Zielinski reborn: from flop to key asset under Chivu at Inter Milan

After an injury-hit first season, Zielinski has become a vital tactical weapon

Piotr Zielinski’s first year in Milan was heavily affected by injuries and underwhelming performances, to the point that his arrival was quickly labeled a genuine flop. One year later, the picture has completely changed.

Cristian Chivu’s influence has had unexpected and transformative effects on the Polish midfielder, turning Zielinski into one of the most valuable utility players in the Inter Milan squad.

“Position? I prefer playing as a mezzala, but I’m also enjoying the regista role,” Zielinski admitted recently. 

And it is precisely as a deep-lying playmaker that he has delivered his most convincing performances in Nerazzurro, achieving the far-from-simple feat of making fans forget about the absence of Calhanoglu.

A tactical gamble that paid off

According to Corriere dello Sport via Fcinter1908, Zielinski has proven to be a “precious alternative,” pushing himself into a margin of improvement in a role he himself never believed he could master.

“What initially looked like a borderline heretical experiment, dropping him a few meters deeper and handing him the keys to the build-up, is now proving to be a smart and forward-thinking move,” the newspaper notes.

Chivu has succeeded where Simone Inzaghi previously fell short: convincing the player to embrace mechanisms that were completely unexplored until recently. 

In doing so, Inter Milan have gained not only an additional source of playmaking, but potentially a way to extend Zielinski’s career, without taking away his freedom to attack and look for goals.

His technical quality and top-level experience were never in doubt. What has truly made the difference, however, is Zielinski’s willingness to commit fully in the defensive phase, embracing a demanding off-the-ball role.

A mental shift and a broader impact

This evolution is the result of work done first and foremost on the player’s mindset. The return of Calhanoglu will not reduce Zielinski’s importance, as the double-playmaker solution has already delivered positive results.

Zielinski stands out as one of the clearest examples of a completely revitalized player under Chivu. 

A process similar to the one seen with Federico Dimarco. The Inter Milan wing-back had suffered a significant downturn from last January onward, weighed down by a series of difficult episodes. 

He carried that burden into the summer, but now he too is back operating at the peak of his potential.

For Inter Milan, Zielinski’s resurgence is not just a pleasant surprise, but a strategic asset for the present and the future.