Latest additions flag heavy defensive competition at Inter Milan

Latest additions flag heavy defensive competition at Inter Milan

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Liga BBVA duo João Miranda and Martín Montoya have been added to the club’s ranks as Inter prepares to launch an assault on the Serie A’s top three in 2015-16.

The Nerazzurri have continued their transfer market activity with the acquisitions of João Miranda and Martín Montoya from Atlético Madrid and FC Barcelona respectively.

It is understood that both have arrived on two-season loan deals, however Inter are obliged to make Miranda’s transfer permanent for a fee believed to be around €12.5 million in 2017. In Montoya’s case, the club has the option to make it permanent for a reported fee of €8 million.

Both deals represent good value on Inter’s behalf as it is obtaining two players with proven quality from two big clubs for a reasonable outlay, even with a fairly large number of defenders already at Roberto Mancini’s disposal.

Miranda was a key component of an Atléti squad that defied all odds in 2013-14 by winning the La Liga title and being only minutes away from backing up that tremendous achievement with a Champions League final victory against Real Madrid. The Brazilian has been courted by many of Europe’s elite over the past couple of seasons with some stellar performances, and it appears to be another shrewd piece of business for Mancini’s side.

‘Appears’ is the key word here, however.

Now at 30 years of age, and with José María Giménez (10 years Miranda’s junior) excelling when given the chance, it is easy to gain an understanding on why the Rojiblancos allowed the centre-back to depart without fuss. Also, with Andrea Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, Jeison Murillo, and Nemanja Vidic already at the club, centre-backs are not in short supply, especially considering Inter will not have to contend with the rigours of European football this coming season. The club’s money, it can be argued, would be better off spent acquiring players in different positions.

Stats from the season just passed also highlight that Miranda’s arrival at the club should be met with scepticism. In comparison to the other defenders at the club who are likely to challenge the Brazilian for a spot in the starting XI in 2015-16 (Ranocchia, Murillo, and Juan), Miranda does not fare too well. In terms of tackles won per 90 minutes, Ranocchia (1.7), Murillo (1.6), and Juan (2.6) all rank higher than Miranda, who averages just 1.3. And it is not just tackles won where the 30-year-old is the worst of the lot. For interceptions made per 90 minutes, Miranda averages just 1.6 in comparison to 2.1 for both Ranocchia and Murillo, and 2.4 for Juan.

Defensive errors per match sees the former Atléti man score worst as well with 0.22. Ranocchia (0.09), Murillo (0.11), and Juan (0.03) all faring better. In fact, the only key performance indicator that Miranda does not rank the worst in is aerial duels won. He does, however, rank third out of four in this stat with an average of 2.1 per 90 minutes in comparison to Ranocchia (2.3), Murillo (3.2), and Juan (1.6).

All of this shows that Mancini may not be getting a world class central defender. Whilst it would be unfair to say Miranda does not deserve the reputation he has accrued throughout his years in La Liga, it would be worth noting the 30-year-old will have to perform similar heroics to those displayed in 2013-14 if he is to be a success in a league that is renowned for being extremely tactical and defensive.

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Much like Miranda, Montoya comes into an Inter Milan squad already stacked with talent in his position. Whilst recognised as inverted full-backs playing off the left, Yuto Nagatomo and Davide Santon are best utilised at right-back, obviously due to their right-footedness. Montoya’s arrival would see the pair continue to operate from the left, assuming the loanee keeps his place in the squad.

Despite this, the move itself is still a positive one that sees both Mancini’s side as well as the player benefit. Montoya, who possesses undoubted talent, will be eager to show his worth in one of Europe’s best leagues, and due to the aforementioned set future fee, the Spaniard would be available for a reasonable price.

The Nerazzurri will also get more value from this particular transfer than what they will with the deal for Miranda. Montoya, at 24, is still reasonably young in footballing terms and not yet the finished article due to a limited amount of chances at the Camp Nou. At an Inter side that finished eighth in 2014-15, the full-back will see much more game time under the guidance of the universally esteemed management of Mancini.

In spite of receiving less media attention over the transfer than soon-to-be colleague Miranda, the buccaneering full-back may prove to be the better of the two acquisitions come 2017 when both loan deals expire.

With the squad that Inter Milan is assembling, it should not be too long before those much anticipated Champions League nights return to the San Siro. Miranda could become a crucial cog of this Inter squad in the short-term, whilst Montoya may fulfil his potential and become a formidable force at right-back in Serie A.

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