Nicolo Barella is the best midfielder in the world now, at least according to a leading Italian football agent.
The Inter midfielder is enjoying a spectacular second season under Antonio Conte and today thanked the Nerazzurri’s head coach for helping him improve various aspects of his game.
Speaking to TMW News on Monday, Furio Valcareggi – who has managed players such as former Juventus midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini – suggested Barella and Inter would be impossible to catch in this season’s Serie A title race.
Asked about Andrea Pirlo’s difficulties at Juventus, Valcareggi said: “Pirlo will progress with the club’s confidence, but this year he’s come up against a ‘tank’ in Inter.
“The Nerazzurri are a great team in terms of quality and aggression, and Barella is the best midfielder in the world.”
Barella has played in all 37 of Inter’s matches in all competitions so far this season, having scored three goals and provided 10 assists.
He is due to join Roberto Mancini’s Italy squad for their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers tomorrow, after Milan’s local health authority gave him, Alessandro Bastoni and Stefano Sensi permission to travel to the Azzurri’s training base in Parma.