‘Proud’ Bruce Arena reveals Buchanan’s best qualities for Inter

Ex-USMNT boss Bruce Arena, a former coach of Tajon Buchanan at New England Revolution, predicts the Canada international won’t take long to settle in at the Stadio Meazza: ‘I have no doubts about his worth.’

Buchanan will join Inter on a permanent transfer from Club Brugge in January. He is expected to land in Italy on Wednesday and undergo his medical with the Serie A giants on Thursday.

The 24-year-old scored 12 goals in 59 games under Arena at New England Revolution before joining Brugge in January 2022.

“He was really young, but the most obvious things were his technique and athleticism, which, combined, are quite uncommon at that level,” Arena told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“The path to a great European career was laid out when he joined Club Brugge and this is only a further step. I have no doubts about his worth.”

Buchanan is a natural attacking winger but will be deployed as a right-back at the Stadio Meazza.

“Inter have the right system for him. A 3-5-2 to which he became accustomed with the national team,” noted Arena.

“He is really strong in one-to-one, he likes to outspeed his opponents and he has improved with assists. Of course, he’ll have to adapt, it’s a different word out there.

“I think he will surprise you, but he’ll need a period of time to adapt. Inter require tactical discipline and sacrifice in defence. He can learn all these things, and it will be up to his new coach to give him tactical balance because Tajon will cover a strategic role, and, until now, he’s been more accustomed to attacking than defending,” he continued.

“I can tell you he doesn’t lack desire to learn and courage. He is part of the new generation of Canadians which we saw at the World Cup. He is a key player for the national team.”

Does Buchanan’s Inter transfer mean Arena will start supporting Inter now?

“I’ve had more links with Milan in my career, but now I’ll become a little bit Nerazzurro. I am proud to see one of my lads getting up there,” the American coach replied.

Buchanan will join the Nerazzurri to replace the injured Juan Cuadrado who will remain out of action for at least three months following Achilles surgery.

The Canada international has three goals and four assists in 20 appearances across all competitions this season.