Inter CEO Beppe Marotta feels that defender Milan Skriniar will have to make a decision on whether to extend his contract at his own pace.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster SportMediaset ahead of the Nerazzurri’s Supercoppa Italiana clash with AC Milan, via FCInterNews, the Nerazzurri executive stressed that the club are not going to rush the 27-year-old into giving his response.
Inter’s contract extension offer to Skriniar has now reportedly been on the table for more than two months.
The player has taken time to reflect on his future, however, meaning that the anticipated response has been delayed.
The Nerazzurri will need a response from the former Sampdoria defender sooner or later so that they can have clarity on their plans for the future in his position.
However, Marotta has explained that there is no hurry to stick to a specific deadline, and they will not put pressure on Skriniar to make a decision before he is ready to.
“We’re not in a rush,” the CEO explained “we’re focused on this match just like he is.”
“We have to leave him to make his decision in peace,” he continued, “he’s an exemplary professional, and we feel sincere optimism.”
As far as this evening’s match against the Rossoneri, Marotta predicted that it will be “A one-off match in which a lot of factors will decide which way it goes.”
“Motivation as well as great organization will be needed, and then we have to hope that things go our way.”
“We’re honoured to be able to play a derby outside of Milan, and we hope that it will be a great advertisement for our football.”
Asked if there are any issues that have caused defender Stefan de Vrij to be dropped from the regular starting eleven, Marotta was clear that “None whatsoever, the coach just has to make his decisions.”
“De Vrij is another top professional, and over the long season there will be plenty of matches in which he has the opportunity to show his quality.”
“At a big club there aren’t starters or backups, just many players competing for the same positions.”
“He gives us certainty, and I’m sure he’ll have his opportunities between now and the end of the season,” Marotta said of de Vrij.
Asked if he thinks that victory in the Supercoppa could give Inter or Milan a boost as they try to catch up to Napoli at the top of the Serie A table, Marotta replied that “It’s important to recognize the extraordinary season they’re having, the amazing performances and results.”
“Napoli have a great chance to finish the season as champions, but the teams chasing them have to believe that they can catch up right until the end,” he added.
“And then, beyond this evening’s result, we will have a frenetic fixture list for the rest of the season between the league, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League, and the coach will have to use the entire squad available to him.”
