Former Inter Milan and Tottenham Horspur assistant coach Christian Stellini feels Nicolo Barella has grown, and Marcus Thuram would play well under Antonio Conte.

Stellini spoke to Italian news outlet TuttoMercatoWeb.

Stellini is a familiar face at Inter.

The 49-year-old spent two seasons on the bench at the Nerazzurri, where he assisted Antonio Conte.

Stellini had previously worked with Conte at Juventus. And he also followed the decorated head coach to Tottenham Hotspur.

Therefore, Stellini is very much familiar with many players in the Inter squad.

And he is also a man who has a great understanding of Conte’s working methods, tactical ideas, and what he demands from his players.

Accordingly, Stellini has an interesting perspective on a few players in the current Nerazzurri squad.

And perhaps the former assistant coach’s words give an intriguing window in to what things would be like at Inter would be like were Conte currently coaching the team with this squad.

The former Chelsea and Italy coach departed Inter in the summer of 2021. This was do to disagreement with the direction of the project and the club’s financial situation.

Stellini: Barella Has Grown, Thuram Would Fit In Well Under Conte

First Stellini gave his thoughts on midfielder Barella, who joined Inter along with he and Conte in 2019.

“The clearest improvement I’ve seen from him is in how he manages games,” he said of the 26-year-old Italian international.

“Before, he was a player who uwas all about running and dynamism,” he went on.

“Today he’s more selective about when and how to attack.”

Stellini said of Barella that “Today he’s more mature.”

From the former assistant coach’s perspective, “He’s a leader, and he knows how to manage his energy and his behaviour.”

Of Inter striker and captain Lautaro Martinez, Stellini said that “He’s certainly become more of a finisher.”

“He’s become more decisive,” he said of the Argentine.

“He’s always been very good at playing for the other striker,” Stellini said.

And of Martinez’s strike partner in the current Inter team Thuram, Stellini said that “He’s a player who combines physicality with technical quality.”

“He could still score more, but he has time to grow.”

“Conte would like having him,” Stellini argued. “He’s a player who knows how to play for the team.”