Shaqiri is the star signing to take Inter back to the top COMMENT: The arrival of the Swiss attacker marks Inters most notable statement of intent since they became European champions in 2010 Jan 8, 2015 16:30:00 By Kris Voakes | International Football Correspondent The list of recent Inter signings does not exactly read like a who’s who of modern greats. Saphir Taider, Ishak Belfodil, Zdravko Kuzmanovic, Yann M’Vila, Ezequiel Schelotto, Alvaro Pereira, Gaby Mudingayi, Matias Silvestre, Tommaso Rocchi, Ricardo Alvarez, Jonathan, Mauro Zarate, Angelo Palombo… The names are numerous, the successes few. Ever since winning the Champions League in 2010, the Nerazzurri – first under Massimo Moratti, and now with Erick Thohir – have very much focused their attentions on the second tier of signings. With Financial Fair Play biting, they accepted that they would need to find fewer Ibrahimovics and Eto’os, but more Maicons and Cambiassos. The problem, for the most part, is that they have missed the target by some way. In attempting to seek a bargain, they have often ended up paying out too much for too little. They spent €5 million on an ageing Diego Forlan, around €9m on Alvarez, €5m for Jonathan and €10m for Pereira. It turned out that their new approach was costing them more than previous attempts to sign the very best, while bringing no sporting reward. Add in the fact their most of their treble-winners were being flogged on the cheap or running close to retirement, and Inter’s decline came as no surprise at all. Initially, the attempt to sign Xherdan Shaqiri from Bayern Munich appeared little more than a flight of fancy, but the Germans quickly showed a willingness to talk. Money was apparently contributed by major sponsor Nike to facilitate a deal, and the result is that the 23-year-old has become the club’s greatest signing of intent since they became European champions for the third time. They have made the odd good move in recent times, with Samir Handanovic, Mateo Kovacic and Mauro Icardi having proven to be astute additions. But none of them were of the class and calibre of Shaqiri. Handanovic was, and is, a solid performer between the sticks. Kovacic and Icardi were talents for the future with a little growing up to do. Shaqiri, on the other hand, is ready now. He is already a difference-maker in the attacking third; a player of real quality. As he showed at the World Cup with Switzerland last summer, he has the ability to drag teams up by the boot straps in major competitions. After bagging a hat-trick to take his side through to the knockout stages, he was the star of the show despite defeat to Argentina in Sao Paulo. His underuse this season at the Allianz Arena has been criminal. His potential impact at San Siro could be monumental. With the recent loan addition of Lukas Podolski, Inter can boast one of the most exciting forward lines in Serie A. With the German joining Kovacic and Shaqiri behind target-man Icardi, Roberto Mancini suddenly has the most explosive striking department Inter have had since the days of Leonardo. What’s more, there is plenty of youth in that front four and more than enough hunger. It is a line-up that can start to have Inter fans dreaming once more. Shaqiri | Criminally underused by Bayern There remain concerns about the Pinetina side’s qualities at the back, but one way of helping to relieve the pressure on a defence is adding substance to the forward department, making opponents worry more about keeping you out. Just ask Manchester United. In Shaqiri, Inter have the kind of player who could be the difference between Champions League hopefuls and European wannabes. The Italian league has had no outstanding third-place contenders this term, but the Nerazzurri have suddenly thrown themselves to the front of the race. Picking up a player who would have suited champions Juventus down to the ground – and would likely have improved them – is little short of a masterstroke. Many doubted Mancini’s ability to better Inter without spending big, but Shaqiri has been snapped up for around the same Taider and Belfodil cost Walter Mazzarri. It is not about how much you spend, but what you spend it on. Shaqiri could be the signing of the season.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 03:34:10 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015