In his regular weekly column Inter fanatic Sam Olsen will be delving deep into the stories that matter to Inter’s fans looking to keep the spirit of discussion and dispute alive and well on the pages of Sempreinter.com. New Zealander Sam, has published several books on military history as well as contributing to a number of sport and news related websites. His love for Inter began in 1997 watching Ronaldo waltz through confused defences in the famous blue and black, and he has enjoyed the roller coaster ride ever since. His favourite moment was watching the team lift the Coppa Italia in 04-05 with Mancini, breaking the long domestic trophy drought, while his favourite player is Javier Zanetti, the great one, who encompasses everything good and right about the club.
Every morning I wake up, shake off the tiredness that still hovers unceremoniously above my head and pick up my phone. It normally takes a few seconds to get my eyes to focus properly on the screen and a few more to find the sweet spot where my phone will read my finger print, but finally the phone, like me after an early Red Bull, bursts into life. I flick through the mass of apps that clutter the screen, most downloaded on the spur of the moment such as the compass I downloaded after watching a TV show about natural disasters leading me to feel the need to be better prepared. Standing beside the coffee machine, waiting for it to finish brewing the powerful nectar which will really kick-start the engine, I then search for sports news I may have missed since falling asleep seven hours earlier.
Today there was a piece that popped out at my from the pages of SempreInter.com about Pablo Osvaldo pulling a Houdini and disappearing from Southampton’s pre-season retreat. Now I think it is clear to everyone that Southampton and Mr. Osvaldo don’t have the best of relationships. Osvaldo appears to think he deserves more than to be playing for a club which has shown itself to be hard-working, honest and able to nurture and develop talent, certain qualities that Osvaldo himself appears to lack. From the start the relationship seemed to have a certain ’Odd-fellows’ feel to it. This comparatively small club built on team spirit spending a club record 15 million Euros on a player with the reputation of a talented maverick. Perhaps then manager Mauricio Pochettino believed that he could tame this wild beast and bring out the best of his undoubted talent, something he managed to do for a time at Espanyol. Unfortunately for Pochettino and Southampton this never looked like happening. Osvaldo failed to settle, struggled to score and eventually reverted to type in a number of disciplinary incidences which included a fight with team-mate Jose Fonte and a touchline fracas at Newcastle. It wasn’t long before he was loaned to Juventus for the second half of last season in a spell that he once again flattered to deceive.
His decision to go AWOL from Southampton’s retreat is really no surprise to anyone who has followed the career of a player who seems to have a complete disregard for anyone’s needs but his own. Whether it be fighting team-mates such as Fonte or Lamela at Roma, not supporting his own team such as his holiday to London whilst suspended instead of supporting Roma during the Rome derby; being sent off for violent behaviour when his team needed him or fighting and insulting managers; Osvaldo has proven himself time and again a player who would rather take care of number one rather than sacrifice for the team. Southampton are no doubt cursing their decision to take on the hothead for such a fee and can only watch as his value plummets with each new indiscretion.
This is where Inter see their opportunity. It is quite obvious to all that Southampton want to be rid of the player. In doing so they would like to also regain some of their initial outlay but know that few clubs are prepared to take the risk of shelling out big money for such a temperamental player. This leaves the opportunity for a loan deal with perhaps an option to purchase. Southampton will surely be open to the idea as a way to keep him from polluting what will no doubt be an already nervous dressing room and giving him game time which might enable his stock to rise. It is well known that Inter are on the lookout for a striker to fill their precariously low stocks. A loan option would suit them as it would enable to them to keep their cash in hand and work to balance their books whilst reducing the risk of actually buying such a volatile player and seeing him implode once again. It seems like a win-win for all involved.
But in Inter’s case there remains a sizeable cause for concern about bringing in a player of such repute. With the rebuilding project continuing at full pace Inter find themselves with a dressing room shorn of senior players and full with youngsters. The last thing they need is someone coming in and causing problems. Osvaldo has consistently proven himself incapable of being a good club or team mate with his wanton disregard of anyone but himself and it would be a stretch to think this would change. There is also the concern about how he would cope with having young Icardi above him in the pecking order. Icardi is undoubtedly the shining light of Inter’s attack and, although still a little raw, has the potential to be one of the best. Would a character like Osvaldo prove to be beneficial as the reserve striker? Would he be someone who Icardi can look up to as a veteran in the ranks? From past experiences he would be more likely to punch the young Argentine in the face than give him tips to improve.
Although there is merit in looking to sign troubled players like Osvaldo on loan or on the cheap the club must exercise extreme caution. AC Milan have been following this strategy for a few years now, and although it appeared to pay dividends early on, the flaws soon became apparent. A club that was once viewed as a place of beautiful football is now filled with misfits and manglers, a squad of individuals. Inter must avoid this same fate.
