Midfielder Davide Frattesi feels that it’s “normal” that he hasn’t had much playing time in his first season at Inter Milan.
The 24-year-old opened up about the settling-in process in an interview with Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. He also praised teammates Nicolo Barella and Marcus Thuram.
Davide Frattesi made the move to Inter from Sassuolo last summer.
The Italian international joined with a big reputation, transfer fee, and expectations.
Inter had to beat the competition of AC Milane, Roma, and Juventus to Frattesi’s signature.
Reports suggest that the player’s decision was decisive in making the transfer to Inter happened. He wanted to join the Nerazzurri and rejected other possibilities.
And so far this season, it’s hardly been a negative debut campaign for Frattesi.
The 24-year-old has shown his goalscoring prowess. He has scored key goals against the likes of Hellas Verona and Lecce. He also assisted a late equalizer against Real Sociedad in the Champions League.
But more often than not, Frattesi’s big moments have come off the bench.
The Italian has made a grand total of just three starts in Serie A so far this season.
Davide Frattesi: Lack Of Playing Time “Normal” In First Season At Inter Milan
Frattesi said that “I didn’t think I’d become a starter right away.”
“It would have been stupid to even think that,” the Italian international continued.
“And anyway, 100% of other midfielders in Serie A wouldn’t start here.”
“I see being on the bench a lot as a normal thing,” Frattesi said.
He called this “An opportunity to grow.”
“Anything different would be counterproductive. I have never regretted choosing Inter.”
As far as being on the bench for the trio of Nicolo Barella, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Hakan Calhanoglu, Frattesi said that “It gives me motivation.”
“I feel like a modern, intense midfielder. But I have to make my own path.”
“if I want to aim to be a starter in the future, I need to improve in the buildup phase.”
“The model for me is Barella,” Frattesi said of the profile he aims to emulate.
“He used to be more of a player who just gets forward, an attacking midfielder. But now he’s improved a lot in terms of how he manages the ball.”
“I have to do the same,” Frattesi said, comparing himself to his fellow Italian international.
And as far as which teammate has surprised him the most, the 24-year-old named another summer arrival at Inter.
“In the summer training camp, Thuram didn’t seem that great technically,” he looked back.
“But since the start of the season he’s transformed.”
