Inter need reinforcements in three areas of the pitch during the January transfer window if they are to win the Serie A title this season, according to Italian journalist Bruno Longhi.
Antonio Conte’s side are one point behind leaders AC Milan ahead of the league’s return on Sunday, which will see the Nerazzurri host Crotone at San Siro.
Speaking to FcInter1908.it, Longhi outlined what the club’s priorities should be heading into this month’s transfer session, which begins officially on Monday.
He said: “There are certainly things that need adjusting in this squad.
“Inter have gone beyond their potential so far; seven wins in a row are a great way to arrive in January, but they don’t have four strikers and if you’re playing with two up front you definitely need to have them.
“Andrea Pinamonti has shown he isn’t up to the task of playing for a team that wants to win the league.
“Inter also need a left wing-back, someone who gets to the by-line and crosses.
“Then they need something in midfield too: their midfield is all about hard work but they need some quality as well, because the Christian Eriksen we’ve seen in Italy would struggle in any team.”
Inter are heavily linked with a move for Papu Gomez but Longhi warned the Nerazzurri to watch the average age of their squad.
“He’s proven he can make the difference at Atalanta and would give Inter a lot but my one doubt is about the number of older players Inter are signing,” he explained.
“It looks like Inter are trying to make a team that’s ready now instead of for the future, whereas AC Milan have an average age of 22 and are preparing for a bright future.
“Gomez gives you quality and intensity and would be a good signing for a team playing in the Champions League, although I know Antonio Conte wants a defensive midfielder at all costs; someone like Ngolo Kante, for instance.”
Longhi was then asked for a comment on Inter’s Scudetto prospects and raised doubt over the squad depth at the club.
“Inter are not obliged to win the league but they are obliged to fight for it,” he said.
“If Inter went out of the Champions League because they couldn’t score against Shakhtar it means they have limitations; for what reason should they be favourites for the Scudetto?
“The only reason they would be favourites is because they won’t have European commitments but Conte does not have many alternative options; Matias Vecino is still injured, Alexis Sanchez and Stefano Sensi are often out of action and Pinamonti isn’t ready to play for Inter yet.”
Inter’s next match after Crotone is against Sampdoria on Wednesday before they make the trip to play Roma at the Stadio Olimpico next weekend.
The Nerazzurri then finish the first half of their league campaign by hosting Juventus and travelling for a match against Udinese at the Dacia Arena.
