Italy Under-21 defender Giulio Donati criticised Inter and other Serie A clubs for not having “faith” in young Italian players.
Italy Under-21 defender Giulio Donati criticised Inter and other Serie A clubs for not having “faith” in young Italian players.
Donati completed his transfer to Bayer Leverkusen for €2m this week, while fellow Inter youth academy product Luca Caldirola joined Werder Bremen for €3m.
“Young foreign players go far in Serie A,” Donati told Tuttosport.
“For example, Dutch player Kevin Strootman is really sought-after in Italy, but the semi-final showed we are better than the Dutch, as we beat them.
“The clubs must have faith in young Italian players. If you give the young foreign imports a chance, then why not a young Italian who has a silver medal in the European Under-21 Championship?
“I would’ve appreciated returning to Inter and playing in Serie A, but there were no concrete options for me in Italy.
“When Bayer Leverkusen offered me a four-year contract, I couldn’t turn it down. There is disappointment at not playing in Serie A, but I am much happier to have the opportunity of playing in the Champions League.”