Legendary former Juventus and Inter midfielder, and Inter coach Marco Tardelli feels that there is something of a stylistic resemblance between how current Nerazzurri midfielder Nicolo Barella plays and how he himself had played.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster New Sound Level 90 FM, Tardelli gave the view that if any player currently in Serie A could be compared to him it is the 25-year-old, although he noted that he tended to score more goals.
Barella has gained a reputation as one of the top all-rounders in Serie A first with Cagliari and then since moving to the Nerazzurri in the summer of 2019.
The 25-year-old has the physical qualities and energies to be very competitive in the midfield battle whilst he also has the technical skill to bring the ball through the centre of the pitch and participate in the buildup phase.
Barella has also shown his adeptness at assisting and scoring goals, although not quite to the same extend as a more attack-minded midfielder would.
Asked if there is a player who he would compare to himself as a player, Tardelli responded with a laugh that “I wouldn’t want anyone to be offended.”
“For me each player has his own characteristics, maybe Barella could be compared be compared to me although I perhaps scored more goals,” he continued.