Inter’s Nicolo Barella is the best Italian midfielder around at the moment, at least in the eyes of 1982 World Cup winner Marco Tardelli.
Barella has earned rave reviews for his performances as of late, especially after his performance in Inter’s 2-0 Derby d’Italia win over Juventus on January 17.
In an interview with L’Unione Sarda, Tardelli has added to the recent plaudits for the former Cagliari man.
“Barella is the best Italian midfielder at the moment,” Tardelli, who played for Inter between 1985 and 1987 and also briefly coached the club, said.
“He knows how to do everything.
“In short, he is complete and one of those players that all the coaches in the world would like to have because wherever you put him, he plays his best.
“Is he the new me? It is always difficult to compare players.
“First of all, because today’s football is different, all teams have to be attacking and put on a show.
“When I played, the main aim was to win.”
Barella is into his second season with Inter now following a move from fellow Cagliari in the summer of 2019.
The 23-year-old has grown exponentially in his 18 months with Inter so far and he recently paid tribute to Inter coach Antonio Conte for his role in his development as a player.
This season Barella, who is under contract with Inter through to the end of the 2023-24 season, has made 26 appearances, in which he has scored two goals and provided eight assists.