Comments on: Inter’s plan – keep Maicon, sell Balotelli, buy Cavani

By: Real Madrid

Real Madrid — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:31:22 +0000

Inter should sell Maicon to Real Madrid. So that next season Real Madrid will become Champions (Treble cup)

By: Rami S.

Rami S. — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:53:36 +0000

Yes you are right Niccolo! I totally forgot about Brazilian Mancini. He’s been a disappointment with Inter and then during his loan spell with Milan.

It’s perhaps down to the player’s drop in level since leaving Roma.

By: Niccolo

Niccolo — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:26:42 +0000

And Mancini and probably even Muntari…

By: Rami S.

Rami S. — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:36:55 +0000

Mourinho didnt complain either and Moratti was more vocal than the Portuguese last season. I remember Mourinho got the players he wanted so he probably felt no need to go out there and make unnecessary statements.

Only bad signing of the Mourinho era was Quaresma.

By: Niccolo

Niccolo — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:55:09 +0000

I think Benitez is quiet because he’s happy with the money he’s getting for transfers etc. that’s the only reason I think he’s quiet…

By: Rami S.

Rami S. — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:41:48 +0000

I think both players should be sold for different reasons. Balotelli has caused several controversies last season including when he threw his shirt to the ground. That by itself should be reason enough to sell the player.

The problem here is the asking price slapped by Moratti is too high! It’s not like Balotelli was the main reason or was even a catalyst behind Inter’s historic treble. The credit goes to D. Milito, Sneijder, Cambiasso, Maicon and even Zanetti for his consistency. Balotelli was marginal and in the crucial stages of the Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League run he was either suspended by the club or benched or rarely used by Mourinho.

As for Maicon, he had a very slow start to the season and only came to life towards the end of the season. I think he’s becoming complacent and he’s going to be 29 this month. Yes Maicon is fit but he’s in a position which demands a lot of running and I cannot see him switching to centre-back as he gets older. He could play 2 more solid years but his decline is imminent. Time always has the last laugh.

Maicon also mentioned on more than one occasion he’d like to join Real Madrid. Perhaps it’s time for a change of scenery for the right-back. I think Inter would be served best by cashing on both players and bringing in a couple of quality signings instead. If Santon is healthy and fit, he can play right-back and then Inter can go for Lazio’s Kolarov to play on the left flank.

I think in attack Inter could improve so perhaps signing a striker could be another priority. I believe keeping Cambiasso and Sneijder is key, and the sale of either would mean there’s a need to bring in a quality midfielder- perhaps Mascherano instead of Cambiasso.

By: Rami S.

Rami S. — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:31:16 +0000

The Inter team only needs a couple of changes here and there. I think Benitez will not bring anyone of major importance as long as Maicon and Balotelli stay.

If both are sold, I’d expect a couple of signings. I think in this case the players mentioned are of high quality so there is no need for anyone in specific to endorse a target. In this case, Moratti or Benitez could do that.

Even when Mourinho was in charge, Moratti was often in the media discussing certain players and targets for the club. I don’t see any change now. I think Moratti enjoys being involved and in some cases (nothing offensive meant here) he thinks he’s the transfer guru.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:59:12 +0000

Good post on Inter’s moves this off season. Here’s my question – what impact do you think Benitez is having on the composition of this club? Obviously he has major input, but the quotes always come from Moratti. Maybe a dumb question, but Benitez always complains about meddling management.