New Darmian, New Gosens? Inter's Versatile Ace Nearly Became an Accountant: The Rebel Child as the Solution to Squad Crisis

Inter Milan finds itself in a midfield and defensive personnel crisis, with mixed news coming out of the camp. On the positive side, Benjamin Pavard is set to return from injury sooner than expected, possibly rejoining full training within days. However, heading into this weekend’s clash with the "tough nut" Udinese, Inter will be without Denzel Dumfries and Stefan de Vrij due to injuries. While Juan Cuadrado and Alessandro Bastoni have recovered, neither is fit enough to play a full 90 minutes, leaving the team with limited options for their lineup.

La Gazzetta dello Sport has spent considerable ink discussing the possibility of Davide Frattesi being deployed as a right wing-back. However, Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, who has been closely following Inter's training sessions over the past few days, suggests that head coach Simone Inzaghi is leaning towards using Frattesi as a central midfielder to add forward thrust. In this midfield and defensive crisis, the key player could be Carlos Augusto, who might become Inter's new "Swiss Army knife" — capable of playing left wing-back, left center-back, and even filling in as a right wing-back wherever needed. This role is reminiscent of Matteo Darmian, whose versatility has been invaluable for Inter.

Giuseppe Marotta, Inter's CEO, recently spoke about Darmian's unexpected impact. When Darmian joined Inter during Antonio Conte's tenure for a minimal fee, few considered him a significant addition. At the time, Inter's squad featured standout players like Achraf Hakimi and Ivan Perišić, as well as reliable options like Danilo D'Ambrosio and Ashley Young. However, over the years, Darmian's ability to play multiple positions — from wing-back to center-back — has helped Inter navigate numerous injury crises. Fans even chanted, "We need 11 Darminians!" Darmian's combination of versatility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness makes him a treasured asset. The reality is, finding players like Darmian, who can consistently perform above average in multiple positions, is exceedingly rare.

The possibility of developing Carlos Augusto into the next Darmian is an intriguing prospect for Inter. This move would not only address immediate needs but also be a strategic investment for the future. Next season's expanded Champions League, coupled with the European Championship and Club World Cup, means top players could face over 80 matches in a year. This likely increase in fixtures will make injuries more common. Having a player like Augusto, capable of filling various roles, would be incredibly beneficial.

Carlos Augusto's background and development share similarities with another versatile player, Robin Gosens. Gosens' journey was marked by the struggle between his parents' aspirations for him to pursue a non-football career and his own determination to become a professional player. His parents, both white-collar professionals, were initially hesitant about his football career. Nonetheless, Gosens persisted, despite facing numerous challenges in his youth development. His resilience and fighting spirit became his defining characteristics.

Similarly, Carlos Augusto comes from an academically elite family. His father is a top accountant with his own firm, and his mother is a university professor. His family was always skeptical about his decision to pursue football, prioritizing his academic achievements. Augusto's youth mirrored that of a Chinese student, where football was a "side job," and excelling academically was the main focus. In an interview with Inter TV, Augusto revealed, "I never thought of becoming a professional footballer when I was young. Even at 18, my father told me, 'If they don't give you a professional contract, you can come work with me.'" However, Augusto's passion for football ultimately led him to a professional career, diverging from the path of becoming an accountant.

Augusto's experiences shaped him into a resilient player. Like Gosens, his non-traditional path to professional football meant his technical skills weren't as refined as those who went through elite youth academies. In Brazilian football, this lack of technical polish is a significant disadvantage. However, Augusto's love for the game saw him overcome these hurdles. The turning point in his career came when a coach switched his position to defense at the age of 15. This strategic change allowed Augusto to focus on his defensive strengths and physicality, making up for his technical shortcomings. From securing a professional contract in Brazil to moving to Europe and joining a top club like Inter, Augusto's journey has been marked by steady improvement and adaptability.

Given his background, Augusto is well-suited for the role of a "universal patch." His experience in adapting to various positions and responsibilities on the pitch makes him a reliable option for Inzaghi to deploy wherever needed. This versatility could be pivotal in addressing Inter's current squad challenges and long-term planning. As football schedules become increasingly demanding, having a player like Augusto who can plug gaps across multiple positions will be invaluable.

Looking ahead, Inter's ability to cultivate Augusto into a new Darmian or Gosens-type player could significantly strengthen their squad depth. His academic upbringing and the challenges he faced in his youth have instilled in him a work ethic and determination that are vital in high-pressure environments. With injuries becoming more frequent due to the congested fixture list, players like Augusto will be crucial in maintaining team performance across multiple competitions.

Marotta's remarks about Darmian highlight the value of having such multifaceted players. Darmian's contributions have been instrumental in navigating personnel crises, and Augusto has the potential to offer similar benefits. By nurturing Augusto's versatility and ensuring he can perform reliably in various roles, Inter can mitigate the impact of injuries and maintain a competitive edge.

In conclusion, Carlos Augusto represents a promising solution to Inter's current and future challenges. His journey from a potential accountant to a professional footballer has equipped him with unique strengths that can be harnessed to great effect. As Inter Milan faces a critical phase with injuries and a demanding fixture schedule, Augusto's role as a versatile utility player could prove to be a masterstroke, ensuring the team remains resilient and competitive.