Ex-Nerazzurri Defender Andrea Mandorlini: “Milan Skriniar Fundamentally Important To Inter & Couldn’t Truly Be Replaced” | OneFootball

Former Inter defender Andrea Mandorlini believes that current Nerazzurri defender Milan Skriniar is not a player who the club could afford to lose.

Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Mandorlini gave the view that the Slovakian is vital and irreplaceable for Inter, whilst he also gave his thoughts on reported Nerazzurri targets Manuel Akanji and Francesco Acerbi.

Skriniar’s future remains up in the air amid Paris Saint-Germain interest, and will likely remain so until the transfer window slams shut.

The 27-year-old’s prospective sale would undeniably bring in a much-needed cash influx, but the loss on the pitch is seen by many within the club as too great to warrant any financial gain, with coach Simone Inzaghi reportedly ready to dig in his heels.

For his part, Mandorlini agrees with this outlook and feels that Skriniar is absolutely not a player who Inter should consider selling.

“Milan is a top-level player, he’s been a staple of the team for many years now,” he said. “Players like that are irreplaceable, and I think the club will do everything to keep him.”

He continued that “Had he left earlier, then the signing of Bremer would have helped to solve their problems, but there’s still no true replacement for him.”

Mandorlini then spoke about Akanji and Acerbi, two targets to potentially complete Inter’s defensive options.

“Akanji is a full international, he has international experience, but I’ve never associated Borussia Dortmund with great defensive performances,” he said.

He continued that “We know Acerbi well, especially Inzaghi. I think he’s the perfect name not to replace Skriniar, but to complete the defensive options.”

Regarding the Nerazzurri’s shaky preseason form, Mandorlini said that “We’re still playing preseason football and trying out experiments. I against Inter closely against Monaco and I liked what I saw a lot.”

And regarding the emerging Inter team for this season, he said that “I see a lot of enthusiasm in the environment and also within the team. There’s a desire to start getting serious, to pick up where they left off.”

“Now they’ve also added Lukaku,” he added, “who’ll surely make a difference.”