Is Daminuta the next youngster on Mourinho’s list?
After Santon, who already established into the starting line-up for Inter, Daminuta could be the next youngster to make the big step to the first team.
Daminuta who was signed by Inter last year made some excellent games at Inter Primavera and is closely watched by Mourinho.
His last notable performance was yesterday match in Viareggio Cup, Primavera beat Vicenza 3-1, when Daminuta opened the score after a superb free-kick. Daminuta was also part of the Mourinho extended squad into the training tournament along Santon and other few talented youngsters.
If he will continue to play like that then Mourinho could give him the chance to make the debut into the first team at the end of the season. Inter are 9 points ahead Juventus and 11 ahead Milan and in the last stages they could be champions already.
Daminuta is the leader of the Romanian U-18 team and is regarded as one of the prospects of European football. The 18-year old Romanian is a versatile player who can play anywhere at midfield or defence.
Daminuta is currently playing as central defender but is equally adept as defensive midfielder since he was playing at Poli Timisoara II.
Daminuta goal in Viareggio Cup
Inter 2-1 Milan video
Lecce 0-3 Inter video
Is Santon the new Javier Zanetti?
After winning the scudetto with Inter under-17 last season, Santon was called up by Mourinho to train with the first squad for the first time at the end of July.
Six months later Mourinho rewarded the talented youngster with a starting role in Coppa Italia quarter-final against Roma. Inter won the game with 2-1 and since then Santon started all Inter games in the detriment of Maxwell.
Santon used to play as an attacking midfielder but later was used as a full-back by Inter Primavera coach. The youngster received only words of praise from his coach, Jose Mourinho, and his team-mates.
Javier Zanetti thinks he has a great future ahead: “He just needs to keep down this road, he has undisputed qualities which he also displays in training. He is also good at listening to our advices and I wish him all the best for a great career. He has what it takes to become an amazing footballer.”
If he continues to develop like this and Mourinho use him regularly Santon has the potential to be better that Zanetti. Considering his tactical versatility Santon can play on several positions , where the coach needs him at the time.
His physically and attacking qualities are also a plus. All this could make him the best full-back in the near future.
The youngster has also a great personality which is very appreciated by Mourinho but not only.
Santon continues to win admiration and could play his first senior derby next week when Inter will face Milan. If Mourinho will use him and he will have again a apreciated evolution then it will be very hard for Maxwell to regain his place.
Should Mourinho start with Balotelli at Lecce?
Mario Balotelli has been called up by Mourinho for this week game against Lecce after some weeks of absence. Balotelli was left out of the squad in the last six matches by Mourinho after he refused to play against Catania.
Since then Mourinho has not called him anymore and it looked like the transfer window will mean the departure of the Italian under-21 international from San Siro.
But after what he said at the pre-match conference we might think that the Portuguese technician has forget Balotelli.
Balotelli could take advantage on Cruz and Adriano missing trough injury and suspension and figure into the starting line-up.
Inter crosses a bad time, considering their past results, and a good performance from Balotelli against Lecce is expected.
Last game against Lecce at San Siro, Inter won the game after a late goal scored by Cruz.
Balotelli is a player with huge potential but his behavior is sometimes unacceptable. Mourinho said once that if he would train at 50% of his capability then he could become the best player in the world. His set-pieces are deadly and his control skills are fantastic somehow similar to Ibrahimovic.
Also Ibrahimovic advised balotelli to train harder and to listen to the coach because he is young and he still has a lot to learn.
Inter not giving up on Drogba
The transfer window is closed but the speculations regarding the possible destination of some players still continue.
drogba
Drogba was one of the most hunted players before he got injured last summer. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter and Milan were all after him.
Inter were almost inactive on the transfer market this winter and everybody expect Mourinho to act in the summer. The Special One has never hidden his admiration and desire to bring Drogba to San Siro.
Inter are on top of Serie A, still in Champions League and Coppa Italia but the poor performances from last matches have made Mourinho angry.
Mourinho failed to find the ideal partner for Ibrahimovic into the Nerazzurri’s attack because of the inconstant evolutions of Adriano, Cruz or Balotelli. This could force Mourinho to start the negotiations with Chelsea.
On the other side Drogba is having a disappointing season managing to score only three goals from 20 appearances. The 30-year-old Ivorian international has fallen out with Scolari, who prefers Anelka up front.
By coming to Inter, Drogba is trying to regain to the form he played under Mourinho, the man who brought him at Chelsea.
Drogba has lost also Abramovic support after he declared that he wants a new challenge last summer.
Inter would agree an exchange Drogba Quaresma, considering that the Portuguese has already joined Chelsea on loan.
Chelsea loaned Quaresma
Chelsea have loaned Quaresma until the end of the season with the option to make the move permanent.
quaresma
The former Porto and Barcelona player was signed last summer by Inter but failed to impress Jose Mourinho. Regarded by many as good as Ronaldo, Quaresma failed to adapt to Italian football and at the end of 2008 he was awarded with the status of the weakest player in Serie A “the Golden Bin”.
Probably the Portuguese winger will have better performances at Chelsea where he will rejoin his former Portugal coach with which he had some notable performances.
It seems that the financial crisis is felt also at Chelsea. Chelsea and Roman Abramovic delighted the fans with big name signings like Drogba, Essien, Ballack in the last couple of seasons but now after failing to sign Robinho all they can do is to hope that Quaresma will shine at Stamford Bridge.
Quaresma could take advantage of the poor form showed by Malouda this season. The only concern for him could be the fans patience who started to worry regarding this season title chances.
Inter 1-1 Torino
Inter missed chance to increase the lead over Juventus
Inter had the opportunity to increase the lead to nine points over Juventus after their surprisingly defeat at home 2-3 to Cagliari one day before. Without suspended Adriano, the defending champions have not manage to past Torino on San Siro and finished 1-1.
The first half was boring, without important chances to score for both teams. Mourinho tried to strengthen the attack trowing Quaresma to replace Maxwell but the move proved to be uninspired. Quaresma was one again the weakest player on the pitch and this awfully performance could force him leave Inter quicker than it was expected.
Torino took the lead just two minutes into the second half after Rolando Bianchi header. Inter leveled the score in the 58 minute when Burdisso headed past Sereni after a corner kick. Inter tried to take the three points and risked being exposed at the back but the second goal did not come.
It was probably one of the best games and a night to remember for Sereni the Torino’s goalkeeper who was saved by the bar at two occasions.
The game could also end with the visitors victory if they would have been more inspired on the counter-attack.
Milan moved to second place after 3-0 victory with Lazio while Roma draw 2-2 with Reginna.
Inter must improve their game untill the difficult tests with Milan and Manchester United and the next match at Lecce could be the best opportunity for it and for the boosting the players morale.