Former Inter defender Ivan Ramiro Cordoba has expressed his support for the club’s potential move for centre-back Cristian Romero, while also offering a critique of the state of Italian football. Cordoba spoke to a journalist following his attendance at the Women’s World Cup final, and ahead of a family vacation before the new season begins.
Cordoba, who remains closely connected to Inter despite his retirement, believes Romero would be a valuable addition to the squad. “He’s the right player to reinforce the department,” Cordoba stated, adding that he sees similarities between Romero’s determination and his own playing style, though acknowledging Romero possesses greater physicality. He also highlighted John Stones, who is set to join Inter on a free transfer, as a “great coup” for the club, praising his qualities and the advantageous conditions of the deal.
The Colombian defender reflected on Inter’s recent success under Simone Inzaghi, winning both the Scudetto and Coppa Italia, and expressed confidence in their ability to compete on multiple fronts. He dismissed the notion that Champions League ambitions would lead to a neglect of domestic objectives, emphasizing the winning mentality instilled by playing for a club like Inter.
However, Cordoba also voiced concerns about the broader issues facing Italian football, particularly regarding infrastructure and the development of young Italian players. He lamented the difficulties in building modern stadiums, citing the lack of revenue-generating facilities as a significant disadvantage compared to other European leagues. He used Atalanta as an example of a club that has successfully invested in its infrastructure and youth system. Cordoba also criticised the tendency to label players like Pio Esposito, aged 21, as ‘young’ when they should already be gaining significant first-team experience.
He also touched on the appointment of Roberto Mancini as the new national team coach, acknowledging his past success with Italy but cautioning against expecting a single individual to solve all of the nation’s footballing problems. Cordoba believes a shift in mentality, particularly within youth development, is crucial, advocating for a more relaxed and enjoyable environment for young players to flourish. He also mentioned the potential of Colombian midfielder Jhon Lucumi and Puerta, suggesting the latter is ready to make the step up to Serie A.
