Former Empoli defender Francesco Pratali says that playing for Inter Milan is a dream for childhood Nerazzurri fan Kristjan Asllani.
Speaking to Italian news outlet FCInterNews, the former defender explained that he has known Asllani since the Albanian was very young, and that the player had long shown the desire to play for Inter.
Last summer, Asllani made the move to Inter from Empoli.
This came after the midfielder had impressed with his performances for the Tuscan team in Serie A.
Asllani has not had the easiest time at Inter. He has found playing time difficult to come by, perhaps not surprising considering the fact that he is still young and relatively lacking in experience at a club where experience are high.
There was some transfer interest in Asllani during the summer transfer window.
But the 21-year-old made the decision to stay at Inter.
And as Pratali explained, the reason for that decision is partly personal, relating to the player’s ambitions at the Nerazzurri in particular.
Pratali: Playing For Inter Milan A “Dream” For Kristjan Asllani
Former defender Pratali said that “Kristjan has always been an Inter fan. For him, wearing the Inter shirt represents his ultimate dream.”
He continued that as far as Asllani’s playing time, “At this level, you need consistency.”
“Otherwise it becomes difficult. I say this from personal experience.”
He gave the opinion that “At the moment, Kristjan is lacking in match rhythm, he needs more playing time.”
“But if he waits he’ll see that this season he can get more playing time than last season,” the former defender added.
“In fact, he even played in the Champions League against Real Sociedad,” he noted.
“But in that match Inter didn’t play well, as an entire team. But that applies to everyone, and you can’t just put the blame on one individual.”
“You can’t expect a young man making his first start to be decisive or to do more than he has,” Pratali argued.
“If he had had more support from the whole team, he would’ve played better. But the entire team played badly.”
The former defender argued that “If he’d played against Empoli, he’d have played better.”
Pratali said that “The truth is that he feels a deep sense of connection to Inter.”
“He wants to do absolutely everything he can to make it in a Nerazzurri shirt. That would be his dream, and he’ll give everything for it.”
And of the summer transfer window, Pratali said that “From what I understand, Fiorentina wanted to sign him outright.”
“La Viola had made a big offer to Inter. It was a more than fair offer, it’s not like they wanted him for a bargain, quite the contrary.”
“But the Nerazzurri refused because they believe in the player. They didn’t want to lose control of him.”
