Erick Thohir has reflected on Walter Mazzarri’s Inter and where he feels the team need to improve, whilst staying in line with Financial Fair Play.
The Nerazzurri are preparing for a first summer transfer market under their Indonesian owner and have been linked with a number of players.
Erick Thohir has reflected on Walter Mazzarri’s Inter and where he feels the team need to improve, whilst staying in line with Financial Fair Play.
The Nerazzurri are preparing for a first summer transfer market under their Indonesian owner and have been linked with a number of players.
However, in talking to the Gazzetta dello Sport, the President has started at the beginning, with what the team currently has on offer with their Coach.
“Mazzarri is someone who works hard, day and night,” Thohir has reflected in today’s edition of the newspaper.
“He always thinks to a path of growth with the players. At Napoli this was also the case, but he had four years to do it.
“His Inter on the field? They are well set, the positions of the players are correct, but that scores little and lacks speed on the counterattack.
“We need to work on this, whilst it is not right to ask about objective without first knowing what the market will bring.
“Do we need new signings? We have a solid base. There is Icardi, who will grow, and Palacio in attack. Hernanes and Kovacic in midfield. Handanovic, Vidic, Juan Jesus in defence.
“The first thing we need is a strong defensive midfielder, one like Edgar Davids, like Gattuso – to pressure, run, compete. In defence, it will depend on how we play, if with three or four.”
Thohir, though, was asked about how Inter’s situation with regards to Financial Fair Play may affect their plans in the market.
“I know it well. That is why I have to spend properly, to respect UEFA’s parameters. Those are the rules. We have begun to do so, for example with D’Ambrosio – good, young, Italian.
“Then, there is Vidic, he is strong, and comes from Manchester Untied, so he has great experience, he will also be useful for marketing.
“There is nothing in the market rumours – only official announcements, when something is done, like with Hernanes.
“What do I think of FFP? Honesty, I prefer the American model, it is more sustainable. A salary cap and luxury tax are ht emost useful and redistributable resources.
“I understand Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, I understand their business plan, but there is no question of right or wrong because of the rules, and I prefer the model of Roma with Pallotta, of Liverpool, of Arsenal.
“How do we earn more then? I’m insisting with the League – matches on a Saturday afternoon, so they are televised in Asia in the evening, at prime time, and in the US in the morning, without competition. And then touring and friendlies.”
Thohir was asked which players he likes.
“Let’s talk about models from the past. Davids and Gattuso, wrestlers, in midfield. Samuel, Cordoba and Chivu in defence. Offensively there are those with power like Vieri, fast ones like Ronaldo, and those in the area like Rossi.
“And in the present? Given we cannot afford top players, but that in the future I hope we can, people like Busquets, Luiz Gustavo and Dzeko I like.”