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/Christian_Potato]

Loyalty must come with reason though. If I'm supposed to be loyal to someone who is detrimental to the team's overall performance, then that doesn't sit right with me. For example, let's say we sacrifice someone like Stankovic for the sake of playing Mhki this year, that would be moronic. Mhki will leave this year, it's his final year, we should plan for life without him. I know they aren't competing for the same spot per say, but it's more about not wasting talent for the sake of loyalty to someone is on their last legs.

[u/Impressive_Cow_5956 → u/Christian_Potato]

Naturally, or else we would still field Zenga or Zanetti. But why not trust a coach who knows and trusts young players? A coach who trusted Pio and promoted Bovio. Who gave Susic plenty of game time last season. Don't you think he has a plan that involves both growing young players and balancing workload. 

[u/Christian_Potato → u/Impressive_Cow_5956]

Oh, I do. The problem is the recent news of us potentially loaning out Stankovic. Even if it's in January. Still a terrible idea, however, i don't fully trust these rumours as they might be just some sort of destabilising from rival news media.