Inter Milan's "New Ilicic" Impresses in Training Amid National Team Tug-of-War: Ambition or Folly?

Inter Milan's summer training camp has been underway for two days. However, coach Simone Inzaghi has been working without 17 of his key players. Zelinski and Asllani are set to return on July 18, followed by the Italian quintet on the 24th. Later in July, Arnautovic, Sommer, and Calhanoglu will also join the squad. Early August will see the return of the French and Dutch internationals, with Lautaro Martinez and young talent Carboni expected back on August 8. Consequently, the focus so far has been on building fitness and regaining form, with exercises centered around running and strength training, complemented by some light drills and shooting practice.

Journalists following the team closely have highlighted four players who made a strong impression during these initial training sessions. Henrikh Mkhitaryan looked sharp post-recovery, feeling the competitive pressure from Zelinski’s arrival. Goalkeeper Josep Martinez surprised fans with his agility despite his large frame. The previously discussed Taremi continued to shine. However, the spotlight has fallen on the relatively unknown 18-year-old Slovenian prodigy, Luka Topalovic, who joined Inter this summer.

Inter acquired Topalovic for an estimated €2 million, including add-ons. This young midfielder comes with four notable distinctions. Firstly, he is at the center of a tug-of-war among three national teams—Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia—due to his mixed heritage despite being born in Slovenia. He currently plays for Slovenia’s youth teams but has yet to decide on his senior international allegiance. Secondly, he was named one of the world’s top 60 football talents born after 2006 by The Guardian, alongside other stars like Spain’s Zaire-Emery and Brazil's Endrick. Thirdly, despite his youth, Topalovic has already racked up 47 appearances in Slovenia's top league, with over 50 matches including cup and European competitions, recording 3 goals and 6 assists. Lastly, while many Inter fans hope he will become the “new Milinkovic-Savic,” Topalovic's style differs significantly.

Nicknames often reveal more truth than names in football. An apt example is a prominent fan known as “White Snow Freeloader,” whose alias accurately reflects his reputation. In Slovenia, Topalovic is dubbed the “New Ilicic” because, despite his height and long legs, he is not a physical or aerial duelist but excels in speed, explosiveness, and technical dribbling. Media outlets like 442 praise his "highly skilled" and "creative and intelligent" play. His dribbling and breakthroughs during training have already impressed coaches and journalists.

Topalovic’s summer performances in Inter’s preseason friendlies will likely provide a broader stage to showcase his talent. According to OPTA’s technical report, he averaged 3.5 dribbles per game in the 2023-24 Slovenian top league, with a success rate of 67%. Although his success rate in physical duels is lower (35%), his height and long legs make him effective in intercepting passes, blocking shots, and defending set-pieces, with an average of 5.3 ball recoveries per game.

However, Topalovic’s move to Inter has sparked debate. Relevo and Di Marzio report that he turned down offers from Atalanta and Real Sociedad before joining Inter. Both clubs intended to place him in their U23 teams, competing in Italy's Serie C and Spain's Segunda Division, respectively. Topalovic opted for Inter, believing that playing in secondary leagues would be a step back for a player who was already a regular starter in Slovenia and had European match experience. His choice to face the challenge at Inter’s first team level, while also participating in the reserve team when necessary, raises the question: is this bold ambition or naïve overconfidence?

Given Inter’s competitive squad, Topalovic might not get ample playing time, potentially stalling his development. Only time will reveal whether his decision was wise. Over the past year, he has been visibly bulking up, likely preparing for the physical demands of Serie A. Upon joining Inter, Topalovic expressed his excitement, saying, "Joining such a great club is an adventure, but I’m here to learn as much as possible. My mantra is that the line between success and failure is discipline, effort, and sweat."

Regardless, Topalovic is an international-level talent and a notable prospect in his age group. His performance in the summer friendlies will be closely watched, at least by those keen to see how this promising young player fares on a bigger stage.