Big Questions for Next Season

[Bluenine]

So what should Inter do for next season? This article/survey is to analyse the realistic options in a structured, logical manner.

Lets first look at who among the current squad should definitely be kept for next season, provided Strama is the coach. I will make some assumptions here:

GK: Handanovic
RB: Zanetti
CB: Ranocchia, Juan,
LB: Nagatomo, Pereira
DM/CM: Kovacic, Kuzmanovic, Guarin, Benassi, Cambiasso
AM/Wingers: Schelotto
St: Palacio

That's just 13 players IMO. I have included Kuzmanovic and Schelotto coz we have just bought them, so we are unlikely to get rid of them so quickly. Add to these the players we have (allegedly) already bought. For now, lets assume we have acquired Icardi, Laxalt, Botta, Campagnaro and Andreolli. So our squad list grows to 18:

GK: Handanovic
RB: Zanetti
CB: Ranocchia, Juan, CAMPAGNARO, ANDREOLLI,
LB: Nagatomo, Pereira
DM/CM: Kovacic, Kuzmanovic, Guarin, Benassi, Cambiasso
AM/Wingers: Schelotto, LAXALT, BOTTA
St: Palacio, ICARDI

Lets use the above as a starting point. We need about 12 more players to complete our squad. To be realistic, I would suggest we limit the NEW BUYs to a maximum of 4 more players (apart from the 5 we have already bought), and fill the remaining 8 positions with existing players or youth.

I invite everyone to answer the following questions to complete our squad (my answers below):

1. GK: Who should we keep as the two gk's along with Handanovic?
Options are Carrizo, Castellazzi, Bardi, Belec, Di Gennaro, or NEW BUY.

My Answer: Carrizo & Belec.
I would keep Carrizo and Belec, loan out Bardi and Di Gennaro. And its time to say goodbye to Castellazzi. I don't think we need to invest in a new keeper for a while now.

So that's two more players. We need 10 more. With upto 4 NEW BUY options.

2. CB: Who do you want as the 5th/6th choice CB in Inter's squad?
Options are Samuel, Chivu, Silvestre, Spendlhofer, Caldirola, Bianchetti, Benedetti, MBaye, or NEW BUY.

My Answer: Samuel & Caldirola
Caldirola as 6th choice for me. Bianchetti, Spendlhofer, MBaye, and Benedetti should be loaned out for experience. Samuel is injured too often nowadays, but his experience could help the young ones. Plus we need that depth just in case Strama wants to play 3 at back again. We should give Samuel a seriously reduced wage 1 year contract. Caldirola I want back, he has captained U21 for Italy, and should be ready to step in as our 6th choice CB. I think we should let go of Chivu and Silvestre, its time.

We need 8 more players with upto 4 NEW BUY options left.

3. RB: With Zanetti injured, who should be our first choice RB?
Options: Jonathan, or NEW BUY like Jung, Montoya, Perruzi, any other.

My Answer: Jung
Campagnaro can also play here, but we need a proper replacement for JZ. Jonathan does not cut it, let him go.

We need 7 more players with upto 3 NEW BUY options left.

4. LB: Are Nagatomo and Pereira enough or do we need another LB?
Options: MBaye, Biraghi, or NEW BUY.

My Answer: Biraghi.
I am not convinced re Pereira, and Biraghi seems to be developing well. Loan out MBaye for experience, and give Biraghi some playing time in Coppa to see whether he can cope.

We need 6 more players with upto 3 NEW BUY options left.

5. DM/CM: Is Gargano good enough, or do we need a top DM replacement? Do we need another CM?
Options: Gargano, Mudingayi, Duncan, Pasa, Obi, Olsen, Crisetig, other primavera player or NEW BUY (Nainggolan? Fernando? Paulinho? others).

My Answer: Nainggolan, Duncan.
I am not sure re Gargano. Great energy, work ethic, but just not good enough. I would get a proper DM, and also get back Duncan as a back up. If we keep Gargano, I would still get a top DM/CM as a new buy.

We need 4 more players with upto 2 NEW BUY options left.

6. AM/Wingers: Should we keep Cassano and/or Alvarez? If not, who should we get to replace them?
Options: Cassano, Alvarez, Bessa, Garritano, other primavera player or NEW BUY (Gomez? Diamanti? Menez? Markovic? Other?)

My Answer: Alvarez & Markovic
I would like Cassano to remain, but looks like he and Strama are incompatible now. If that is so, maybe we should give Strama his winger option. I have picked Markovic over Gomez, only coz he is younger I guess. Gomez comes with Serie A experience but doesn't score enough goals. Markovic has potential, but could easily flop in Serie A. Maybe the answer is elsewhere. Alvarez I would retain, but not just coz of his recent form. Its also coz we probably cannot afford another new buy, as we may not get much money for Alvarez. Bessa and Garritano could benefit from some playing time elsewhere, farm them out.

We need 2 more players with upto 1 NEW BUY option left.

7: Striker: Should we keep Milito? If not, who should we get to replace him?
Options: Milito, Rocchi, Livaja, Longo, other primavera player or NEW BUY (Higuain? Benteke? Martinez? Dzeko? Other?)

My Answer: Higuain, Longo
Milito is still quality, but now he spends more time on the injury table than on the pitch. Its very tempting to retain him, but at those wages, it would be a big mistake. We should also recall one of Longo or Livaja (though I assume that won't be easy), as we cannot have enough back ups for this position, even though Palacio could also play here apart from Icardi. I guess Longo is more likely and easier option of the two, and maybe Livaja will benefit from another year at Atalanta.

So my squad is complete.

GK: Handanovic, Carrizo, Belec
RB: Zanetti, JUNG
CB: Ranocchia, Juan, CAMPAGNARO, ANDREOLLI, Samuel, CALDIROLA
LB: Nagatomo, Pereira, BIRAGHI
DM/CM: Kovacic, Kuzmanovic, Guarin, Benassi, Cambiasso, NAINGGOLAN, DUNCAN
AM/Wingers: Schelotto, LAXALT, BOTTA, Alvarez, MARKOVIC
St: Palacio, ICARDI, HIGUAIN, LONGO

I am not sure we can afford all of these, but I have tried to be realistic. This squad could challenge for CL spots, and also has a lot of youth potential for the future. Perhaps our starting XI could look like this:

Higuain
Markovic - Botta - Palacio
Kovacic - Nainggolan
Nagatomo - Juan - Ranocchia - Campagnaro/Jung
Handanovic​

However, I have a feeling that Inter will keep Chivu, Gargano and Milito, specially if Strama is the coach.

So whats your 30?

 

[.h.]

If the only thing we needed was a squad that competed for the CL, we'd have come 2nd or 3rd this season.
(Y)

 

[Bluenine]

If the only thing we needed was a squad that competed for the CL, we'd have come 2nd or 3rd this season.
(Y)

But that shouldn't stop us from trying to build a competitive squad, right?

As it stands right now, our decimated squad is hardly good enough for the CL - far from it. You can give this squad, as it is right now, to a top coach to manage next season, and chances are that we will be out of top 3 again. So we do need reinforcements... what would be your 30, Browha?

 

[.h.]

well, for one, i dont believe in a 30

I have posted one recently, which was very realistic, but cant find it now.

 

[Y&h]

You haven't explained why Higuain of all the strikers? Is it because he may become available in the summer? OK, but what do you think he can provide to the team? His strengths and weaknesses? Is he strong mentally? Dosen't he choke in the big games?

 

[William]

Some interesting points Bluenine but unfortunately Moratti will have other 'ideas'.

Moratti: Next season???.....hmmm......

 

[junkie]

I think we need couple more threads about next season posible squad...

it would be great to have all this articles in one thread...

 

[Hugo Boss]

That's just 13 players IMO. I have included Kuzmanovic and Schelotto coz we have just bought them, so we are unlikely to get rid of them so quickly. Add to these the players we have (allegedly) already bought. For now, lets assume we have acquired Icardi, Laxalt, Botta, Campagnaro and Andreolli.

 

[Bluenine]

You haven't explained why Higuain of all the strikers? Is it because he may become available in the summer? OK, but what do you think he can provide to the team? His strengths and weaknesses? Is he strong mentally? Dosen't he choke in the big games?

I like Higuain coz he works hard for the team, has decent ball skills, is only 25, and has an excellent scoring rate for Madrid and Argentina. But I must admit, I think Benteke and Martinez are also good options. I haven't really decided which one, but we need a top striker like that in place of Milito - who IMO spends too much time on the injury table to be our spearhead.

Whichever is available and affordable I guess. Who would you prefer?

 

[Bluenine]

I have changed my mind... if we can, we should get rid of Schelotto... enough is enough.

Anyone else wants to try the above structured format to come out with our squad?

 

[victor_inter]

higuain is overrated. i prefer jackson martinez or benteke, both are absolute beasts. i would like us to get ibarbo, liajic and get rid of all the deadweight in order to facilitate a move for gaitan or hernanes. we can afoord these three but ofcourse we need to make quite a few sales and maybe several co ownership deals. liajic is currently valued at 10-12 mil and is in the last year of his contract. ibarbo would cost roughly around 6 mil if we decide to go for a co-ownership deal. hernanes or gaitan would cost a lot but would certainly make us title contenders.

 

[Caecuban]

Thats quite a strong squad to be honest. I just think we should not keep Alvarez: he hasn't shown much and at least we'd be able to sell him for some value.

Also, given his injury, we'll surely keep Milito next season.

 

[Cal]

GK: Handanovic, Carrizo, Belec
RB: Zanetti, JUNG, PERUZZI
CB: Ranocchia, Juan, CAMPAGNARO, ANDREOLLI, Samuel, CALDIROLA, Pasa
LB: Nagatomo, Pereira, BIRAGHI
DM/CM: Kovacic, Kuzmanovic, Guarin, Benassi, Cambiasso, NAINGGOLAN, DUNCAN
AM/Wingers: Schelotto, LAXALT, BOTTA, Alvarez, MARKOVIC
St: Palacio, Cassano, ICARDI, Livaja, HIGUAIN, LONGO

In my opinion. Red ones I dont agree with, green ones Ive added obviously.

Handanovic

Peruzzi Ranocchia Juan Nagatomo

Nainggolan Kovacic Guarin

Palacio Icardi Cassano​

 

[Bluenine]

In my opinion. Red ones I dont agree with, green ones Ive added obviously.

Handanovic

Peruzzi Ranocchia Juan Nagatomo

Nainggolan Kovacic Guarin

Palacio Icardi Cassano​

I am with you in most of your changes, they make sense. Don't mind keeping Cassano, and like I said, I would love to see the back of Schelotto.

Only one concern - not happy with the striker situation in your squad. We need a top striker to replace Milito. If you don't like Higuain, maybe Benteke or Martinez as I suggested... but we need a top striker like that... Icardi could become that player in a year or two, but he is not ready yet.

 

[wambam]

I'll give this a try again, I guess.



GK: Handanovic
RB: Zanetti
CB: Ranocchia, Juan, CAMPAGNARO, ANDREOLLI,
LB: Nagatomo, Pereira
DM/CM: Kovacic, Kuzmanovic, Guarin, Benassi, Cambiasso
AM/Wingers: Schelotto, LAXALT, BOTTA
St: Palacio, ICARDI

I invite everyone to answer the following questions to complete our squad (my answers below):

1. GK: Who should we keep as the two gk's along with Handanovic?
Options are Carrizo, Castellazzi, Bardi, Belec, Di Gennaro, or NEW BUY.

My Answer: Carrizo & Castelazzi.
I just don't trust Belec and he won't improve by being the third choice keeper.

2. CB: Who do you want as the 5th/6th choice CB in Inter's squad?
Options are Samuel, Chivu, Silvestre, Spendlhofer, Caldirola, Bianchetti, Benedetti, MBaye, or NEW BUY.

My Answer: Samuel & Cambiasso
I don't want Cuchu to play in midfield anymore, but I think he can still do a hell of a job at CB. Between him and Samuel, that's a lot of experience being passed down, and we have the option to switch between back 3 and 4.

3. RB: With Zanetti injured, who should be our first choice RB?
Options: Jonathan, or NEW BUY like Jung, Montoya, Perruzi, any other.

My Answer: NEW BUY
I've heard really nice things about Peruzzi, he satisfies my requirements for our starting RB anyway.

4. LB: Are Nagatomo and Pereira enough or do we need another LB?
Options: MBaye, Biraghi, or NEW BUY.

My Answer: Nagatomo & Pereira are enough
Naga is still a monster attacking threat on the left, and Pereira does everything I want him to (stretch play, be a constant out-ball, keep the opposition defence moving). LB is not a problem area in my opinion.

5. DM/CM: Is Gargano good enough, or do we need a top DM replacement? Do we need another CM?
Options: Gargano, Mudingayi, Duncan, Pasa, Obi, Olsen, Crisetig, other primavera player or NEW BUY (Nainggolan? Fernando? Paulinho? others).

My Answer: Duncan & NEW BUY
I can't answer for sure until I have an idea what style of midfield we're after. I say this a lot, but we can have just as effective a midfield with Fernando, Capoue, Nainggolan, Paulinho, or Modric, it just depends on what is needed. If it were my team, I'd probably go for Paulinho/Nainggolan, I like the idea of a box-to-box trio in midfield.

6. AM/Wingers: Should we keep Cassano and/or Alvarez? If not, who should we get to replace them?
Options: Cassano, Alvarez, Bessa, Garritano, other primavera player or NEW BUY (Gomez? Diamanti? Menez? Markovic? Other?)

My Answer: Cassano & NEW BUY
Cassano is a phenomenal impact sub, I would not get rid of him. Ricky is a question mark, I want to keep him but at the same time I think we'd do better with someone else. I don't really have a preference for who that 'someone else' is (well, I do, but for some reason I doubt we're gonna sign Oezil).

7: Striker: Should we keep Milito? If not, who should we get to replace him?
Options: Milito, Rocchi, Livaja, Longo, other primavera player or NEW BUY (Higuain? Benteke? Martinez? Dzeko? Other?)

My Answer: Milito & NEW BUY
Milito is a brilliant backup to have, so if he accepts a big wage cut then I'm all for keeping him. As for a new buy, I don't think Icardi will do well as a starter next season, I think he needs some calculated bench time, so I want us to sign a new player to be the first choice CF (with Icardi second and Milito third). Dzeko would be great, Jovetic would be the dream, but trying to be realistic I'd say someone like Licha Lopez is more within our reach. Still, I won't state a player's name because I don't like throwing names around.

Therefore, my squad would be:

GK: Handanovic, Carrizo, Castelazzi
RB: Zanetti, PERUZZI
CB: Ranocchia, Juan, CAMPAGNARO, ANDREOLLI, Samuel, Cambiasso
LB: Nagatomo, Pereira
DM/CM: Kovacic, Kuzmanovic, Guarin, Benassi, NAINGGOLAN(?), DUNCAN, Obi
AM/Wingers: BOTTA, Cassano, Palacio, NEW DUDE
St: Milito, ICARDI, NEW DUDE THE SECOND

With the formation being pretty much the same as what I posted in my thread in the Writer's Section (any changes depend on the nature of the new dudes)

 

[gesi-ny]

I believe next season the team would be around 20 players. Without Europe there is no need for 30 players, so besides the declared additions and hopefully one or two good ones, a lot of current players will be released or sold.

 

[kido]

For me, the biggest question for the next season is so simple: Does anyone gives a fuck for this legendary club? President, management, coaches, players?

Sent from my LG-P920 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[Karim]

I want the following players to return... Bessa, Crisetig and Longo

I want the following positions to be bought... world class defender.... a great reliable attacking fullback... an additional winger with Botta.... a striker and an attacking/central midfielder

I want to following to leave: Gargano, Silvestre, Kuzma or Schelotto, Yuto, Jonathan, Livajia, and Cassano maybe.

 

[Bluenine]

I believe next season the team would be around 20 players. Without Europe there is no need for 30 players, so besides the declared additions and hopefully one or two good ones, a lot of current players will be released or sold.

The amount of injuries we tend to have, we will still need 30 for just domestic competitions... I am sick of the injuries being used as an excuse for poor management.

 

[Burgnich]

It seems to me like the elderly players are getting most of the injuries. If their salary is huge they tend to become injured during transfer markets, and then magically healed after market being closed septemer 1.