Inter manager Luciano Spalletti has confirmed that club captain Mauro Icardi will not be leaving the club this summer and backed Andrea Ranocchia for his abiliity to play a lot of games despite the pending arrival of Stefan de Vrij on a free transfer.
“Icardi won’t leave, he’ll stay with us because he’s an important player. The group that I have available to me is exceptional, only on a few occasions in my career have I seen such professional players,” Spalletti told guests at an Inter Club Tuscany event.
“Andrea Ranocchia is a really strong player. He has been unlucky on some occasions but he has a great personality and has the ability play a large number of matches.”
Spalletti proceeded to praise the ongoing work of Inter’s director’s on the transfer market who have secured the aforementioned de Vrij, Kwadwo Asamoah, Lautaro Martinez and all but secured the signing of Radja Nainggolan.
“Our directors are working in the right way. Inter as a club is working in the right way. There are two teams, the one that takes to the pitch and another one off it and both are top quality. We’re not counting our chickens before they’ve hatched. It can be seen that work is different compared to previous years. There’s less talk and more action. There are rules to be respected and we have to learn to deal with this and be prepared. We’re doing an important job, there’s a limit that we have to deal with on the Champions League squad list and we have to pay consideration to this, in this regard the directors are working very well.”
Spalletti also thanked the fans for their support, particularly during when Inter hit their rough patch.
“As fans, I thank you because you were always there, even during that difficult period. You were determined. Thanks! That’s in my name and that of the team. You’ve always shown us the way with your passion. To be here, among what Inter truly represents really is wonderful! The final match was a dream, an important landmark. Now, we have to keep pushing hard. Even during the holidays, you have to keep building for next season. Our directors Ausilio and Gardini are doing some important work, this is their moment to add pieces to the team that live up to what the fans have shown.”
