Andy Diouf joins Inter Milan midfield providing tactical flexibility

The French midfielder arrives from Lens to strengthen Cristian Chivu’s Inter Milan, offering an alternative to the current midfield setup

“Anyone in Europe with a technical need can satisfy it by exploring the inexhaustible and incredible French youth system, which has everything required. 

Roma did it with El Ayanoui, and now Inter Milan has done it with Andy Diouf, 22, a former teammate of the new Roma player, with whom he often competed for a spot at Lens,” writes La Repubblica via Fcinter1908 about Inter Milan’s latest midfield acquisition.

Regarding Diouf’s characteristics, the newspaper adds: “Diouf enjoys being given freedom to roam forward, and Inter Milan signed him for exactly that, investing 25 million. 

The club’s decision to forgo Lookman and potentially the 3-4-2-1 led to a strategic shift, giving Chivu an alternative to the three-man midfield. Diouf is a mezzala who can make late runs, but he can also play further up the pitch.”

Diouf offers a smooth succession for Mkhitaryan at Inter Milan

Numerically, Diouf replaces Asllani, who moved to Torino for 12 million euros (£10.3 million), while tactically, he fills a gap and ensures a smooth succession for Mkhitaryan, who is probably in his last season at the club.

Finally, the article reflects with a bitter note: “Provincial French players become metropolitan protagonists here,” highlighting the talent pipeline that brought Diouf to Inter Milan.