How Inter will line up without Lukaku in 2021-22

Martin Macdonald

19 Aug 2021 13:32 BST
3 min read

Lukaku ends Chelsea return rumours: I’m staying with Inter — © ProShots

Inter's perilous financial situation means that they have had to sell two of their best players this summer.

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Following their first Serie A win in over a decade in 2020/21, head coach Antonio Conte subsequently left in the summer after being informed that there would be no big-money acquisitions, with star players set to leave instead.

Achraf Hakimi joined PSG for €70 million, while Romelu Lukaku completed a sensational return to Chelsea for €115m.

Unfortunately for the Nerazzurri, more could follow, as every player is up for sale to try and bring down their gargantuan debts.

Incomings have come, albeit inexpensive ones, as Edin Dzeko has been brought in as a direct replacement for Lukaku, while Denzel Dumfries will replace Hakimi at wing-back.

There is also a change in the dugout as Simone Inzaghi has been recruited as head coach due to the departure of Conte.

So, with main man Lukaku now away, how could Inter line up this season?

Potential Inter line up

There have been no major departures in defence, which means Samir Handanovic will continue in goal, probably behind a back three of Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni.

Andrea Ranocchia is available in reserve.

As for the wing-back roles, Dumfries will come straight in on the right, with Ivan Perisic on the left.

Inter have plenty of options in these positions, as Aleksandar Kolarov, Matteo Darmian, Danilo D'Ambrosio, and Federico Dimarco can all fill in.

Marcelo Brozovic and Nicolo Barella will start in the middle of midfield, with Stefano Sensi, Roberto Gagliardini, and Arturo Vidal available from the bench.

Unfortunately, there are doubts over whether Christian Eriksen will be able to continue playing football after his collapse at Euro 2020.

In attack, Dzeko will come in to lean the line centrally, with Lautaro Martinez as a definite starter to his right.

As for the other spot, it will likely be taken by another new recruit in Hakan Calhanoglu, who joined from rivals Milan in the summer.

Alexis Sanchez, Eddie Salcedo and Andrea Pinamonti are further options.

Read more about: Serie A Premier League Chelsea Inter Achraf Hakimi Alessandro Bastoni Alexis Sanchez Andrea Pinamonti Artur Arturo Vidal Christian Eriksen Danilo Danilo Danilo Pereira Denzel Dumfries Eddie Salcedo Edin Dzeko Federico Dimarco Hakan Çalhanoğlu Ivan Perisic Lautaro Martinez Marcelo Marcelo Marcelo Brozovic Matteo Darmian Nicolò Barella Roberto Gagliardini Romelu Lukaku Samir Handanovic Stefan de Vrij Stefano Sensi