Nicolo Barella has provided more than double the assists for Inter this season than he had at the same stage of the last campaign, an Italian broadcaster noted today.

Last season in his first year with the Nerazzurri, Barella had made 19 appearances in all competitions at this point, 14 of which as a starter, scoring two goals and three assists.

As per a report from Sky Sport Italia, those numbers have improved markedly for the 2020-21 campaign, underlining his increased importance to Antonio Conte’s side 18 months after his €40 million move from Cagliari.

Barella has still scored two goals this term, just like he had during the 2019-20 season, but he has made 25 appearances with 21 starts.

Most notably, he has provided seven assists, the most recent of which came during Sunday’s 2-0 win over Juventus in the Derby d’Italia, which is more than double than this time last season.

Barella, who is under contract with Inter until the end of the 2023-24 season, has received high praise for his performance against the Bianconeri and he has recently been linked with potential moves to Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.