Inter would face an extraordinarily tough decision if they had to sell either Milan Skriniar or Stefan de Vrij, according to Beppe Bergomi.
Gazzetta dello Sport reported earlier that the Nerazzurri may need to sacrifice one of their star defenders as they seek to cut costs ahead of next season.
Steven Zhang outlined the need to radically reduce spending and lower the club’s wage bill when he met Inter’s directors yesterday.
Asked which defender he would sell if he was forced, Bergomi told Gazzetta.it: “It would be a crime to touch that back three!
“Can we really not sacrifice someone else?
“With a heavy heart, I’d say Inter should sell Skriniar and not De Vrij.
“De Vrij is a little older, but the central role in that back three is the most delicate position.
“He’s the one who leads the defence, organising who steps forward when and breaking the line to move up and mark the opposition centre-forward.
“You need personality for that position.”
Skriniar has enjoyed a fantastic second season under Antonio Conte and there is one particular quality in the Slovak’s performances that Bergomi believes is crucial.
“He’s become irreplaceable and is very much improved,” Inter’s former defender explained.
“Physicality has become more pivotal since I stopped playing, and that’s why Skriniar is crucial.
“He completes the other two brilliantly; Alessandro Bastoni is more technical and can start moves, De Vrij leads the line and Skriniar is the best man-marker.”
Alessandro Bastoni is thought to be untouchable at Inter, unlike Skriniar and De Vrij, and this is one piece of news Bergomi was pleased to hear.
“I’ve known him from his days at Atalanta and he’s improved so much,” Bergomi recalled.
“Bastoni has technique, he’s calm, he plays with confidence and he’s indispensable for Roberto Mancini with Italy as well.
“He’s so young that he could still improve in one-on-one situations, but a left-footed player who can start moves from the back like that is priceless.”
Inter were linked this morning with Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic as a possible replacement for Skriniar or De Vrij, but Bergomi isn’t too convinced by that idea.
“He’s a good defender, let’s be clear, but I’d rather keep Skriniar,” he admitted.
“That’s the problem Inter will have in the summer; you have to find a replacement who allows you to benefit from the deal.
“I’d like to see who would come in with tens of millions for Skriniar though, because all clubs are having problems financially.”
Asked what Inter needed in order to improve at the back, Bergomi argued: “They need a fourth centre-back who’s rapid over short distances.
“Chelsea have reached the UEFA Champions League final under Thomas Tuchel because they have quick players at the back like Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger who allow you to push forwards.
“Neither Milenkovic nor Nikola Maksimovic at Napoli have these characteristics.
“Inter also need another Achraf Hakimi for their left-hand side, a left-footed wing-back who can beat his direct opponent.”
Bergomi was also ‘tortured’ further by asking whether he’d find it easier to sell Lautaro Martinez (instead of a defender), or perhaps someone from midfield.
“Let’s be serious, you can’t touch El Toro with Romelu Lukaku either,” he added.
“Even in midfield it’s incredibly difficult, they’re all so important.”
