Poll results are in: Midfield the biggest issue for Inter Milan

Serpents of Madonnina readers were asked what they believed the biggest priority for Inter Milan was during the upcoming summer transfer season.

Nearly half of those polled suggested it was the midfield that needed the greatest attention. Nearly 50 percent suggested the midfield was a shambles and needed to be fixed immediately.

“It’s not that our current crop of midfielders is bad, per se. We’re not talking about the Kuzmanovic-Gargano-M’Vila era. Vecino and Gagliardini are both talented squad/rotation players who I like having on the team. Borja Valero gives his all,” said reader TheOneceandFutureDrewseph. “And Nainggolan still has quality to offer in spurts. But if you’re talking about building a team that can challenge for the Scudetto, Brozovic is the only midfielder we currently have who would be on the starting 11.”

Nearly 23 percent of those polled said Inter’s management – primarily manager Luciano Spalletti – was the first priority for the team this summer. That comes amid speculation that Inter CEO Beppe Marotta has his sights set on former Juventus, Chelsea and Italy boss Antonio Conte to come in and replace Spalletti in the off-season.

“Personally, I think it is time for a change, Spalletti has been given sufficient time while also being given the reins on the transfer market. Although he has achieved the primary objectives of his tenure (assuming we qualify for the CL [Champions League]), the squad just hasn’t developed enough in terms of identity and style of play,” said reader Critter4. “Beyond that his player management skills has left something to be desired. If we don’t qualify for the CL, then the decision becomes even easier.”

Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

Others suggested that, if Inter Milan hope to challenge for a Scudetto, now is the time to replace the manager.

“Yes his innovative striker-less formation at AS Roma 10 years ago was awesome, and I’m very grateful to him for taking us back to Champions League, but in his two years here he has failed to deliver consistency (consecutive winters of discontent), show little willingness to adapt/change his preferred formation, been unable to capitalize on in-game momentum (see recent Roma game, also Juve last year), and fallen out with our only star player (who should probably go as well),” said InterKabir.

With 22 percent of the vote, some readers also suggested that the team needed a complete overhaul in the off-season. This could include parting ways with Mauro Icardi, Ivan Perisic and Radja Nainggolan, among others.

Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

Among the comments suggesting an overhaul was:

• Keeping Joao Miranda to have depth in the defensive front
• Redeeming Yann Karamoh and Gabriel Barbosa to help with attack
• Redeem Matteo Politano and Keita Balde on the wings
• Bring in a deep-lying playmaker in the midfield to help Marcelo Brozovic
• Bring in a box-to-box midfielder
• Bring up youth players, like Alessandro Bastoni (on loan to Parma, Andrew Gravillon (on loan to Pescara) and Zinho Vanheusden (on loan to Belgian side Standard Liege)

“While it’s true that I’m playing fantasy football here (since it’s quite fun), and I’m aware of that,” said ForzaPupi. “But it’s not as if any of the changes mentioned above are out of reach. In fact, the most ambitious changes are the ones in which we actually give youth a chance.”

Another addition would be for Inter to bring in Manchester City defender Danilo to serve as a right-back on defense.

“Danilo would also be the perfect solution at RB. He’s had a great season for Man City but is stuck behind Kyle Walker, so we might be able to get Danilo for a very reasonable price,” said Inter PooL. “He’s definitely better than D’Ambrosio.”

Of those polled, only 7 percent suggested Inter revamp its attack with just 2 percent said the defense needed to be addressed.

What do you think? Post your comments below!