Former Azzurri Coach Cesare Prandelli believes Inter struck the best possible deal in signing Stevan Jovetic: 'He's a champion'.
The Nerazzurri have picked up the Montenegrin on a loan from Manchester City with a mandatory buyout clause, and his former Coach Prandelli was asked whether the team from Milan had made a bargain.
“You can say that out loud,” he told Il Corriere dello Sport. “Jovetic is a great striker, one of the best around.
“I have no doubts that today, like back then, he'll be greatly driven.
Former Azzurri Coach Cesare Prandelli believes Inter struck the best possible deal in signing Stevan Jovetic: 'He's a champion'.
The Nerazzurri have picked up the Montenegrin on a loan from Manchester City with a mandatory buyout clause, and his former Coach Prandelli was asked whether the team from Milan had made a bargain.
“You can say that out loud,” he told Il Corriere dello Sport. “Jovetic is a great striker, one of the best around.
“I have no doubts that today, like back then, he'll be greatly driven.
“I know him and I'm well aware that he wants to return to being the important player he used to be, before he went to Manchester.
“It's hard to say what happened at City while looking at the situation from the outside.
“He experienced some injuries and he did not integrate himself well. Unfortunately this can happen even to the best players.
“Roberto Mancini is a great Coach, exactly what Stevan needed at this moment.
“In my opinion Inter and Jovetic have found each other at the right time. I'm confident he can return to greatness in Milan."
The 57-year-old was also asked what the best position or formation in which to play Jovetic would be.
“In Florence I used him as a second striker or on the left in the 4-3-3, but Jovetic is a modern striker, of the type that can do everything.
“Which position he'll play in at Inter will be decided by Mancini, who doesn't need my advice on the matter.
“Stevan can certainly play in a variety of roles and I noticed that in England he played as a poacher, having picked up some weight and being more physically resilient compared to his times in Italy.
“Now he just needs to be in a good physical condition and to feel the trust of everyone around him.
“I think he'll have both things at Inter.
“The fact that he's back in Italy, in a league he knows well like Serie A, will undoubtedly be an advantage for him, and on the psychological level too.
“He's a champion. Many champions undergo injuries over their careers, and they always push through.
“Stevan will do the same, that's why I think they've made a bargain.
“As soon as I can, I'll call him to wish him good luck and reassure him that he made the right decision in going to Inter.”