Ex-Italy U19 Coach Declares: ‘Sorry To See Inter Lose Bellanova & Sign 35-Year-Old Cuadrado’

Former Italy Under-19 coach Paolo Berrettini feels that it doesn’t represent a positive trend for Inter Milan to let go of Raoul Beallnova and sign a much older player like Juan Cuadrado.

Speaking to Italian news outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, the former coach stressed the importance of putting faith in young players.

This summer, Inter decided not to sign Raoul Bellanova by activating a purchase option in his loan deal from Cagliari.

The Nerazzurri did make an effort to sign the 22-year-old, but for a lower fee. In the end, it was Torino who swooped in and got a deal done for the young wingback.

In their efforts to sign a different right-wingback to replace the 22-year-old who had spent last season at the club on loan, the Nerazzurri looked at plenty of younger profiles.

Among these were Spezia’s Emil Holm, Torino’s Wilfried Singo, and Club Brugge’s Tajon Buchanan.

However, in the end Inter went in a very different direction – they signed former Juventus veteran Cuadrado.

Berrettini: Not A Good Trend That Inter Let Go Of Bellanova & Sign Cuadrado

On the one hand, it’s easy to see why Inter look to be ready to sign Cuadrado.

The Colombian has no shortage of Serie A experience. Aside from his eight years playing for the Bianconeri, Cuadrado has also spent time at Udinese, Lecce, and Fiorentina.

The 35-year-old also played for Chelsea in the Premier League for a spell.

And few would deny Cuadrado’s quality – that has been on show across his career in Serie A.

What Cuadrado won’t give Inter is much benefit past the short term.

Even if the Colombian has the longevity to play for another couple seasons at his current level, he won’t likely do so for long before then.

“Clubs should be taking chances on younger players,” former Italy Under-19 coach Berrettini said.

“But then, you look at what Inter are doing,” he went on. “Letting go of Bellanova and then signing Cuadrado who’s 35.”