Former Inter defender Francesco Colonnese discussed Antonio Conte’s Nerazzurri and the acquisitions made in the transfer window in an interview with Italian radio broadcaster TMW Radio earlier today.
“Inter have strengthened. Hakimi is one of the best full-backs around and Kolarov and Vidal are really strong players too.”
He highlighted how Conte has deployed Croatian forward Ivan Perisic as a left wing back, helping to improve the squad as a whole and help them close the gap with Juventus.
“In addition, he also included Perisic who has returned. The team is very strong, I don’t want to say it, but in my opinion Inter have the strongest squad in Serie A and I think they are superior to Juventus. They have not lost anyone since last year and have added three starters, not rotation players.”
The Italian discussed the importance of Inter’s strong bench and the strong offensive capabilities in the squad.
“The quality of the players makes the difference and right now they are very strong, they have great options. Offensively they are scary, you can see it with the character of their new signings and we have also seen it against Fiorentina.
“They have added strong players in the mentality, that’s why I think they are superior to others.”
The former Nerazzurri defender did not think that Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen will settle in easily in the squad.
“I think he’s going to struggle a lot, I think he doesn’t have room in this Inter team. It becomes difficult to deploy him, with his characteristics, with Inter’s way of playing and the need to change the system if Eriksen is there.”
He was not disappointed with the departure of Uruguayan veteran Diego Godin. The 34-year-old joined Cagliari last week on a permanent deal.
“Conte found him at the club, he didn’t sign him. He never adapted to a 3-5-2 and Conte thought that he didn’t want him in the squad, also because it’s hard to keep a player like that off the pitch.”
Finally, Colonnese thought that Slovakian defender Milan Skriniar would stay with Inter, despite the links to Tottenham.
“In the end I think he will remain, it’s difficult now to find who could pay that much.”
Inter have started the season strongly, winning their first game against Fiorentina 4-3 and their second game against Benevento earlier this week 5-2.
