Just two weeks remain until Walter Mazzarri’s first preseason with Inter commences at Pinzolo; there are still a number of issues that will need to be resolved.
1. Who will play in the back three?
Walter Samuel has extended his contract and Hugo Campagnaro will shortly be joining his former boss Mazzarri in Milan. Juan Jesus will return together with former Inter youth product Marco Andreolli who has been drafted in on a free transfer from Chievo. The question mark is clearly Andrea Ranocchia with rumours of a large bid from Russia. Even if the Italian international stays, the lack of a ball playing defender is obvious to see and something Mazzarri will be keen to address.
2. Which player will be sacrificed so that Inter can invest?
With cash in short supply, Inter have already started to clear out some of the players that weren’t in the plans of their new coach. Luca Caldirola became the second youngster Inter have sold to a Bundesliga club in this mercato after he joined Weder Bremen for around €2 million. Silvestre, Cassano, Stankovic and Chivu could be the next four players through the exit door. These savings in wages may not be enough and many have speculated that one major player will need to leave in order to facilitate the purchases Mazzarri has in mind. Despite his agent insisting otherwise Fredy Guarin has been linked with moves away from the club all summer. He seems the obvious choice to leave but one of the most wanted men in world football is goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. Could Inter be forced to sell their prize asset if a club like Barcelona came calling?
3. Four strikers or five?
Ishak Belfodil will join Rodrigo Palacio, Mauro Icardi and Diego Milito (once he recovers from injury) as the Nerazzurri’s top four attackers this season. However there have been some rumblings that a fifth striker could arrive. Some reports have suggested names such as Bologna’s Alberto Gilardino as a possible choice but there remains a possibility that Samuele Longo could cover until the return of Il Principe. After the mayhem that occurred up front for Inter towards the end of last season it’s doubtful that Mazzarri will leave himself short of options to start this campaign.
4. What to do with Alfred Duncan?
Currently away on International duty with Ghana at the U20 World Cup in Turkey, Duncan appears to be the most advanced of Inter’s crop of Primavera products. After a loan to Serie B side Livorno in which he helped them gain promotion, the tough tackling Ghanaian will need plenty of playing time this season. If this is something that Walter Mazzarri can’t offer him another loan period but this time in Serie A could be the most beneficial solution for everyone.
5. Who will play on the wing?
Inter have been heavily linked with wing backs throughout this mercato, it’s being widely reported that they have come to an agreement with Mauricio Isla’s agents but must now deal with Juventus for their half of the player. Speculation has been rife as to whether Alvaro Pereira & the much maligned Jonathan will remain at the club but one thing is for certain: With Mazzarri playing a system which requires a wide player on each side there are some important decisions to be made as the training camp approaches. Zuniga and Kolarov are two more names to be added to an ever-growing list of players linked to Mazzarri’s side. It has even been suggested today that a loan move could be possible for Manchester City’s Micah Richards.
The clock is ticking and Inter need to move ahead with purpose and clarity if they are to avoid the mistakes made in previous mercato’s where unplanned, last minute deals cost them dearly on and off the pitch.