Eder a decent signing, but not the man to return Inter to...

Eder a decent signing, but not the man to return Inter to Champions League

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The Italy international has arrived at the San Siro to much optimism, however he does not tick all the boxes required for Inter to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.

The capture of Eder from Sampdoria has understandably been greeted with a lot of positivity from Nerazzurri faithful and club figures alike.

The Brazilian-born striker was a key man in the Blucerchiati’s successes in the league last season as the team, led by now-Milan manager Siniša Mihajlovic, finished in seventh place – ahead of Inter and the Rossoneri. This season, though, Eder has managed to perform at an even higher standard in leading the line for the side from Genoa, tied second in the goalscoring charts with 12 goals from 19 appearances alongside Paulo Dybala of Juventus (who has played one match more than the 29-year-old) and earning himself regular call-ups to the Italian national side.

Despite his side’s recent woes in Serie A, Eder has shone like a beacon and led the club from the front in their times of difficulty. And truth be told, Vincenzo Montella’s side – just five points above the relegation zone – could be in serious trouble during the second half of the season without Eder.

In saying this, though, bringing the Italy international to the San Siro may not have been the best piece of business on Inter’s behalf, and certainly not on Sampdoria’s either.

Inter Milan already have a talented, and much younger, striker in Mauro Icardi who himself is in good goalscoring form with 8 goals in 18 league appearances. Whilst it is true Icardi has cut a lone figure for much of the season and has underwhelmed in his performances overall, he has been chronically starved of service in Roberto Mancini’s slow and unimaginative system.

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The fact that former Sampdoria man Icardi has a highly impressive goal tally so far this season speaks volumes of his poaching and finishing abilities in front of goal in a side that simply does not create anywhere near enough chances to kill other teams off, as seen in last round’s 1-1 home draw against relegation strugglers Carpi.

Summer signing Stevan Jovetic has also been one who has appeared to struggle for the Nerazzurri this season. After starting the campaign with a bang, scoring match-winning goals in his first couple of appearances, the Montenegrin has fizzled out and is another victim of his manager’s poor tactical choices.

Bringing Eder in will not fix this problem, it will simply create another problem – having too many options.

At 22 years old, Icardi is not yet the finished article and represents a much better long-term option than Eder. As last season’s joint-top-goalscorer in the league with 22 strikes, the Argentine is also arguably the better player, but is just not suited to the way Inter are playing at this point in time.

It is clear to see the talent is there and will only get better in years to come. So why bring in another player in the same position, one who is seven years older and may possibly be nearing the end of his prime?

As well as this, Jovetic was bought in from Manchester City in order to help alleviate the burden placed on Icardi. This, again, has not worked out so well due to the manager’s tactical choices and desired playing style. Everyone has seen how gifted the 26-year-old is, so it begs the question once more as to why another striker was needed.

Eder coming in would mean one of these players will lose their spot in the starting XI, which is most likely to be Icardi as he is not as versatile and adaptable as Jovetic.

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It will be a similar scenario to when Inter Milan sold Mateo Kovacic and Xherdan Shaqiri to Real Madrid and Stoke City respectively – they are losing future stars who could help them battle for the Scudetto in the coming years in order to gain players who are just simply in form.

Also, it is unlikely Eder will be much of a success for the Nerazzurri at all if the same tactics are employed by Mancini. He is coming into a side that plays without any rhythm and flow, one that lacks synergy and is one of the easiest teams to defend against due to their slow tempo and lack of creativity in midfield.

Inter Milan did not need another striker, they needed a playmaker or even a box-to-box midfielder who can slot in alongside one of either Geoffrey Kondogbia, Gary Medel or Felipe Melo in a 4-2-3-1 and be the link between midfield and attack.

Yes, Eder is a very talented player, but not one who represents an astute piece of business for Internazionale. He is simply a player in outstanding form moving to a big club whilst he is in the prime of his career, and we have all seen how that usually works out for the player in these circumstances (observe Rickie Lambert’s move to Liverpool as an example).

What Mancini and Inter get in Eder is a very skilful, intelligent and exciting player, but not a player they need in order to help them get back into the Champions League positions in the Serie A table.

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