Italian Media Highlight Barella As Favorite To Become Next Captain At Inter With Skriniar As Outside Bet

EMPOLI, ITALY - OCTOBER 27: Nicolo' Barella of FC Internazionale reacts during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 27, 2021 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Nicolo Barella looks to be the favourite to take over as captain at Inter whenever Samir Handanovic departs the club, though he is not the only possibility.

This is highlighted by Italian news outlet L’Interista, who note that the 24-year-old is the likeliest candidate to inherit the armband for several reasons although Milan Skriniar leads the way among other possibilities.

Barella is still young, but he has already showed his quality across two and a half seasons in an Inter shirt.

The 24-year-old has room to grow further from his already formidable level, and has committed his future to the club with a recent contract extension which will make him a key players around which the team will be built for years to come.

This makes the midfielder a natural choice for the captaincy in the long term, especially given that he is Italian, something that is a consideration for the club directors.

However, Barella is not the only player who could take over from Handanovic whenever he leaves, with Skriniar also having demonstrated both his on-pitch ability and his leadership traits since his arrival in the summer of 2017.

Also like Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij has also proved to be both a key player in the backline and a figure of leadership, while Marcelo Brozovic is another candidate should he renew his contract past next summer.