Fringe Inter Defender Mulls Asking Out in January

Inter are top of the league after the last round, and their director Piero Ausilio recently signaled that they didn’t want to do anything in January, but they’ll have to deal with the requests of a pair of unhappy players, as, in addition to Davide Frattesi, also Stefan De Vrij wishes to play more, Fabrizio Romano reports (via SOSFanta).

The Dutchman routinely alternated with Francesco Acerbi in previous campaigns, starting enough to be content. Instead, Christian Chivu has also utilized Manuel Akanji and Yann Aurel Bisseck in the central role of the three-man defense this year, cutting down his opportunities. He has featured just seven times so far, starting on five occasions, mostly early in the season. He last made the XI against Kairat on November 5^th and has barely been fielded since.

Inter and their coach still value De Vrij and his experience and don’t want to lose him, especially ahead of the second half of the season, when the games will be more meaningful. Conversely, the center-back aims for more consistent minutes to get ready for the World Cup.

His representatives have fielded a few calls, more from abroad rather than from Italy. His contract will expire at the end of the campaign. The Nerazzurri are expected to move on from either him or Francesco Acerbi, or both.

Our Take on Inter and De Vrij

Chivu has taken no prisoners after blunders and subpar showings, and he ended up in the doghouse because of that. He’ll have his chances to exit it, as Acerbi will be out for a while. It’ll be a matter for the final week of the window, but he’d still have to be replaced, and they have more pressing necessities.