Antonio Candreva signing serves Inter Milan’s short-term goals

Antonio Candreva signing serves Inter Milan’s short-term goals

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Inter Milan have made Italian international Antonio Candreva their fourth signing of the summer, with the winger expected to play a prominent role in any success the side hopes to attain this season.

The Nerazzurri have acquired a player of great pedigree and quality. One who will immediately slot into the right-wing of Roberto Mancini’s side and offer a powerful presence and distinct goal threat going forward.

Candreva is a hard-running, powerful, all-action winger who boosts the quality Mancini currently possesses, a name who is undoubtedly set to feature heavily during 2016-17 for the Milanese side.

An Azzurri international who has been capped 40 times and has amassed over 300 domestic appearances, the man who arrives from Lazio looks to be a fantastic addition to Internazionale.

When taking all into consideration, however, the deal does not represent one with a whole lot of value on the club’s behalf.

In a current period whereby Inter has been placed under strict Financial Fair Play constraints, signing a 29-year-old for a reported sum of €22 million during a transfer window in which not much income has been received poses a risk. True, their pockets are set to become much deeper due to the takeover of the Chinese Suning Group, yet that does not fix their current predicament with UEFA. It appears more will have to follow Diego Laxalt and Cristiano Biraghi out the door in order to balance the books at the San Siro.

As well as this, Candreva, at 29-years of age, will not be in prime condition for too much longer. Sure, he is not a player who bases his game around pace, though his power and fitness will begin to decline in the not-too-distant future – making him a far less fearful prospect for opposing defenders.

Also worth noting is the winger’s lack of end product. Across 30 Serie A appearances in 2015-16, Candreva scored 10 times. A goal every three games for a winger appears, at first, to be clinical, however, six of those 10 came from the penalty spot. Throughout the previous campaign, the 29-year-old also contributed just three assists.

In comparison to Inter’s first choice winger on the other flank, Ivan Perišic, these numbers do not stack up as well. The Croatian assisted six times in the league last season, while netting seven, none of which were from the spot. It is worth noting though, that Perišic did turn out 34 times in the league last term, and that past seasons in the colours of the Biancocelesti have been more productive for Candreva.

And if the Italian’s more recent form in the European Championships is anything to go by, then it looks to be quite a positive acquisition for Internazionale.

In France, the former Udinese man operated in the right wing-back role to great effect in Antonio Conte’s 3-5-2 system. Before sustaining injury, the 29-year-old was one of the best performers in an Italian side that stunned Belgium and Spain prior to being knocked out by tournament co-favourites Germany on penalties.

Despite featuring for just 180 minutes at Euro 2016, the winger enhanced his already glowing reputation.

If Candreva can carry such dominant, intense form into the upcoming Serie A season with Inter, the Milanese club would be serious contenders for a long awaited Champions League return.

Although a bit overpriced at the age of 29, where he may only have another two years of top form, the signing of Candreva fills a hole in the squad out at right-wing, and will be a key contributor as well as a fundamental member for Inter Milan in 2016-17.

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