Former Inter central midfielder Gaby Mudingayi has revealed that he is convinced that Inter can really fight to win the Serie A title come the end of this season.
“This year Inter can really play for the title, I saw them convinced of what they want to do. Inter gave me the impression of a team that this year is more convinced of what they want to do this season. They are more balanced,” he explained in an interview with Italian news outlet FCInter1908.it.
“I think this year they are really aiming to win something, but they must never give up one iota and never let their guard down.
“They must never lower their level of attention because they always play against top teams. It’s true, Inter still has to improve on that level.
“We are still at the beginning, and the Nerazzurri have important players who will be able to make the team make the leap in quality. I don’t know if Inter will win the Scudetto, but they can certainly do something very important.
“I believe that only the Inter name goes alongside the Scudetto because they have an important past and have important players. Inter is Inter.
“This year, more than ever, they must aim for the Scudetto, because they have everything to succeed. They are complete in all departments to be the big favourites.”
Mudingayi then went on to share his belief that Inter made the right decision by keeping Antonio Conte in charge of the team.
“If there is a project like that of Inter’s, it is right to keep the manager who started it. Conte is a very prepared coach, it was right to keep him.
“Let’s not forget that last season Inter finished second in the league and in the final of the Europa League. Therefore, good things have been done and only Conte knows what the flaws of this team really are and how to correct them.”
The former Belgian national team player proceeded by reviewing Inter’s business in the Summer transfer window.
“Very high level purchases have been made. I will give it a rating of 9/10, because having signed Vidal, Kolarov, Hakimi and the others, they will make you make a qualitative leap from all points of view. It was a truly high level market.”
Mudingayi then went on to sing the praises of Arturo Vidal and shared his thoughts on Inter’s acqusition of the Chilean national team midfielder.
“Knowing him and having also played against him, Inter made a huge blow. He is an animal, one that all teams would like. In my opinion, Inter made a really great signing with him.”
The 39-year-old was then asked about Radja Nainggolan and him staying put at Inter despite looking destined to move to Cagliari during the recently closed Summer transfer window.
“He can become a very important option. He is a very useful player and he is good in both phases. He will be able to play his cards in all competitions. Inter have some very strong substitutes this year.”
Mudingayi was then asked about who between Christian Eriksen, Stefano Sensi and Vidal should be deployed as the attacking midfielder when Inter play in a 3-4-1-2 system.
“The skill of the club has been to provide the coach with all these players, who guarantee you many choices and many different options. Conte sees his players from Monday to Saturday and therefore can get clear ideas. We are talking about three players of the highest level.”
Mudingayi then went on to discuss the situation of Eriksen, who has had a difficult time at Inter since his arrival at the club in a circa €20 million deal from Tottenham Hotspur in the most recent January transfer window.
“Conte knows the situation better than all of us who talk about it, he will know when and how to insert him. We all know the qualities of the player but when a manager sees a player in training all week, he always has a clear idea of how to field him on Sunday and whether to field him. We just have to wait.”
