Inter Wingback Denzel Dumfries’ Start On Bench In Serie A Clash With Lecce Not Due Transfer-Related Reasons, Italian Media Claim | OneFootball

Inter wingback Denzel Dumfries didn’t start yesterday evening’s Serie A clash on the bench with Lecce for any reasons related to a possible sale before the end of the transfer window.

This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, who report that the Dutchman was left out of the starting eleven for tactical reasons rather than because of any transfer-related uncertainty about his future.

Dumfries being left out in favour of Matteo Darmian on the right was something of a surprise in Inter’s starting eleven for their Serie A opener, and could have led to speculation that this was due to him being close to a move away given reported links with Chelsea.

However, coach Simone Inzaghi has made very clear over the past couple days that he does not want to see key players like Dumfries sold this summer, and so this did not appear to be the coach’s motivation for leaving the 26-year-old out.

Instead, it did appear to be a strategic idea by Inzaghi to withhold Dumfries from the start, and then use him later on the match so that his impact could be emphasized against tiring Lecce defenders, which was certainly shown when he had the telling impact with his late winner.