Inter Milan Reaps Success but May Have a Surprise in Store: New Signing Palacios Set to Follow Bisseck’s Path

As international break rolls on, Inter Milan finds itself receiving an array of positive news regarding the condition of its players, alongside the potential emergence of a rising star. Federico Dimarco’s stellar performance in Italy’s match against Belgium, Nicolò Barella’s recovery and strong commitment to the club, and Tajon Buchanan’s accelerating return from injury have all brought smiles to the Nerazzurri faithful. But amidst these developments, two young defenders—Tomás Palacios and Alex Pérez—have come into focus, with Palacios in particular potentially poised to make his mark on the team in the coming months.

Palacios, an Argentine center-back described by the media as the "Pampas Colossus," has been a figure of intrigue since his summer transfer to Inter for a reported €11 million (including bonuses). The young defender arrived from Argentina with considerable promise, but his path to integration at the club hasn’t been smooth. When the transfer was finalized, many expected Palacios to be registered for Inter's UEFA Champions League squad, yet head coach Simone Inzaghi made the surprising decision to leave him off the list. This raised questions about whether Inzaghi had any real plans for the Argentine newcomer.

Inzaghi’s decision sparked concern among fans and pundits, leading some to believe that Palacios might have been sidelined from the start. Adding to the uncertainty was the fact that Palacios did not speak Italian, English, or French—languages commonly used among Inter's players and coaching staff. This language barrier, combined with Inzaghi’s unfamiliarity with Palacios’ strengths and playing style, left the young defender seemingly far from first-team action.

Yet, just a few months later, the situation appears to be evolving. Palacios has made significant strides in his adaptation to life at Inter, and his standing within the team has begun to improve. Thanks to the support of fellow Argentine teammates Lautaro Martínez and Joaquín Correa, Palacios has quickly settled in at the club. Remarkably, he even conducted an interview in Italian with Inter Radio earlier this month, managing to string together basic phrases despite his limited grasp of the language. While his Italian is still a work in progress, the fact that Palacios is making the effort has not gone unnoticed by his coaches and teammates.

Overcoming Early Obstacles: Palacios’ Journey to Inter

When Inter Milan signed Palacios, a 19-year-old left-footed center-back, it was clear that the club viewed him as a potential long-term investment. The initial plan was for him to act as a backup to Alessandro Bastoni, one of Inter’s starting defenders, particularly in Inzaghi’s favored three-man defense. Standing at 1.96 meters tall, Palacios has the physical attributes to thrive in the role, but his inexperience and communication issues delayed his progression.

Palacios' struggles to secure a spot on the matchday squad were compounded by the fact that he was left off the Champions League roster. Instead of making his European debut, he found himself competing for minutes with seasoned professionals and trying to adjust to the pace of Serie A football. For weeks, Palacios didn’t even make the bench in domestic league matches, leaving some to wonder if Inter had made a mistake in signing the youngster.

However, the tides began to shift as Palacios worked hard to prove himself. By mid-September, the Argentine had made enough progress to be included in the matchday squad for Inter's Serie A fixtures. Inzaghi selected him as a substitute in four consecutive games between Matchday 4 and Matchday 7, and in Inter’s clash against Udinese, Palacios was even called up to warm up as a potential replacement. Though he didn’t make his debut in that match, it was a clear sign that Palacios was edging closer to a first-team opportunity.

Inzaghi’s Growing Trust in Palacios

Inzaghi’s recent public comments about Palacios offer further evidence of the defender’s growing importance to the team. The coach has praised Palacios’ attitude and work ethic, noting that the young defender is not only learning quickly but also possesses excellent technical ability and a strong understanding of the game. "He’s a kid with great potential," Inzaghi remarked in a recent interview. "He observes his teammates and learns every day. His technical skills and ability to read the game are impressive, and he’s making strides in fitting into our three-man defensive system. Watching him train hard is something every coach appreciates."

Inzaghi’s confidence in Palacios reflects a shift in his assessment of the player. While the initial lack of knowledge about Palacios' style and communication challenges had held him back, the defender's dedication to improving his language skills and learning from his teammates has paid off. Palacios now seems poised to make his debut for Inter in the near future, with Inzaghi hinting that the youngster could play not only as Bastoni’s understudy but also in the central role of the three-man defense.

Drawing Parallels to Yann Aurel Bisseck’s Development

The optimism surrounding Palacios' potential emergence has drawn comparisons to the path followed by Yann Aurel Bisseck, another young defender who joined Inter last season. Like Palacios, Bisseck initially faced significant hurdles after his arrival. Language barriers and limited opportunities meant that Bisseck spent much of his first two months on the bench, with few chances to impress.

However, beginning in October of the previous year, Bisseck gradually started to see more action, earning the trust of Inzaghi and working his way into the rotation. His patient approach and willingness to adapt ultimately paid off, and he became an important figure for Inter as the season progressed. The parallels between Bisseck’s trajectory and Palacios' current situation are striking, and many now believe that Palacios could follow a similar path to success.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, which recently featured Palacios prominently in its pages, Inter's willingness to invest over €11 million in the young defender is a clear indication of the club’s belief in his abilities. The newspaper pointed out that Inter rarely spends that amount of money on young players unless they are fully confident in their potential. Palacios, they argue, has all the tools necessary to become a valuable asset for the team, and the coming months could see him gradually break into the first-team setup just as Bisseck did last season.

A Bright Future Awaits

As Palacios continues to impress in training and his communication skills improve, it seems increasingly likely that he will soon make his official debut for Inter Milan. The comparisons to Bisseck are not unwarranted, and with Inzaghi’s growing trust in the player, Palacios could find himself playing an important role as the season progresses.

His versatility, which allows him to play both as a left-sided center-back and in the central role of the defense, gives Inter additional options in their backline. With Alessandro Bastoni as a mentor and fellow Argentine stars like Lautaro and Correa providing support, Palacios has all the ingredients necessary to succeed.

Inter Milan has every reason to be excited about their young Argentine signing. While the start of his journey at the club has been challenging, Palacios' resilience and determination to overcome obstacles have positioned him for a bright future. In a season where Inter already boasts a strong squad and is reaping the benefits of standout performances from their senior players, Palacios could very well be the surprise package that adds even more depth and quality to Inzaghi’s defensive options.

As Inter looks ahead to the rest of the campaign, the prospect of Palacios following in the footsteps of Bisseck offers a tantalizing glimpse of what the future holds for the Nerazzurri. Fans, no doubt, will be eager to see how this young talent develops and whether he can live up to the high expectations that have been set for him. For now, the signs are promising, and Palacios' story is one worth following closely as the season unfolds.