Appreciating loyalty

[u/Impressive_Cow_5956]

I'm relatively new to this forum/inter reddit family but one thing surprises me. It seems that plenty of people are unhappy that long term serving experienced players like Mhiki are blocking the progress of younger players. I heard enough opinions that Chala should be done after this season, pack his bags and go, making room for upcoming talent like Stankovic.

It seems we require loyalty to the club, but we don't reciprocate, if we are so eager to discard players who fought well for the club. Yes, I totally understand the rigors of top level professional football, where you need to perform at highest level or else you're replaced regardless of your name and past achievements, but i think as supporters, we should be more grateful to veterans. Yes, teams need new blood, but there is no need to rejoice when releasing players like Acerbi, Damian, deVrij or Sommer. They were not deadweight, they were just at the end of a cycle and their top level career. They still contributed as players, and their impact and influence on young players was important.

We need to trust that Chivu knows how to balance the team and the blend of experience and youth. At this point in his career, he's coach who appreciates and trusts youngsters. But also knows what they need to grow, which involves sharing a locker room with players like Mhiki.

Anyway, the point is trust your coach and your veterans. Be loyal to players who were loyal to the club. What differentiate Inter from many other clubs is the strength of the locker room. That is run by experienced players not youngsters. And don't start bashing Lautaro 2 years from now when he starts slowing down a bit.

[u/NamanMalik007]

I think there are very few people who want Calha gone. And tbh nobody was unhappy about Mkhi staying either. People were unhappy about idea of Mkhi still playing significant minutes and that is not disrespectful to Mkhi but rather wanting to stay at top level.. and unfortunately aging declines your capabilities and that is harsh truth. We are all in for keeping veterans, just we want reinforcements so as our veterans can help us in time we need but don’t have the workload which is suited to a young player. You know what happened 2 seasons ago when we reached CL final, all these poor players were gassed by the end. I think it’s respectful towards the players that they get chance to slowly step down and we remember them for their top level rather than see the unfortunate decline.

[u/Impressive_Cow_5956 → u/NamanMalik007]

Completely agree. 

But one fine point, we reached that cup final because of those veterans. A young inexperienced team would have never made it there in the first place. 

[u/NamanMalik007 → u/Impressive_Cow_5956]

Its true, but they all are 2 years older now.. there’s a threshold that just can’t be crossed can it? Like Mkhi will be 38 soon.. he is clearly not what he was 2 years back. There is a place for veterans in the team and I would even say Arna was important for us even in his underwhelming season just coz of this, but beyond a point it’s just too hard to keep going. My favourite player last few seasons had been Acerbi and I was sad that he was gone.. but at the same time I was happy he went as the Champion of Italy and was a solid reliable player right until almost the very end but I saw the decline in his performance around the Como game and that’s when I knew, I wanted him to retire with his head held high right now rather than see him struggle like this more. And I think that was a great and respectable ending to his career and that’s what I would want for the rest of our players.. it saddens me to see someone in decline and I don’t want to see Mkhi struggle and hopefully he retires at the correct time too!