Former Inter and Lazio winger Cesar Rodrigues has said that Francesco Acerbi is not good enough to play for Inter this season, according to a report in the Italian media today.

Speaking during an interview with FCInter1908, the Brazilian former player did not speak in glowing terms about the Italian defender who is likely to end up playing for the Nerazzurri this season given the club have limited options.

Cesar Rodrigues feels that whilst there is a lot to admire about Francesco Acerbi and his career, Inter is a step above the level that he should be playing at now that he is in his mid-30s.

“I don’t think he is good enough, we’re talking about Inter, we’re talking about another level, with all due respect to Acerbi who is an exemplary professional, who has given so much and had a wonderful career.

“But if we’re talking about Inter we’re talking about the highest level, we’re talking about something else. I don’t think Acerbi is a player who can meet the requirements of the Nerazzurri.”

The former player also stressed that he thinks the Nerazzurri are the favourites for the Scudetto this season due to the return of Romelu Lukaku to a team that was already strong.

“For me Inter is the favourite. Last year it was already strong, this year with the return of Lukaku it has improved even more: with him they will win even the ‘dirtiest’ games. Inter have all the cards to win the Scudetto.”

Cesar Rodrigues is someone that knows Simone Inzaghi very well having been his colleague at youth coaching as well as the senior level at Lazio.

“Simone, apart from being my teammate, was also my colleague in Lazio’s youth sector. He has a way of doing things, at the level of group management, which is exceptional, I remember him very well.

“He showed his abilities, with Lazio he did things that nobody expected, considering the human material he had at his disposal. With Inter he didn’t manage to win the championship, I’m very sorry, he was there to play for it, but it happens, he still won two trophies.

“He is an experienced coach by now, I think he will do very well this year with Inter, even though other teams have strengthened a lot.

“I reiterate another concept about Simone: his staff. No one does everything on his own, he has a group that supports him, which grew up with him in the youth sector and has continued over time, they are very close and this is a positive thing for a coach.”