It’s been a tougher start to life at Inter Milan than many expected for midfielder Davide Frattesi this season.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, note that the Italian international has made just one start and played just 285 minutes in Serie A so far for the Nerazzurri.
When Frattesi arrived at Inter during the summer transfer window, there was a fair bit of fanfare.
The Nerazzurri paid around €33 million to sign the young midfielder from Sassuolo.
As the Gazzetta note, the expectation was that Frattesi could become a kind of “co-starter” in midfield.
Obviously Inter already have a starting-quality midfield. The trio of Nicolo Barella, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Hakan Calhanoglu have shown that so far this campaign.
But the hope seemed to be that Frattesi would provide an option of similar quality.
Maybe not right away.
But the idea seemed to be that the 24-year-old would take the place of Marcelo Brozovic. Not necessarily in terms of profile, but in terms of his prominence in the team.
It might take a little bit of time. But sooner or later, Frattesi would or should be in contention for a starting spot in the Inter midfield.
Tougher Start Than Expected For Davide Frattesi At Inter
It’s now on the verge of December. And so far, that has not quite happened with Frattesi.
That is not to say that the Italian has not gotten out on the pitch.
Frattesi has had his chances to show his quality.
Particularly from the bench, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has trusted the 24-year-old to help Inter see out matches, even against top opposition.
And there has been promise to Frattesi’s performance. Particularly in terms of his physicality, energy, and stamina.
But there’s just been one goal – a stoppage time efforts to seal a 5-1 win over AC Milan.
And the starts have not yet come.
Frattesi did start against Empoli in the league, but that’s it as far as Serie A.
A few more opportunities have arrived in the Champions League.
Frattesi should in all likelihood be in the lineup tomorrow against Benfica.
But so far, the hierarchy. The 24-year-old has not threatened the starting places of key men like Mkhitaryan and Barella.
The money that Inter paid to sign Frattesi suggested that they expected him to do that.
And there have been signs that he is capable of it in his performances for Sassuolo and for Italy. And even for Inter.
But in the coming months, there is little doubt that Frattesi will want to have more of an impact than he has done so far.
