Inter Milan, Martinez ready to challenge Sommer in goal

Martinez vs Sommer: the turning point for Inter Milan

The Swiss goalkeeper is coming off a night to forget against Juventus. Against Ajax, it may be time for Spanish keeper Josep Martinez.

When Inter Milan signed Martinez from Genoa for a significant fee — €13.5m (£11.5m) plus €1.5m (£1.3m) in bonuses — it was clear he was not just a reliable backup. That transfer carried a project and a vision: the post-Sommer future.

So far, Sommer has been a guarantee for Inter Milan, but at 35 consistency can no longer be taken for granted. 

Small drops in focus can cost dearly, as happened against Juventus: two mistakes that cost the team valuable points. Those errors lit the spotlight and fuelled the debate: is Sommer still untouchable?

Inter Milan already have in house a younger, reliable, and ready goalkeeper in Josep Martinez. The feeling is that the transition is not far away.

From Genoa to Inter Milan: the rise of Josep Martinez

It is no coincidence that Inter Milan decided last summer to invest heavily in Martinez after his brilliant season with Genoa. 

The former Barcelona youth product was never meant to be a simple deputy — he is the designated heir.

Born in 1998, tall, explosive, strong in aerial duels and comfortable with the ball at his feet, Martinez has already shown reliability when called upon. 

For many, it is only a matter of time before he becomes the full-time starter — and that moment could already arrive against Ajax in the Champions League.

If Martinez can take his opportunities, stay calm, and deliver in key matches, then the transition could happen smoothly, without setbacks.

Source: Fcinter1908