Former Catania chairman Pietro Lo Monaco discussed the situation surrounding Inter midfielder Christian Eriksen in an interview with Italian media outlet TuttoMercatoWeb yesterday.
“For Inter this is an unsolved case, let’s not forget that at Tottenham he was a player who was really determined. I find it very strange that at Inter he has not found a position.
“The fact that Conte prefers the 3-5-2 as a system has penalized him. They are players that if used less feel less important and useful to the cause.”
He commented on how it would be better for both player and club if he is sold in the upcoming January transfer window.
“It is possible that he may have become sad, even if there is no doubt about Eriksen’s value. Keeping him at a standstill is not in anyone’s interest, neither for the player nor for the club, assets are depleted.
“We said at the beginning that it will be a market of rotation options, and looking for a solution to find a player more useful to Conte, at least for what he wants, and who will buy Eriksen, well, I don’t think it will be that difficult.”
Finally, Lo Monaco spoke about Inter’s search for a backup striker, to give Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku more time to rest when needed.
“Conte has always been clear. He then struggles a bit with focusing on youngsters in certain roles, like in attack. I remember that with Lukaku he would have also wanted Giroud or Dzeko, and I really think he will want to bet on an experienced player.
“A player like Mandzukic, if these were the ideas, I think it would have been a shame to let him slip.”
The 28-year-old Eriksen, who is contracted to the Milanese club until 2024, seems destined to leave Milan after only a year in January, having failed to adapt coach Antonio Conte’s tactical system.
The former Tottenham man has made 12 appearances across all competitions for the Nerazzurri so far this season, for a total of 373 minutes.
In that time, he has not contributed to a goal, being seemingly invisible and not matching Conte’s required intensity. He has not completed a full 90 minutes yet this campaign.
