Inter chief executive Beppe Marotta has hailed Christian Eriksen as a great professional after the midfielder’s upturn in fortunes during the last week.
Eriksen was widely expected to leave the Nerazzurri in January but the narrative changed on Tuesday when he scored a last-minute winner against AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina.
Antonio Conte then gave the 28-year-old a chance to make his first league start since December on Saturday, and Eriksen impressed as he played the full 90 minutes in a 4-0 win over Benevento at San Siro.
“Inter are one of the biggest clubs in the world,” former Juventus CEO Marotta remarked in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia this morning.
“There are no starters and reserves here, only starters and co-starters.
“Players should be judged not on the number of minutes played, but on the contribution they can give.
“They always have to respond to the coach’s requests and as a result today we can count on a group of professionals who are giving their all.
“Eriksen is one of them.”
Marotta also touched upon the recent speculation in relation to a possible loan swap deal between Inter and Roma involving Alexis Sanchez and Edin Dzeko.
“The club’s policy has always been to not spend a single euro in this transfer window,” he assured.
“The audacity of the agents went beyond the potential possibilities of the clubs.
“So much so that, beyond a cordial meeting, there was nothing else to those rumours.”
Marotta then reflected on Inter’s January window as a whole, which has seen virtually no movement whatsoever, aside from Radja Nainggolan leaving on loan to Cagliari.
“We are relaxed on this last day of the window,” Marotta said.
“Unfortunately it is a poor market.
“It must be recognised that the COVID-19 pandemic has played a decisive role in the world economy.
“There is a significant contraction in club revenues, affecting clubs’ firepower, i.e. their ability to invest in the market.
“It is a paradoxical and very difficult situation, which will take its toll in the coming months and seasons.
“Today we are witnessing a disproportionate labour cost compared to turnover, this is the perspective on which we must affect things.
“We will not see high-cost transfer markets.
“We will use a tool that was practiced in ancient Rome, namely barter.”
Marotta then went on to discuss contract renewals, something Inter are widely reported to be in talks with several players over, including Lautaro Martinez.
“We are acting in a conservative manner, enhancing our heritage which is giving us great results.
“With this in mind, the existing contracts of those young players who, over time, have proven to be worthy of the role they hold, must be reviewed.”
In conclusion he was asked about Lionel Messi, whose humongous contract was recently leaked in the media, and he ruled out the club making any attempt to sign the Barcelona star, who is out of contract come the end of this season.
“This sort of football is finished,” Marotta concluded.
“The big wages will be no more, we must adapt to the new emergency situation.
“There was no chance that we would ever contact him.”
