Milan Skriniar has cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s best defenders after adjusting to life in a back three, according to a report in the Italian media.
Calciomercato.com revealed the Inter centre-back was in Transfermarkt’s top 10 for players whose transfer values had risen the most this season, now worth €55 million after starting the campaign at €50 million.
Skriniar seemed set to join Tottenham Hotspur last summer after falling behind Diego Godin in Antonio Conte’s pecking order at the back.
The 26-year-old has since regained his spot in the Inter starting XI, though, and was rewarded for his performances on Thursday by being named Slovakia’s player of the season for the second year running.
CM’s report said Skriniar had re-established himself this season as one of the best man-markers in Serie A, but he has also progressed his game after learning to play in a three-man defence.
“If beforehand he was a back-four specialist, now he has reached a complete level of maturity,” they argued.
Inter paid €34 million to sign Skriniar from Sampdoria in 2017 but the defender is clearly worth far more than that now.
Conte deserves credit for helping Skriniar adjust to his system, as highlighted by the centre-back himself in a recent interview.
“I’d never played in a back five before and at the start I had trouble,” Skriniar recalled.
“Conte is excellent though at making it clear what he wants from players, and this helps you improve each day.
“If I’m a complete defender now then a lot of it is thanks to him.”
