As the curtain rises on the 2025-26 Serie A season, the football world casts a scrutinizing eye upon Inter Milan. The Nerazzurri concluded their previous campaign not with a flourish of triumph, but with a series of staggering blows that left the club reeling. A last-day forfeiture of the Italian Serie A title, followed by a humbling 5-0 defeat to PSG in the UEFA Champions League final, set a grim precedent. The Club World Cup offered no solace, culminating in an early exit at the hands of Fluminense. This sequence of disappointments naturally triggered a significant overhaul, setting the stage for a season brimming with uncertainty.
The Chivu Conundrum: A Managerial Gamble?
In the wake of this tumultuous period, Inter made a bold, perhaps even audacious, decision: parting ways with Simone Inzaghi, a manager who, despite recent setbacks, had delivered a Scudetto and two Champions League finals in his four-year tenure. His replacement? None other than Cristian Chivu, a celebrated figure from Inter’s 2010 Champions League-winning squad. While Chivu`s playing pedigree is unquestionable, his managerial resume paints a different picture. His experience is largely confined to Inter`s youth teams and a mere 13 first-division games at Parma last season.
The appointment has raised more than a few eyebrows. Club directors Piero Ausilio and Giuseppe Marotta reportedly sought a manager keen on developing young talent, with Como`s Cesc Fabregas initially being the prime target. However, Fabregas remained unobtainable, leaving Chivu as the preferred, albeit less experienced, candidate. This decision suggests a philosophical shift: a willingness to bet on potential and familiarity over established top-tier coaching experience. The Club World Cup offered Chivu little time to impose his vision, leaving fans and analysts to ponder whether this calculated risk will pay dividends or exacerbate Inter`s recent woes.
The Unfulfilled Revolution: An Aging Core and Missed Opportunities
Beyond the touchline, concerns linger regarding Inter`s roster. Prior to the summer, many anticipated a significant squad overhaul, particularly in the defensive line, where key players are approaching the twilight of their careers. Stefan de Vrij, at 33, and Francesco Acerbi, who will turn 38 next year, form the veteran backbone of the defense. Logic dictates that a club with ambitions of competing on multiple fronts would seek to rejuvenate such crucial positions. Yet, with the transfer window nearing its close, Inter appears disinclined to invest in a new central defender, instead prioritizing offensive and midfield reinforcements.
This stance fuels a broader debate within Italian football regarding investment in young, promising talent. The curious case of 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni, who departed for Liverpool for approximately $30 million after Inter seemingly showed little interest, highlights this perceived reluctance. Italian clubs, it seems, often prefer the “safer” bet of experienced players, even if it means missing out on potential future stars. One might observe a certain irony: a club supposedly seeking a coach focused on youth, yet seemingly hesitant to invest in it on the field.
Transfer Market Frustrations and a Glimmer of Hope
The transfer market has further compounded the air of apprehension. Weeks of negotiations with Atalanta for striker Ademola Lookman have, so far, yielded no agreement. This inability to secure key targets only amplifies the questions surrounding Inter`s readiness for the season ahead.
However, amidst the swirling doubts, a beacon of optimism shines in the form of young striker Francesco Pio Esposito. Having already impressed with the Nerazzurri, scoring a decisive goal against River Plate in the Club World Cup, Esposito represents the kind of youthful promise Inter`s new management allegedly seeks. Crucially, Chivu, having worked with Esposito in the Inter academy, is reportedly keen to integrate him into the first team, resisting offers from other clubs. This commitment to nurturing internal talent might just be the quiet revolution the club truly needs, a counterpoint to the more perplexing decisions made elsewhere.
As the 2025-26 season kicks off, Inter Milan stands at a crossroads. Will Cristian Chivu`s fresh perspective ignite a resurgence, or will the weight of an aging squad and a conservative transfer policy prove too heavy a burden? The answers will unfold on the pitch, but one thing is clear: this season promises to be an unpredictable journey for the Nerazzurri faithful.
