Inter Milan's Unsung Hero Sneijder: Key to New Signings and a 30-Year Record Challenge by the Versatile Zelinski

In the bustling world of Inter Milan, the name on everyone's lips recently isn't just Thuram, gearing up for the Euros, or Lautaro, heading for the Copa America. It's not even Simone Inzaghi, who turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia to extend his stay at Inter, nor the newly signed Josep Martínez. The man in the spotlight is none other than Wesley Sneijder. The Dutch maestro, long retired from professional play, has found himself at the center of two pivotal developments for Inter.

Firstly, Sneijder played a crucial role in the signing of Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi. Upon arriving in Milan, Taremi underwent a routine medical check, and barring any unforeseen issues, he is set to sign with the club. Sneijder, who once played alongside Taremi at Al-Gharafa SC in Qatar during the 2018-19 season, vouched for his former teammate’s abilities. “I played with Taremi, and I know how strong he is. Now that he’s joining ‘my team,’ I hope the fans will support him,” Sneijder remarked to the Iranian press.

Taremi had several offers, some financially more appealing than Inter's. His decision to choose Inter Milan over other high-paying options was significantly influenced by Sneijder’s endorsement. With key forwards like Lautaro and Thuram likely to return late from international duties and potentially in less-than-ideal condition, Taremi’s presence becomes even more critical. Should he succeed, Inter fans will have Sneijder to thank for his instrumental role in bringing Taremi to Milan.

Moreover, Sneijder's influence extends beyond Taremi. He has also been linked to the rise of another Inter player, Piotr Zielinski. The former coach of Zielinski highlighted three major qualities that make him exceptional: hard work, loyalty, and an ambidextrous ability that is rare in football, especially at Inter since Sneijder himself.

The coach reminisced about the first time he saw Zielinski during a regional team training camp. Despite being two years younger and physically smaller than his peers, Zielinski's superior technique and creativity set him apart. His ambidexterity was particularly striking; he could use both feet with equal proficiency, a quality he developed naturally from a young age.

In football, the ability to use the weaker foot is often a critical measure of a player’s overall skill. For instance, when Vinícius Júnior joined Real Madrid at 18, his right foot was far superior to his left, prompting criticism of Brazilian coaching methods. It took unconventional training methods and significant effort for Vinícius to improve his left foot, eventually transforming him from a raw talent to a Ballon d'Or contender.

Zielinski, however, is different. He has no distinct weaker foot, a trait he has honed since he was six or seven. Official records often list a player’s preferred foot, such as Barella and Frattesi being right-footed or Dimarco and Bastoni being left-footed. Zielinski, on the other hand, is listed as two-footed. This rare attribute has not been seen frequently in Inter's midfield since Sneijder and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Last season, Mkhitaryan was one of the most prolific chance creators but also one of the most wasteful finishers, scoring only two goals from 48 shots. His inability to be truly ambidextrous was a factor in his missed opportunities. Zielinski, however, presents a different scenario. His career statistics show a nearly equal distribution of goals scored with both feet, making him a more unpredictable and formidable opponent.

During the 2018-19 Serie A season, Zielinski scored six goals for Napoli, with four from his right foot and two from his left. The following season, all his goals were left-footed, balancing his record. In the 2020-21 season, he netted eight goals, four with each foot. In the 2022-23 Serie A season, he scored three goals (one right-footed, two left-footed), and in the same Champions League season, he scored four goals (three right-footed, one left-footed). This kind of balance is a tactical asset for any team.

Inter Milan's strategists are now pondering the potential impact of Zielinski in the upcoming season. One major expectation is for him to break the long-standing record for goals by a central midfielder in a single Serie A season. Since OPTA began tracking Serie A in 1994-95, the record for non-penalty goals by an Inter central midfielder is seven, held by Paul Ince (1996-97) and Esteban Cambiasso (2010-11).

Last season, Davide Frattesi had the potential to challenge this record, but his limited playtime due to weaknesses in ball control and organization, coupled with Nicolo Barella's high stamina and consistent performances, hindered his chances. Zielinski, however, is not just a talented scorer but also proficient in ball control and playmaking. With Mkhitaryan aging and Zielinski's superior ambidexterity, he stands a strong chance of breaking the elusive "seven-goal" barrier.

Sneijder's legacy at Inter isn't just as a player but now as a behind-the-scenes influencer. His recommendation brought Taremi to Milan, potentially solving Inter's short-term attacking woes. Meanwhile, Zielinski’s all-roundedness offers a new dynamic to Inter’s midfield, reminiscent of Sneijder’s own versatility. As Inter fans look forward to the new season, they can do so with optimism, knowing that their club legend Sneijder continues to shape the team’s fortunes, even off the pitch.