Samir Handanovic remains a top goalkeeper and should be given two more seasons at Inter, according to Nerazzurri legend Julio Cesar.
Inter’s goalkeeper has received fresh criticism in recent weeks after a series of cheap mistakes during the side’s Serie A title run-in.
The Slovenian seems set to remain in goal for next season – in part because of Inter’s financial problems – and Cesar would be more than happy to see him continue.
“I think Handanovic can still play one or two years at a high level,” Cesar argued in an interview for Inter’s official Twitch channel today.
“He’s a professional who’s proven his worth over time and he will still be Inter’s goalkeeper in the coming seasons.”
Udinese’s Juan Musso and Hellas Verona’s Marco Silvestri are among the mooted replacements for Handanovic, but Cesar encouraged Inter to look at two youngsters already on their books.
“It’s difficult to pick a replacement for Handanovic, but I think we have lots of goalkeepers at Inter,” he explained.
“There’s the young Brazilian lad Gabriel Brazao who’s playing in Spain (at Real Oviedo), and then there’s Filip Stankovic who’s doing well (in the Primavera).
“It’s a role Inter don’t need to be worried about.”
Cesar left Inter eight years ago but remains highly attached to the Nerazzurri, as he explained when the discussion moved onto Inter’s Serie A title triumph.
“It’s lovely to win the league as a fan, it’s a different kind of emotion although the happiness will always remain the same,” the Brazilian explained.
“I saw Romelu Lukaku celebrating in the streets around Milan on his own, that was beautiful; he’s a good lad.”
Cesar helped Inter win the treble back in 2010 and looked back on some of his favourite moments at the club, including his incredible save on Lionel Messi during that year’s UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Camp Nou.
“It was a save that required a lot of strength in my legs, not least because I’m not tall like Dida, Edwin van der Sar or Manuel Neuer,” he recalled.
“I touched it with my fingertip and saved the shot, it was a lovely save and an important one.
“Every Interista reminds me of it when they see me.
“My favourite teammates at Inter were Adriano, Maicon, Thiago Motta but also Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Zanetti and Dejan Stankovic.
“We were a family and I got on well with everyone, especially Maicon.
“My best period at the club was around 2008-10, when people were saying I wasn’t the best goalkeeper in the world…”
Cesar was also asked if he would ever consider returning to Inter as their head coach, but he admitted: “I don’t see myself as a coach or even as a goalkeeping coach.
“It would be nice to get the call from Inter, but I’d say no.”
