Simone Inzaghi was misguided if he thought that starting Roberto Gagliardini in Inter Milan’s recent 1-0 win against Hellas Verona would keep the Italy international pleased and comfortable for the time being.
Gagliardini made his second appearance of the season in Serie A. With his Atalanta contract ending this summer, the former playmaker took the chance to address the Nerazzuri manager in his postgame interview. Play me or lose me, plain and simple.
“I am no longer prepared to play so little,” Gagliardini told Sky Italia.
“Because I still feel that I am in good shape and have a lot more to give. I want to play and to make my qualities known. We’ll see what happens in June (when my deal runs out). I will make my decisions,” he added.
In April, Gagliardini will turn 29. We may expect greatness from the 2021 Serie A winner. The £20 million Atalanta signing is realistic about his prospects of playing time at San Siro with the likes of Nicolo Barella, Marcelo Brozovic, Kristjan Asllani, and Hakan Calhanoglu ahead of him in Inzaghi’s pecking order.
A move from Inter Milan to Nottingham Forest, despite being one of the most storied teams in English football history, seems like a step down in many respects. From the elite of European football to a team on the brink of relegation in the lower part of the league.
But Renan Lodi, Chris Wood, Remo Freuler, and Taiwo Awoniyi decided to leave European football for a likely survival struggle at Nottingham Forest because of the Premier League and the prospect of more regular game-time. Gagliardini may soon find himself in a predicament similar to Wood’s. The club is soaring towards the top of the standings, and you’re a respected but rarely-used member of the team.
Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Steve Cooper’s team is keen on adding Gagliardini to their roster, either immediately or in the summer.
And his words after making that rare Inter start a week and a half ago may be all the encouragement Nottingham Forest needs to hope Gagliardini may be lured by a new beginning and a larger role at the City Ground.
“I consider myself a professional. I’m 28, and I still have many years (left),” Gagliardini adds.
“We’ll see in June. Certainly, in terms of playing time, it’s been a tough two years,” he added.
