Happy New Year to all Interisti! May this year be one of blue and black prosperity. Inter started 2021 following the festive break with a home time against Crotone.

Despite the minnows taking an early lead, the Nerazzuri were able to battle back through a Lautaro Martinez hat-trick to prevail 5-2.

A midweek away to the Luigi Ferrari to face Sampdoria followed which carried a different tone.

A shock 2-1 defeat to Doria with Inter old boys Antonio Candreva and Keita Balde Diao on the scoresheet for Samp ended Inter’s winning streak.

Here’s what we learned from Inter in 2021 so far.

Arturo Vidal Is Completely Finished

Unless he comes in contact with King Midas, Arturo Vidal is finished.

Two poor errors at home to Crotone, including giving away his second penalty of the season, saw the Chilean hooked at half time to the benefit of Inter.

With Sensi in his place, Inter were far more creative and expansive and carried far more of a threat.

Vidal’s ultimate weakness so far has been his discipline and his lack of judgment when tackling.

A crunching tackle he might have made three years ago is something he cannot do today and at the moment these errors in judgement are costing Inter goals and fluidity.

He needs to earn his place back in the side.

Inter Far Too Reliant On Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku has arguably been Inter’s best signing this century so far so it is understandable that a player of that accolade would be missed when he isn’t playing.

The first 45 minutes against Sampdoria saw Inter look toothless without him and as soon as he was introduced the team looked revitalised.

Along with his goals, Lukaku holds the side together with his link up play and every attack move comes through him.

A side with Inter’s budget and intense recruitment of the last few windows should have other ways of breaking sides down without lumping it through Lukaku and they most have someone capable of deputising for him should he need a rest.

Milan have been without Ibrahimovic for going on half a dozen games and they have adapted.

Inter must do the same in case Lukaku faces a spell out or needs a rest.

A Left Wing Back In January Is A Must

Previously this has been mentioned as a problem area but it cannot be left ignored any longer.

January window is time to upgrade that area.

Ivan Perisic needs to be sold for his and Inter’s benefit and Ashley Young is looking out of his depth this year as more miles are added to his ageing clock.

Bringing back Federico Dimarco from his loan at Hellas Verona is tempting given his performances there but he may benefit from finishing the season at the Bentegodi.

A new left wing back to match Achraf Hakimi’s threat on the right is needed.

Andrea Pinamonti Needs To Leave

When Inter resigned Andrea Pinamonti over the summer, it was hoped that he could have kicked on and broke into the Nerazzuri lineup.

However, as we all know, Conte much prefers experience and the young Primavera product has found himself struggling for minutes.

Even at times when the forward line has needed freshening up or players were missing, Pinamonti has barely been mentioned.

Whether at be a loan or a permanent move, the youngster needs to get games during a key period of development in his young career.

Marcelo Brozovic Needs A Rocket

A number of lazy recent performances from Croat Brozovic has seen him regress to the Stefano Pioli days.

The former Zagreb man has been very pedestrian in his movement and his usually top drawer passing has been very off radar.

He has been full of his arm waving and sulkiness too which has drawn the ire of his team mates.

It is arguable that the second goal against Sampdoria could have been prevented by him as he seemed to let Morten Damsgaard pass him all too easily.

A good shake and a reminder of his responsibilities is needed for Marcelo to get him back to his best form.

With Nainggolan out the door, Vidal out of form, Gagliardini out of his depth and Sensi made of glass, Inter need more consistency from Brozovic, starting now.