11 new players came through the doors at Inter Milan this season, though not all have had the desired effect.
A large scale recruitment drive was undertaken by the Nerazzurri prior to the end of the summer transfer window. The number of additions reached double figures and there was plenty of optimism from Inter’s camp heading into the 2015-16 Serie A campaign.
Following a hot start, in which some of these new additions were key, the team’s form has fizzled and they now find themselves in fifth place with AS Roma eight points ahead in third, basically no hope of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League in 2016-17.
Roberto Mancini oversaw a transfer policy that entailed a vast sum of money be dished out overall on several players, however, a fair portion of this was recouped with the sales of Mateo Kovacic and Xherdan Shaqiri, ensuring the club does not breach Financial Fair Play regulations for the time being.
Throughout the course of the current campaign, several of these names added to the squad have justified their fee and cemented their place in the Italian’s starting XI. Others, though, have rarely featured and find themselves on the outer, with many questioning why the club went to all the trouble of bringing them to the San Siro.
Outside90’s Frank Garassi looks at how all 11 signings that took place either going into or during the 2015-16 season have fared and whether or not those additions were worthwhile.
POPULAR ARTICLES
EPL – Match Preview – Chelsea vs Swansea City
Predicting the Premier League relegation battle run in
What Louis van Gaal can do to save his Manchester United job
Jeison Murillo
The former Granada man has been one of the cornerstones of a stringent Nerrazzurri defensive unit that currently is the third best in the league for the campaign.
Forming a formidable partnership at the heart of the defence with fellow South American João Miranda, Murillo is one of the first names on Mancini’s team sheet when fully fit and has imposed his all-action and robust nature on many Serie A opponents to great effect.
For €8 million, the Colombian is a steal and is expected to feature prominently in a Nerazzurri shirt in the future, provided he remains fit.
Geoffrey Kondogbia
Having arrived in the summer from AS Monaco for a fee exceeding €35 million, the Frenchman has failed to adapt to Italian football and now finds himself on the bench.
Despite having failed to live up to his price tag for the season, Kondogbia is still just 23 years of age and has a lot to offer in the future. As well as this, Mancini has not utilised the big-bodied midfielder in his most effective position, that of a screen in front of the back-four, rather handing him the role of a box-to-box midfielder – something that does not suit his qualities.
Although he has not impressed in 2015-16, Kondogbia can still become a great signing for Inter.
João Miranda
The former Atlético Madrid man, like Murillo, has been a mainstay in the first team this season and a fundamental cog in Inter’s well oiled defensive unit.
The Brazilian has been superb for much of the current campaign and is constantly a composed and assured presence at the heart of the defence. In saying this, though, he has had his below par moments and performances, such as the showing he put in on the weekend against Torino.
While Miranda has been an excellent addition for the Nerazzurri this season alone, his age (31) means he will not be around for too much longer.
Martín Montoya
A signing that was greeted with optimism and positivity but turned out to be a disastrous one for both parties.
Montoya lasted just half a season at the San Siro, rarely featuring in the first team at all during that time, before having his loan terminated and being sent out on loan once more to Real Betis.
The inclusion of the Barcelona man to Inter’s squad was an unnecessary one, though Mancini should have showed more faith in the Spaniard.
Jonathan Biabiany
Picked up on a free transfer, the Frenchman’s addition to the Nerazzurri’s ranks was a shrewd one that has worked out well for both club and player.
Although not necessarily a first team regular week in and week out, Biabiany offers a different dimension to Inter’s game out on the right wing and has been utilised there to great effect at times during the season.
The acquisition of the 27-year-old proved to be an astute one, even if it was for a back-up player.
Stevan Jovetic
Having began 2015-16 with a bang following his arrival from Manchester City, the Montenegrin is now out of favour with the coach, despite his obvious quality.
A crucial member of Mancini’s first team in the season’s opening rounds, the former Fiorentina man has become a cast-off and rarely features at all for Inter.
It remains to be seen whether or not the club is obliged to fork out a set fee for the 26-year-old when his loan finishes, however, there can be no doubting Jovetic has endured a torrid campaign. A true shame for a player boasting his talents.
Ivan Perišic
Despite his slow start, the Croatian has hit form as of late and become a vital component of the the Inter setup.
Having scored six and assisted four in the league, Perišic offers a threat out wide that not many can in the squad. Although it would have been better to keep Shaqiri in the side, the former Borussia Dortmund man has shown his qualities and adapted well to life in Serie A, albeit after a period of time.
There were quite possibly better, and cheaper, options in the market for the €18 million Inter used to take Perišic from VfL Wolfsburg, though the 27-year-old has proved to be a good signing for Mancini.
Adem Ljajic
Just on loan for the time being, the Serb has performed so well for the Nerazzurri that Mancini would be crazy to not suggest making this transfer permanent at the end of the current campaign.
Almost always the chief architect in any opportunities created by Inter this season, Ljajic showcases his quality to great aplomb when in the side, going on mazy dribbling runs, slipping players through on goal and scoring himself.
Despite not exactly being a first team regular this term, which he most definitely should be, the man on loan from AS Roma has been a key contributor in attack. So far in the league this season he has created 55 chances for his side, with the next best in the team being 31 from creative midfielder Marcelo Brozovic.
Felipe Melo
Although the Brazilian began 2015-16 in positive fashion, marshalling the Inter midfield with some commanding performances, Felipe Melo is now a forgotten man in the squad following his ill-disciplined red card against Lazio toward the end of 2015.
The former Juventus man’s disciplinary issues dogged him even prior to that moment of madness, constantly picking up yellow cards here and there to receive suspensions that were coupled with a drop in form.
Signed on deadline day, the 32-year-old was a player the side did not need, as it was then and still is now well equipped in the middle of midfield. Taking age into consideration as well, this acquisition was an appalling one.
Alex Telles
The left-back is similar to Ljajic in the fact that his stay should be made permanent at the end of the season due to some terrific performances.
A first team mainstay for much of the season, the man on loan from Galatasaray has offered Inter plenty both going forward and in defence.
At just 23 years of age, signing the Brazilian should be high on the club’s agenda, with his overlapping runs and flawless technique on the ball key to some of the chances Inter have forged.
Éder
The only signing during the January transfer window, Éder has failed to replicate his Sampdoria form in an Inter shirt.
Currently with no goals to his name for his new club, the Brazilian-born striker is another who has been consigned to a place amongst the substitutes in recent weeks, despite showing some promise during the opening rounds of his arrival at the San Siro.
The 29-year-old may find regular first-team football difficult to come by if Mauro Icardi, a superior striker, remains at the club.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
