There's nothing better than a sports director that speaks out loud and leaves mystery outside his door. Such is the case of Giuseppe Marotta, who had no trouble in naming two players that will surely find a new team, but have been deemed surplus to Antonio Conte's requirements.
Speaking to Sky Italia, one of Inter's main men was blunt as a spoon when he referred to the fate of Mauro Icardi and Radja Nainggolan, who will not be working under Conte next season.
"Icardi and Nainggolan are out, and they know it. We have already spoken with them and they know the club's stance on their future, and both icardi and Nainggolan will not be part of our technical project for next season," Marotta said.
Both footballers were involved in a number of controversies last season, which may have prompted Inter's decision despite acknowledging their talent.
"They are both great players with lots of talent, but clearly, talent can only win you a game. A team will get you to the championship and a team will get you to the goals everyone has been fighting for. In consequence, we have told them they will not be included in our project, plain and simple, with all the respect they deserve," Marotta added.
Mauro Icardi's relationship with Inter went from sweet to sour during the earlier months of the year, when he was stripped from the captain's armband for refusing to sign a contract extension. Icardi was banned from the training ground for almost two months, and when he was finally allowed back, he failed to make a difference for Inter by scoring just two goals in nine games.
Nainggolan also had his differences with Inter's hierarchy, which escalated due to some decisions by former coach Luciano Spalletti. Nainggolan's frequent injuries prevented him from earning a regular spot in Inter's lineup, and when he was around, he was not as decisive as the nerazzurri would have wanted. Nainggolan scored six goals and handed out three assists in 29 games for Inter last season.
