Newly-arrived Inter midfielder Kristjan Asllani could already have a regular place in the Nerazzurri’s starting eleven next season after he has shone in preseason.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who report that the 20-year-old may not have to settle for a role strictly as a backup to Marcelo Brozovic at the base of midfield.

Asllani was identified as the right player to provide a stylistically apt backup to Brozovic by the Nerazzurri’s directors for the summer transfer window.

A deputy for the Croat was one thing that was sorely missing last season, as Inter took two points from nine in the three matches where the 29-year-old was absent through injury or suspension.

Asllani was signed from Empoli a couple weeks ago, and he is already showing not just that he should be the up to the task of backing up Brozovic, but that he may well be able to cement a more regular place for himself.

The Albanian has been signed to given Brozovic an opportunity to rest or miss matches without the team missing his influence too much, but coach Simone Inzaghi could also tweak the tactics so that both midfielders are on the pitch at the same time.