zero for Inter. We are all positively surprised by what the team has done as it has been above expectations. Now the project must continue to return to the top.”