Inter's €160 Million Duo Face Challenges: Third-Best Striker and Defensive Stalwart Struggle in Global Market

In recent reports from European media, a list of the season’s top defenders, wing-backs, forwards, and midfielders was unveiled, with several Inter Milan players making it into the Top 5. Names like Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Lautaro Martinez, and Nicolo Barella were highlighted. These players are among the most recognized and acclaimed in both Inter and Serie A. However, when evaluated on a global scale, some of these stars, notably Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard, represent cases of "valuable but unmarketable" or "non-mainstream atypical" talents. Together, they are valued at €160 million, with Lautaro priced at €110 million and Pavard at €50 million, according to Transfermarkt.

Lautaro Martinez, estimated to be worth €110 million, is ranked third among global forwards, just behind Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, valued at €180 million each. Being the third most valuable player in his position globally is a testament to Lautaro's status as a superstar. However, if Lautaro were to enter the transfer market, would any club be willing to pay over €100 million for him? Many market experts doubt it. Pavard, on the other hand, is valued at €50 million. Italian sports newspapers and journalists from AC Milan and Juventus acknowledge that Pavard is one of Serie A's most capable and comprehensive defenders. Yet, Pavard faces a significant debate: is he a right-back or a center-back? This question has sparked widespread discussion among fans and experts alike.

Recently, France’s head coach, Didier Deschamps, commented on Pavard's role, stating, "Is Pavard a starter? He is part of the squad, and like all selected players, he could start. As a center-back? He isn’t a true center-back in Inter’s tactical system!" Pavard himself responded in an interview, saying, "Everyone sees me as a right-back, yes, I have played that position for many reasons. But since I was very young, my position has been center-back, and that’s where I feel best and can fully express my qualities!" This statement essentially challenges the widespread perception of him being a right-back.

Pavard's move from Bayern Munich to Inter Milan was partly motivated by his dissatisfaction with being consistently deployed as a right-back at Bayern. He was happier at Inter, where he could play as a center-back. However, the problem now is that Deschamps asserts that Pavard's role as a "right center-back" at Inter isn’t genuinely that of a center-back but still a right-back, implying that he must play as a right-back for the national team. This situation signifies that Pavard’s struggle to be recognized as a center-back is far from over.

Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard's issues might seem unrelated but share an underlying logic: Inter Milan's 3-5-2 system doesn’t align well with the 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formations favored by many European powerhouses and championship-winning national teams. This discrepancy influences various aspects of their careers. Many have questioned why Lautaro, despite being Serie A MVP, doesn’t generate as much market interest as players like Victor Osimhen, Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee, or Jonathan David, who aren’t rated higher than him.

One crucial reason is that Lautaro plays in a two-forward system at Inter, partnering with strikers like Romelu Lukaku, Edin Dzeko, and Marcus Thuram. Under Luciano Spalletti, when he played as a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 system, his competitiveness wasn’t as strong (scoring five goals in 1,344 minutes of open play). Since Antonio Conte’s era, he has rarely played as a lone striker at the club. The elite clubs capable of matching Lautaro’s high salary demands usually play with a single striker and might hesitate to spend over €100 million on a player unproven in that role.

Similarly, Pavard faces a dilemma. Deschamps’ assertion that Pavard plays as a right-back at Inter has merit. Comparing his season heat map to other right-backs in the French national team shows similarities. In many 3-5-2 systems, the role of a wide center-back involves more “center-back attributes” than “full-back attributes.” However, Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 requires more offensive contributions and wider coverage from its wide center-backs, meaning Pavard’s role at Inter isn’t directly comparable to center-backs in a four-back system. In major tournaments like the European Championship, coaches tend to be conservative, prioritizing defensive solidity. Deschamps’ reluctance to use Pavard as a center-back is understandable.

In summary, Lautaro and Pavard’s problems stem from tactical fit. This issue extends beyond these two players. Positions like wing-backs in a 3-5-2 and full-backs in a four-back system also experience similar "valuable but unmarketable" phenomena. This situation has both drawbacks and benefits. The downside is that it might reduce Inter’s chances of selling certain players for exorbitant fees. The upside is that players like Pavard, who have a strong “center-back fixation,” will appreciate and be more grateful to Inter the more they clash with external perceptions.