Inter’s Sporting Director Scouting Three Monza Talents: Winter Moves Could Bolster Nerazzurri Strengths

In a season filled with intrigue and shifting dynamics, Inter Milan has remained at the forefront of both Serie A and transfer speculation. As the club continues its march toward silverware, recent reports have focused on the potential for new additions in the January transfer window. Early morning onlookers at the Brianteo Stadium during Monza’s 1-1 draw with Roma were quick to spot Inter’s sporting director, Piero Ausilio, seated in the stands. Accompanied by key representatives from major player agencies, Ausilio’s presence sparked widespread speculation over who had caught Inter’s attention.

Transfer rumors are typically subdued during the middle of the season, but in this case, they have quickly gained traction. Italian media have already reported three names on Ausilio’s watchlist. One is forward Dany Mota, while the other two—midfielder Warren Bondo and center-back Andrea Carboni—are said to be the primary focus of Inter’s interest. Ausilio’s trip to the Brianteo Stadium suggests that Inter is seriously considering bolstering its squad, potentially during the upcoming winter transfer window, to address some key areas that have been highlighted as needing reinforcement.

Dany Mota: The Goal-Scoring Forward

The first name on the list is Dany Mota, a forward who has already made an impression on Inter this season. He scored against the Nerazzurri during their recent clash with Monza, and this performance seems to have piqued the club’s interest. However, it’s important to note that Mota’s connections to Juventus—having played for their U23 team—make him a somewhat polarizing figure among Inter supporters. While his talent is evident, many within the Inter community are lukewarm about the prospect of his arrival, particularly due to his ties with their rivals.

At 25 years old, Mota has shown he can perform in Serie A, but whether he fits into Inter’s long-term plans remains uncertain. His versatility and knack for scoring could provide valuable depth in the forward line, but he is not seen as a priority compared to the other names on Ausilio’s scouting list.

Warren Bondo: The Industrious Midfield Engine

Warren Bondo, a 21-year-old French defensive midfielder, represents a different type of target for Inter. In a season where the club has grappled with defensive vulnerabilities, Bondo’s profile—characterized by his relentless work rate and defensive contributions—has attracted considerable attention. Nicknamed the "workhorse" by Italian commentators, Bondo excels in the attributes Inter currently needs most: stamina, tackling, and ball-winning abilities.

According to official statistics, Bondo ranks sixth in Serie A for average distance covered per match, with an impressive 11,339 meters per game. His running capacity outshines everyone at Inter, where the highest-ranking player, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, sits at 66th with just over 10,200 meters per game. This highlights a critical issue for Inter: their overall team running numbers are lagging behind the league’s best, something the club is actively looking to address.

Defensively, Bondo averages 3.7 ball recoveries per game and wins 4.0 duels, with a 51% success rate. While he may not be the most physical or dominant player in one-on-one situations, his high-energy performances make him a valuable asset in regaining possession and disrupting the opposition’s play. Offensively, however, Bondo offers little, as his dribbling, passing, and shooting metrics are relatively modest. His role is clear: provide defensive stability through sheer effort, cover ground, and allow more creative teammates to thrive.

For Inter, bringing in a player like Bondo could provide much-needed depth in the midfield, especially given the injury issues that have plagued the squad. His ability to chase down opponents and break up play makes him an ideal candidate to complement the more attack-minded midfielders like Nicolò Barella or Davide Frattesi. Given the club’s recent defensive struggles, especially in the absence of Barella, adding a young, tireless midfielder like Bondo would be a practical solution.

Andrea Carboni: The Robust Central Defender

The third and perhaps most intriguing name on Ausilio’s list is Andrea Carboni, a 23-year-old center-back who has drawn attention for his solid performances at Monza. A product of Cagliari’s youth academy, Carboni is already an experienced player, having earned caps for Italy’s U21 team. Standing at 1.88 meters, he is physically imposing, with a knack for winning defensive duels, making tackles, and cutting out opposition attacks.

Carboni’s strengths lie in his defensive statistics. He consistently ranks among the top defenders in Serie A for tackles and interceptions and has entered the top ten for clearances. However, where he still lags behind a player like Alessandro Bastoni is in his passing, particularly when it comes to long balls and distribution. Carboni’s ball-playing abilities are not as refined, meaning he would not be a direct replacement for someone like Bastoni, who is pivotal to Inter’s buildup play from the back.

What Carboni does bring, however, is stamina and defensive reliability. He covers a remarkable amount of ground for a center-back, averaging 11,243 meters per game, which places him 11th in Serie A’s overall running statistics. This puts him in elite company among defenders and suggests that he could be a key asset in addressing Inter’s defensive frailties, particularly when dealing with high-pressing or counter-attacking opponents.

While Bastoni’s forward surges and contributions to Inter’s attacking play have been lauded, they also expose the team defensively. Carboni’s more conservative, stay-at-home approach could provide much-needed balance, allowing the team to maintain its defensive shape. According to OPTA’s heat maps, Carboni rarely crosses into the opposition’s half, preferring to stay within his own territory to sweep up danger and cover large areas of the backline. This disciplined defensive mindset could be crucial for a team like Inter, which has been caught out defensively in transitions on several occasions this season.

Addressing Inter’s Defensive Concerns

The fact that Ausilio’s targets are all high-ranking players in Serie A’s distance-covered statistics is no coincidence. Inter has struggled with both injuries and form in their midfield and defense, and the club’s current scouting efforts suggest that they are well aware of the need to improve their overall running capacity. Inter’s defensive problems have been thoroughly analyzed by experts like Beppe Bergomi and Walter Zenga, two former club legends who have not hesitated to point out the vulnerabilities that have emerged, particularly since Barella’s absence.

Bergomi has been particularly critical of Frattesi, a summer signing who, despite his attacking flair, has not provided the defensive coverage Inter needs. Bergomi even went as far as to describe Frattesi as more of a forward playing behind the strikers than a true midfielder. This leaves Inter’s backline exposed, especially when combined with Bastoni’s frequent forward runs. The result has been a porous defense, vulnerable to counter-attacks and lacking the necessary solidity to protect a lead.

One key issue for Inter is the lack of depth at left center-back. Bastoni is the only natural fit for this role in Simone Inzaghi’s system, and his stamina is not one of his strengths. Furthermore, Inter’s summer signing from South America, Kevin Palacios, has yet to fully integrate into the squad and is not currently considered part of Inzaghi’s plans. Without a suitable backup, Bastoni has been forced to play extended minutes, which has had a detrimental effect on both his defensive and offensive contributions.

Several potential solutions have been floated. One is to wait and hope that Palacios will eventually adapt and become a viable rotation option. Another is to hope that Inter can reintegrate Raoul Bellanova once he recovers from injury, potentially freeing up Carlos Augusto to cover at center-back. However, the most likely scenario is that Inter will dip into the January transfer market, with Carboni’s name now emerging as a prime candidate.

Inter’s Transfer Strategy: Planning for the Future

Inter’s high command is clearly aware of the issues plaguing the team, and Ausilio’s scouting trip to Monza shows that the club is already making preparations to address these problems. While any potential signings would depend on financial constraints, budgets, and player registration rules, the fact that the club’s management is actively seeking solutions is a positive sign.

Bringing in players like Bondo and Carboni could go a long way toward improving Inter’s defensive resilience and overall work rate. These are young, energetic players who can provide depth in key areas while also addressing the team’s declining running numbers. Whether these moves are made in January or held off until the summer remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Inter is laying the groundwork for future success by focusing on the areas of the team that need improvement.