Inter legend Ivan Cordoba spoke in length to CalcioMercato.com on a range of Inter related topics ahead of this weekend’s Milan derby.

“How long do I think it will take for Inter to have the scudetto goal instead of just Champions League goal? I often find myself talking about this thing and I say that in my opinion all those who come to Inter must do so to get to the top, regardless of the reconstructions and changes of ownership. If you play football and get to Inter, you have to want to win, otherwise it makes no sense. This is a club that offers you the possibility, if not to triumph, at least to fight to the end. If then at the end of the season, after having put it all, you can not get first, then give compliments to others but you still have to bother until the final whistle of the last game.”

Cordoba proceeded to discuss Mauro Icardi’s captaincy and slammed Inter’s current squad and modern day footballers in general.

“It can’t be a problem that a player scores 25 goals a season, but it’s important to understand what it means to play for this club. Today’s players are more concerned about their followers than what they do on the pitch. They think that having 400m followers is enough, but it’s not. You have to go out on the pitch and work hard because you don’t win titles with followers. It’s essential that you return to the things that are essential, which is playing and training. At the end of training, it’s not essential to pick up your phone and see how many likes you get from publishing a picture before entering the field. Back on Icardi, I think Inter could’ve waited longer before giving him the captain’s armband so that he could’ve matured better and grown more with the club. If he’d become captain after a few years, he’d certainly have given a different impression.”

The defender then discussed whether or not he believes Suning may call upon some of the Triplete heroes to bring success back to San Siro and his relationship with Massimo Moratti.

“I do not know what their projects are because I have not worked with them, but I can talk about Moratti and I think about all those times when he has been criticised for having a direct relationship with the players. But the truth is that when you went to him for an interview you came out feeling stronger. “How can I go on the pitch and not play for a president like that?” I kept repeating to myself.”

I still remember when one day, before a derby, he took me aside and told me: “Ivan, to earn the esteem of the Interisti good play is not necessary, these people just want you to be willing to give your soul  and to fight for Inter. Ivan, if you make a mistake believe me, it’s not a problem, you just have to give your soul for them.” From that moment on I understood everything.”

Cordoba, who spent 12 years with Inter, then spoke on Milan Skriniar and what he thinks of Inter’s Slovakian wall at the back.

“We are talking about a very young player and this is the most important thing. He does not lack personality and has already shown that he is ready for Inter. I hope that the club keeps him and that he wants to stay in the Nerazzurri shirt for a long time too.”

He concluded the long interview by speaking on Lautaro Martinez, the Argentine starlet who is reportedly set to join Inter this summer.

“I do not know him very well, but Diego Milito has spoken highly of him and for me this is already a guarantee.”