The Rumor Mill Shudders to Life… Plus Some News
By: Johonna | March 25th, 2009
Ah, the joy of an international break… With nothing else to do, the sports media resorts to all sorts of nonsense for our amusement. On the table for today we have a veritable smorgasbord of transfer rumors, dressing room strife, contract renewals, injuries, and international duty. YUM!
First off, Inter has 9 players on international duty:
Italy U21: Francesco Bolzoni – Austria U21 v Italy U21, international friendly (he got 45 minutes, the game was a 2-2 draw).
Brazil: Adriano, Julio Cesar, Maicon – Ecuador v Brazil, Brazil v Peru; World Cup qualifiers
Serbia: Stankovic – Romania v Serbia, World Cup qualifier; Serbia v Sweden, international friendly
Argentina: Samuel and Zanetti – Argentina v Venezuela; Bolivia v Argentina, World Cup qualifiers
Ghana: Muntari – Ghana v Benin, World Cup qualifier
Nigeria: Obinna – Mozambique v Nigeria, World Cup qualifier
(for those of you wondering, Zlatan is suspended for the Sweden v Portugal game so was not called up)
INJURIES
Well, the big news is that it looks like Mancini will be out for a month and Jimenez about 20 days.
Hopefully we will get one of them back before the end of the season. I feel a bit bad about Mancini – he seems like he was getting on well in training, plus he says he wants to stay and work for a first team spot.
Jimenez has not said outright that he wants to leave, although he is a bit puzzled that he is not being played more. I just thought it was that he could not stay off the injured list. I guess we will see come the end of April.
Oh, and remember Suazo? Well he has injured his left knee and needs surgery. He is only on loan to Benfica, so it may well be that Inter is liable for the medical attention and the rehab. Poor guy.
CONTRACT RENEWAL
This is all about Esteban Cambiasso! He has renewed with Inter until 2014. If he finishes this contract, he will have been at Inter for a full decade. He had a press conference today (there was not a lot else going on) where he answered all sorts of questions like why he shaves his hair (it is tied to winning – so long as Inter keep winning, the head stays bald. I always thought it was to avoid the dreaded comb-over).
My favorite was when he was asked if he thought he would finish his career as the captain of Inter. He said: “No. In 2014 Javier Zanetti will still be on the pitch.” Isn’t that sweet?
Grazie, Esteban. I appreciate everything you do for the squad and your loyalty to the team.
TRANSFER RUMORS/DRESSING ROOM STRIFE
Well, first there is the elephant in the room (or, as some say, camel), Zlatan Ibrahimovic. After we bombed out of the Champions League, the pundits started up with the whole “Ibra is leaving” thing. Then, he said he was disappointed in an interview. But, the real bombshell was his comments after the Reggina game:
“I have a contract with Inter and I’m happy to be at this club. For now we are all concentrated on winning this Scudetto. At the end of the season we will see what happens.”
Then the poop hit the fan. Next thing you know it was all about Bacelona this, Real Madrid that, and even talk of Manchester United. The figure being bandied about was 100 million pounds. Well, as it turns out, the whole thing is a media-concocted pile of guano. Ibra’s agent, Raiola, has finally had enough, saying:
“There are no problems, the player has a great relationship with Jose Mourinho and with the club. Zlatan was disappointed after the Champions League elimination but he has never said that he wants to leave.”
So there, Ibra is not going anywhere.
Same for Mourinho. He is already working on next year and he has no intention of quitting, saying:
“I don’t want to protect myself, win tomorrow and then leave my successor a team without potential. I’m working for Inter’s future.”
Others are not so happy at Inter… Which leads me to poor Maxwell.
He is not happy and he doesn’t care who knows it. Maxwell’s agent, Mino Raiola (the guy really gets around) said:
“With Mourinho either you’re Zlatan and he takes you to his home or if you’re not Zlatan you’re dead and that’s not right from a coach’s point of view. The relationship between Maxwell and Mourinho is finished.”
He then suggested that Maxwell could move to AC Milan (although there has also been a rumor or three about Barcelona), saying:
“That’s not a decision for Inter to take but the player’s. We’ll terminate his contract, we’ll pay what has to be paid but we won’t set one price for Milan and another for other clubs. All the big teams know how good this player is.”
Well, that is a real shame. I have always liked Maxwell and I am sorry he is so angry. Still, if he feels he has to leave, I would hope he would at least do us the courtesy of going out of the country.
As for all the other rumors (choughAguero coughCruzToLazio), we will have time for all that later.
FORZA INTER
Hmmm, I wonder what they are talking about…
 |
Serie A Match Schedule |  |
 |
Discount Travel to Milan |
| Inter Milan Results |  | San Siro information & hotels |
Category: Amanitino Mancini, Esteban Cambiasso, International Duty, Serie A, Team News, Transfer Speculation
Tags: Amanitino Mancini, Benfica, contract, Esteban Cambiasso, Injury, Inter Milan, International Duty, Internazionale Milano, Jose Mourniho, Maxwell, renewal, Serie A, Suazo, Team News, Transfer Speculation, Zlatan IbrahimovicSubscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
MAD im with you on the 4 new players thing
But im with johonna on materazzi and orlandoniAnyways I heard that real madrid have made a monster bid for maicon
Also heard that mourinho said that he would ditch us for united because apparently nobody can say “no” to united ……WRONG !! I can
Posted from
United States
-
I don’t actually see those guys leaving Johonna, Vieira’s contract is prohibitive and Materazzi has probably earned a “leave when you wanna” card.
Well, I would rather keep Toldo, but if he retires then we keep Orlandoni and the youngster as the 3rd, I’m flexible.
But that is what I see/hope/dream for in the near future… that and 17 scudetti.
Posted from
United States -
There was another Primavera goalkeeper training with the squad today – an Andrea Bavena.
Posted from
Indonesia -
maicon is out for the juve match, maybe even the rest of the season according to channel 4. this is not going to be good.
Posted from
United States -
-
This is the result of fatigue maicon alone played more games than the entire roma squad did this season anyways I hope zanetti do the business at his spot so that we don’t miss him much
FORZA MAICON!!!
Posted from
United States -
BTW this is maicon’s first real injury since he became a nerazzuro if im not mistaken
Posted from
United States -
Inter should be fine. If Santon did not work out as well as he did I might say we’d be worse off than we are.
If Maxwell has to play, then that’s fine. He is not the complete crap he has been made out be. He is a decent, capable full back. He has been as much a part, and involved in this club’s recent success as any other defender. He still has 20-some odd appearances this season. The question is, does he actually give a shit about Inter and the Scudetto any more? If no, then we roll with Zanetti and Santon which to me is excellent on the defensive side of things.
If a team, like that one in 2nd place, can play with some of the full backs they use then we should be more than fine with the likes of Santon, Maxwell and if need be, Zanetti. Chivu, if he is healthy, can play there too.
The loss of Maicon might take away from the attack, but lately I don’t think he’s been adding much to it anyhow. I think Zanetti can run the ball out of the defense as effectively as Maicon could. Maxwell was able to get the ball deep and send in crosses like Maicon could.
If Maicon was at his very best, like he has been for parts of this season, there is no question this injury would have hurt a lot more. It’s evident he is tired and his form has taken a few knocks because of it. I think we’ll be able to manage. Anyhow, just my thoughts. I don’t think we have that big a mess on our hands.
Posted from
United States -
I think you’re right E. I can’t remember any other serious injury. Hopefully this will give Maicon a nice long summer break so those bombing runs down the right side will return for Mou’s Champions League push Part Duex.
Oh, and: well played adam.
Posted from
United States -
Well, either with Zanetti as a right back or Santon, we still look like we are covered there anyway. Shame about Maicon, though. He’s such a good player.
Posted from
United States -
Maicon is more than a good fullback. No offense to JZ or Santon, but they’re not Maicon. Its great that we have good fullbacks that can cover for him, but its still massive loss.
Lets say Ibra got hurt but we had someone like Diego Milito. Milito is a very good striker but he’s not Ibra. We would still be in deep shit. Maicon isnt quite as important as Ibra but you get the point
Posted from
United States -
who knows? Maybe if Santon moves to the right, his natural position, he might be that much better than was on the left, playing out of position
We might not even miss Maicon… Hardly the case but Imagine that!
Hey we’re undefeated with Ibra out of the line up, so you never know.
Posted from
United States -
So, we are in the second half of the Italy U21 game and Balotelli, Acquafresca, and Santon are playing.
Posted from
United States -
is it still 1-1?
Posted from
United States -
Yep. Although Italy just got a free kick
Posted from
United States -
Nice! I just found a semi decent feed. I had a horrible one on before and turned it off.
Tuned in just in time to see Balotelli get subbed off.
Posted from
United States -
Mario got clocked in the head. Not a good week us.
Posted from
United States -
Lets say Ibra got hurt but we had someone like Diego Milito. Milito is a very good striker but he’s not Ibra. We would still be in deep shit. Maicon isnt quite as important as Ibra but you get the point
Agreed with the Maicon point, but not this. Milito bangs in the goals and helps out in assists, too. It’d hurt, but Inter could easily carry on.
Posted from
Spain -
“Davide Santon impressed on his Under-21 debut in a 1-1 friendly draw away to Holland, as Daniele Dessena got the equaliser.”
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar31v.html
Acquafresca had a few opportunities and it was a Balotelli free kick that started the pass combination that led to the goal.
Posted from
United States -
Ibra creates goals out of nothing. Milito is a finisher. Without Ibra’s creativity we would be screwed. If we had Milito instead of Ibra I dont think we’d be top of the table
Posted from
United States -
maxwell will be fine to help us close out the league. he’s great positionally, and decent in one-on-one’s. he seems like a good pro too. i just know he’s a weakness at the highest level.
Posted from
United States -
For some reason I don’t think that maxwell is as bad a player some of you make him out to be he was great for us last year and at the beginning of this season too his form just went downsouth something that happens to evry player unless your name is javier zanetti
Posted from
United States -
Run towards our 16th last year was made tougher by Ibra’s injury, this season it’s Maicon. But as most of you have already said at least we have better coverage in the back than we do up front. I just hope 7 points with 9 games to go is good enough.
Posted from
United States -
Unrelated story: Remember Dalmat? He just got arrested for assaulting his wife and a policeman right on Champs Elysees Ave!
Posted from
United States -
Maxwell is great going forward but sometimes he loses concentration and he’s not physically strong. He gave up a couple goals where he had position on his man at the back post but didnt have the determination/strength to get to the ball when the cross came in
I dont know if he should play with his contract situation and bad relationship with Mou
Posted from
United States
Read the rest of the comments
Comments are closed
Home 
