Two weeks after the start of the season, Inter has returned from Australia with encouraging signs. Chivu‘s team showed positive signals during the summer tour, with both confirmations and new discoveries. Dimarco confirmed himself as a player of great impact, while the young Bovio left a good impression. Diouf could also be a weapon off the bench, just as Stankovic deserves attention.

Back in Italy, the Nerazzurri squad will be reunited with Lautaro, Thuram, Stones, Akanji, and Sucic. The five have already started working at Pinetina and will try to make themselves available as soon as possible. However, there are still some gaps to fill in the squad.

The main need concerns a right wing-back, and possibly a central midfielder. In defense, Pavard is valid and available, internal locker room situation permitting, but the situation changes in other areas. On the right, there is a real gap in the rotations. Diouf, despite the positive signs, has very specific characteristics and cannot be considered a starter. He can be a good backup, especially when you need to push to recover or unlock a match, but it seems unthinkable to use him from the first minute regularly, especially in big Serie A and Champions League matches.

On this front, Inter will have to make important decisions. The two hottest names at the moment are Djed Spence and Moussa Diaby. The first is more of a full-back than a wing-back, the second more of a winger than a wide midfielder. Opposite characteristics for the same role, in the same team, at the same time.

Logic would suggest focusing on Spence, who is more complementary to Diouf than his compatriot at Al-Ittihad. Even though he doesn’t have Dumfries‘ aerial ability, the physicality and depth-attacking skills of the Tottenham player, combined with proven defensive aptitude, could prove valuable.

The discussion about Curtis Jones, even though a midfielder is needed given the surplus of Frattesi and Asllani, is different. Does it really make sense to invest 30 million or more in a department where there is a 2003-born player like Sucic and a 2005-born player like Stankovic on the rise, in addition to three excellent starters like Barella, Zielinski, and Calhanoglu? If that amount were available without any departures, it would make more sense to spend it on Spence, or someone like him, and then evaluate possible opportunities in midfield.

A seventh midfielder would also be useful, considering Calhanoglu’s recent physical history and a not-so-young Mkhitaryan, but it cannot be the primary target at this stage of the market. Inter’s chance to start with a significant gap over their rivals probably depends on giving the right priority to things.

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