Former Inter and Lazio goalkeeper Marco Ballotta believes that Inter have a full squad who are of sufficient quality to fight for trophies next season.
Speaking to Italian news outlet L’Interista, Ballotta gave a very positive appraisal of the Nerazzurri’s overall squad depth, and also spoke about the return of Romelu Lukaku on loan from Chelsea, also praising the Belgian.
Inter have made a number of signings this summer, and while Lukaku is likely the only player who will feature regularly in the starting eleven, they have targeted areas of need from last season.
Krisjtan Asllani comes in as a genuine backup option to Marcelo Brozovic in midfield and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Hakan Calhanoglu, whilst Andre Onana has been identified as captain Samir Handanovic’s long-term heir in goal and can already be a high-quality backup keeper.
“That’s why I see them ahead of everyone of everyone else,” Ballotta said, “they have a couple of players in each position that who have the quality to play as starters.”
“They have 22 or 23 starting-quality players,” he continued. “This is not a trivial matter, in my opinion, considering how many matches there are to play. There’s also Juve of course, but I see them having a little less.”
Of Milan Skriniar, Ballotta stated that “If you can keep good players it’s always better. If he were sold to bring in some money, I think a good part of it would be reinvested, because in any case you need a player in that position.”
Of Lukaku’s return, he said that “He’ll still have a significant impact. He’ll do his talking on the pitch, but he’s started out well. He wants redemption, he’s determined, eager.”
“There’s been some controversy about him and he didn’t do well last season, but he comes back to where he’s already done well,” he continued. “It’s never easy, but he comes back with the right attitude.”
Asked about whether having two keepers of the quality of Handanovic and Onana would be a good or bad thing, Ballotta said that “It depends who the goalkeepers in question are.”
“We know Handanovic, so I would guess that he’s prepared to spend a few more matches on the bench to let Onana settle in, letting Onana having his opportunities too,” he continued.
“I say this because until to date Handa hasn’t done this, he didn’t even let the goalkeepers play friendlies ahead of him,” he added with a laugh. “But since I’ve known him, I know he’s intelligent and he knows that age comes for all players.”
