Chivu's Inter Milan revolution: Calhanoglu and Frattesi in shock roles

Major tactical shake-up for Inter Milan: Chivu changes everything with new midfield plans, unleashing Frattesi and Calhanoglu in surprise positions

Coach Cristian Chivu is planning to reshape the team’s tactical setup, shifting to a two-man midfield with three attacking players ahead. 

Work officially begins tomorrow on Chivu’s new-look Inter Milan. Several players in the current squad will have to adapt. These are the key updates according to La Gazzetta dello Sport via Fcinter1908.

Sucic emerges as key player in Chivu’s midfield plans, while veterans Zielinski and Mkhitaryan adapt to new roles

FRATTESI
Frattesi underwent groin hernia surgery on July 10, but has already begun individual training to shorten his recovery time and return to form by mid-August. 

Those close to him describe a player determined to prove to Chivu that he deserves a key role. 

He will extend his Inter Milan contract by one more year, from 2028 to 2029, with a salary increase from 2.8 million euro (£2.35m). The club sees him as a future cornerstone.

With the new system, Frattesi could exploit his strengths as an attacking midfielder — no longer a simple possession-based player, but a weapon near goal.

SUCIC
Barella and Sucic represent the present and future of the midfield. Barella will be the standout alongside Calhanoglu, depending on whether Chivu sticks with a three-man midfield or switches to a 3-4-2-1, possibly with Lookman on the left behind Lautaro.

Sucic is the main new face. Inter Milan signed him six months ago for 14 million euro (£11.8m) plus bonuses, loaned him back to Dinamo Zagreb, and brought him to the Club World Cup, where he impressed, especially for his ball-carrying dribbles.

Though better as a mezzala than a regista, he’s versatile. Last season, he scored seven goals and delivered five assists. 

His heatmap shows a preference for the right central zone. He averages 1.2 key passes per game and created fourteen big chances. 

He’ll need to improve defensively, but already averages 4.7 ball recoveries per match.

ZIELINSKI – MKHITARYAN
Versatility is key. Zielinski, who had an inconsistent season due to limited playing time — just 16 starts in 39 appearances — and injuries, is seeking redemption.

Mkhitaryan, now 36, is under contract until 2026. In the U.S. tour, he was tested again as a trequartista behind the striker, the role that once made him famous in Europe with Shakhtar and Dortmund. 

While no longer the dynamic player of a decade ago, he can still slot in there.

If Inter Milan moves to a two-man midfield, Calhanoglu and Barella would likely start, but Sucic is pushing hard, and Mkhitaryan remains reliable.

CALHANOGLU
One variation could see Calhanoglu return to his original role as a number ten. 

He began his career playing behind the forwards at Karlsruher in Germany’s lower leagues before shining at Hamburg with eleven goals and five assists, then moving to Leverkusen. Under Roger Schmidt’s 4-2-3-1, he played full-time as an attacking midfielder.

Back then, Schmidt often told him he had the qualities to be a deep-lying playmaker. When he joined Milan, Pioli said he would finally play in his natural role, although Giampaolo had first tried him as a regista.

At Inter Milan, he thrived in that deeper role under Inzaghi. But now, with Chivu in charge, a return to his attacking roots could be on the horizon.