Former Nerazzurri and Fiorentina midfielder Borja Valero believes that outgoing President has “always been one of us” at Inter Milan.
Speaking to reporters at an event hosted by former Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia, via FCInterNews, the Spaniard also praised incoming Nerazzurri midfielder Piotr Zielinski.
Zhang’s time as Inter President is now about to come to an end.
Suning are no longer Nerazzurri owners. US fund Oaktree Capital have just completed the process of repossessing the Chinese company’s shares in the club.
And with Suning out the door, Oaktree will soon name a new President of the club.
However, Zhang’s time as Inter President has been a successful one in terms of trophies. He has presided over seven trophies in total.
But on the other hand, there have been some rocky moments related to the club’s financial situation since the beginning of the pandemic.
Borja Valero: Steven Zhang “Always One Of Us” At Inter Milan
Subsequently, former Inter midfielder Valero, who was brought to the club under Suning’s ownership, remarked that “I have to thank Steven and his entire family.”
“Because they were always present. And they got the club winning again, fighting at the highest level.”
“Exactly what such a glorious club deserves,” Valero said.
“They won titles. The second star, which brought immense joy to all the Inter fans.”
“We’ll see what happens in the future,” said Valero.
“But from what they’re saying, the ambitions will remain the same, as will the desire to keep succeeding. Because Inter deserves to be at the top.”
On the kind of club President that Zhang was, Valero said that “It was a friendship.”
“Being very young, he was always one of us,” the former midfielder explained.
“When I was at Inter, he was always present with us. He celebrated everything that we ever achieved.”
And of the arrival of midfielder Zielinski on a free transfer from Napoli, Valero said that Inter’s “sporting management are always on the ball.”
“They’ve made us accustomed to this kind of free transfer signing,” he noted.
“They already have the best midfield in Italy,” said Valero. “Zielinski will have to carve out a place for himself.”
“He’s always been one of my favourite players in the league,” added Valero.
“With his quality, he will add a lot to the squad.”
“He can be the first-choice backup to Barella or Mkhitaryan.”
In conclusion Valero stated: “He’s a box-to-box midfielder, a role that he can play very well with the quality that he has.”
