With Paulo Dybala’s situation at Juventus looking increasingly uncertain, Oli Coates takes a look at how Inter could line up with the Argentine if he moves to San Siro in the summer.
Juventus have been going through an incredibly turbulent time of late. The Bianconeri’s financial dealings are under the microscope, with the future of star man Paulo Dybala now hanging in the balance. It’s believed the Old Lady will offer the Argentine a reduced salary to a contract extension that had previously been agreed, opening the door to the likes of Inter to step in and offer him a deal.
Should the Nerazzurri complete a successful swoop for Dybala, it would be one of the most remarkable transfers in Serie A history. Not only would it strike a considerable blow in favour of Inter in this bitter rivalry, but it would also represent another key moment in what has been a changing of the guard in Italian football over the past 18 months.
Dybala is Juve’s top scorer in the league this season, and is in good form at present with four goals in last six Serie A appearances. He’s far from an out-and-out goalscorer though, so how would Simone Inzaghi integrate him into his team – potentially even in next season’s Derby d’Italia?
The Nerazzurri coach is a devotee of the 3-5-2 formation, which Il Biscione’s 2020-21 Scudetto success under Antonio Conte was built on. Inzaghi has made the setup a little more adventurous, while predominantly making use of three players in his front two.
Lautaro Martinez has stepped up in the wake of Romelu Lukaku’s summer departure, finding the back of the net 11 times in 19 Serie A appearances. New signing Edin Dzeko has eight goals in his first 20 league games for the champions, while Alexis Sanchez has also shown a return to form and fitness, featuring in 14 of Inter’s 21 matches.
On the face of it, Dybala would come into Inzaghi’s first-choice starting XI ahead of either the 35-year-old Dzeko or 33-year-old Sanchez. That would pair Juve’s current No 10 with compatriot Martinez, who Inter will be desperate to keep hold of in the face of significant interest in their own No 10.
Dybala could easily slot in alongside Dzeko too, with the Bosnian providing a focal point for the Argentine to work around. He and Sanchez would likely prove too similar to play together, but Dybala’s arrival would also give Inzaghi more options to tinker with his formation in-game should he be chasing a result or protecting a lead.
Why not let us know in the comments if you think Inter have any chance of stealing one of their biggest rivals’ most important assets on a free – and how Dybala would fit into the Nerazzurri team if they do.