With Internazionale unlikely to be competing in a European competition in 2015-16, the club is restricted in terms of the amount of money that can be spent on transfers due to Financial Fair Play regulations, meaning that some of Inter’s young stars may get first team minutes next season and beyond.
Depsite the team’s recent slump, Inter Milan remains a monumental club in European football. It is the last Italian team to complete the treble (2010 under Jose Mourinho), boast one of the proudest club histories in the world of football, and have one of the greatest youth structures in all of Europe.
And it may come as a surprise to hear that Inter’s famous youth structure was revolutionised by none other than Jose Mourinho during his brief but successful spell at the club.
The Portuguese placed a particular emphasis on improving the youth facilities as well as refining the coaching methods at youth level. Shortly after these modifications, Inter’s Primavera side won the prestigious Viareggio tournament as well as the NextGen Series.
As well as this, a certain Mario Balotelli announced himself to the footballing world as he showcased his vast array of talent during his 31 appearances for the club in the 2008-09 season under Mourinho. It was during this time that Balotelli became Inter’s youngest goalscorer in the Champions League at 18 years and 85 days, breaking the record previously set by Obafemi Martins (another to come from Inter’s prestigious academy).
In a youth system that, in recent times, has nurtured the likes of Balotelli, Mattia Destro, Leonardo Bonucci and Davide Santon, who can make the step up and set Serie A alight next season?
Andrea Palazzi
The only Italian on this list, the 19-year-old would become a true Nerazzurri favourite were he to play a role for Inter in Serie A next season. The defensive midfielder is regarded as one of the most promising youngsters to come through the club’s esteemed academy.
With only seven minutes of professional football to his name though, and with Gary Medel establishing himself as the team’s first-choice midfield enforcer, regular first team opportunities are unlikely to be presented to the prospect next season, especially without Europa League football.
Despite this, the Italy under-19 international has shown enough qualities in the club’s Primavera side to warrant game time next season.
Assane Gnoukouri
Composed on the ball and a competent passer, the Ivorian has already made five league appearances for the club this season.
The 18-year-old’s first start for the club came against none other than AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina, where he showed coolness and composure belying his young age in the centre of midfield.
With an average pass accuracy of 86%, Gnoukouri usually makes good decisions when on the ball. His defensive work, however, will have to improve significantly as he currently has an average duels won percentage of 17%.
Isaac Donkor
Capable of filling in at full-back as well as at centre-back, the 19-year-old is likely to receive more game time next season. With only three appearances to his name under Roberto Mancini, the Ghanaian will be looking to take advantage of Inter’s lack of options at right-back.
Donkor’s pace, strength and passing ability set him above his teammates in Inter’s Primavera side, however the youngster has plenty of room for improvement if he is to make a case for a starting spot next season.
He showed inexperience in his sending off against Sassuolo in Februrary, where the Nerazzurri lost 3-1, and occasionally displays indecision in defence. If Donkor is able to improve this, he has the potential to become a solid Serie A defender.
Gaston Camara
A highly rated winger, Camara may be seen a lot more in the colours of black and blue in 2015-16. A pacey, strong and direct winger, the 19-year-old can give Mancini the option of deploying a 4-2-3-1 with Camara on the right and Xherdan Shaqiri on the left.
The Guinean combines pace and skill with strength; a daunting prospect for opposition defenders. Camara can be a difficult player to handle and may become a useful attacking outlet for Inter Milan next season.
George Puscas
Whilst it is unlikely the Romanian will play ahead of the mercurial Mauro Icardi, Puscas may get the nod ahead of the ageing Rodrigo Palacio in the first team next year. Already highly rated by the coaching staff at Inter, the 19-year-old has already made five senior appearances for the Nerazzurri this season.
With the Primavera side, Puscas has scored 16 in 11 for the team. As well as this, he has notched four goals in five appearances for Romania at under-21 level.
With superior off-the-ball movement to his opponents and great predatory instincts, Puscas is one that is already capable of making waves in Serie A with Inter in 2015-16.
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With Mancini’s track record of developing youngsters, and with the club unable to spend lavish amounts of money on players in the upcoming transfer window, it would make sense for many of the club’s academy prospects to be given a chance next season.
And considering the fact that the Nerazzurri are all but consigned to not play in a European competition in 2015-16, following the club’s philosophy of nurturing young talent may bear fruit in the future for the club.
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