Loading ...Jul 28 2008
Muntari Completes Move to Inter Milan
Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari completed his move from Portsmouth to Inter Milan in a move that had been rumored last week. The final price was €14 million.
I think this is a great move for all involved: player, Inter, and Portsmouth.
For Muntari, it’s a move to a bigger club, the perfect move for this point in his career. At 23 years old, the midfielder is ready to see if he can step-up and be a cornerstone player on a major club. He moves to a league that is slightly better suited for his style of play, going away from the high octane Premiership to the Serie A.
For Inter, he is the necessary piece to be able to implement Jose Mourinho’s preferred system. He needed a central midfielder, and after it became apparent that Frank Lampard would not be at the San Siro to start the season, he moved for Muntari. He has the requisite skills to be the field general Mourinho wants, even if he did not quite show that elite ability for Portsmouth. He is young enough and possesses enough skills that Mourinho should be able to mold him in much the same way he shaped Michael Essien, a comparison Muntari is unlikely to shake any time soon.
For Portsmouth, it’s a deal that’s too good to run down. Pompey has enough depth in midfield to make Muntari expendable, even if he is arguable their best option in the middle of the field. With the money they get from Inter, Portsmouth will be able to bid for Chelsea’s Shawn Wright-Phillips, the right winger Harry Redknapp needs to round out his lineup. Muntari’s departure actually solidifies the team’s starting XI and, provided an aging defence holds up, makes them a favorite to qualify for the UEFA Cup. Though their lack of depth may prevent them from challenging the top four in league, they will be capable of challenging in the knock-out formats of both domestic cups.
You could criticize Inter for overpaying slightly, but their circumstances were unique. The club had a roster that was (relatively) weak in midfield and ill-suited for Mourinho’s system or advancing deeper in the Champions League than they did last season. Muntari addresses all their needs, and while he might lack the skills in distribution to take advantage of Inter’s talented striking corps, he gives them an athleticism in midfield that enables them to match-up against any opponent.
Quotes
“It was a dream to play for a big team. I didn’t even need to think about it for one second when I came to Inter.” - Muntari
“Essien and I are different players. He’s got a good right peg, I’ve got a good left.” - Muntari
“In the Premier League they play a different kind of football to the style in Italy, but during the last year I have matured as a player and as a man.” - Muntari
“I’m very disappointed to let him go. He’s a terrific player and was a great signing for us.” - Redknapp
“Muntari is the last buy.” - Gabriele Oriali, sporting director, Inter
“Now we will work on trimming the squad because Mourinho wants 22 players and three goalkeepers. There will be some painful goodbyes.” - Oriali
“We have too many players and it’s not an easy situation, we need to reduce the squad to 25.” - Mourinho
“For the moment, we have too many forwards and we can’t give them all as much playing time as we would like.” - Mourinho
“I’m not disappointed by Lampard. The important thing for a player is to do what makes him happy. If his decision is to stay at Chelsea I accept that.” - Mourinho
“Inter Milan have come in and made a big offer which allows us to strengthen the team in a couple of other positions. We need that. I still feel we’re a few players short if we want to do as well as we did last season.” - Redknapp
“Harry has developed my game, he has been a father figure to me. I love him, and also the Portsmouth fans, but when Inter call, you need to listen.” - Muntari
Links
San Siro welcomes Muntari
Muntari delighted with Inter move
Inter signs Ghana’s Muntari from Portsmouth
Inter claim Muntari is final signing
Inter Milan signs Muntari from Pompey
Muntari seals Inter switch
Inter Milan complete signing of Muntari
Muntari wraps up switch to Inter
Muntari seals Serie A switch
Ghana’s Muntari unveiled as Inter player
Muntari answers Inter call
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