Italian football journalist Sandro Piccinini has shared his belief as to why Inter manager Antonio Conte has been a lot calmer this year compared to last year, which was his first year in charge of Inter.
“Conte is more serene because beyond the confrontation he had with the club, he is aware of having a strong team, perhaps the strongest,” he explained whilst present in the studios of Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia during their ‘Sky Calcio Club’ show yesterday.
Piccinini went on to add: “He knows the potential is there, and this reassures the coach. He is a craftsman, he knows how to shape a team, he knows that sooner or later this potential will come out.
“With more attention in the middle of the field, he knows where to go. His outbursts at the end of the season had been excessive and had put the environment in difficulty but the management kept their promises in the market.”
Piccinini proceeded to discuss the situation of Inter attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen and what he thinks would allow the Danish national team player to get back to his previous levels.
“If Eriksen played in a mid-level team, sure of playing 20 games and regaining confidence, he would go back to what he used to be.
“Except that this cannot be done in a great team, because if you take a break the coach looks to the bench and takes you out of the game.”
Piccinini then spoke on how things are different for Eriksen compared to his time at former employers Tottenham Hotspur player, who he left for Inter in the January transfer window.
“He has things that maybe others don’t. He has a personality problem. He is a potential leader, a delegate, others must recognise him.
“Some players don’t need this. He does not feel confidence in him at Inter. At Tottenham they made him feel important, but not here.”
Since he joined Inter in a circa €20 million deal, Eriksen has made 31 appearances across all competitions to date, in which he has scored four goals and tallied three assists for his teammates.
This season he has made five appearances but has no goal contributions.