Speed is Key! Inter Milan's Comedic Star Steals the Show in Three Ways – But Needs to Overcome One Major Flaw to Break the Billion-Euro Mark

Inter Milan kicked off their Serie A season with a convincing 2-0 win against Lecce, securing their first victory of the new campaign. Several players made significant contributions: Matteo Darmian found both a goal and an assist, Mehdi Taremi set up a goal, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Federico Dimarco, and Benjamin Pavard all had standout moments. However, when it comes to who brought the most joy and smiles to the fans, one player stands out: Marcus Thuram.

Thuram, known affectionately as Inter’s "comedic star," has a knack for making Nerazzurri supporters laugh, and this match was no exception. When Çalhanoğlu stepped up to take a penalty, several Inter players positioned themselves to capitalize on any rebound. But Thuram, despite being one of Inter's most explosive players, raised his arms in celebration even before the Turkish midfielder had taken the shot, demonstrating absolute confidence in his teammate. Many fans in the stands at the San Siro turned their cameras from Çalhanoğlu to Thuram, capturing this playful moment—a perfect example of "stealing the show."

Of course, scoring from the spot is important, but Thuram's confident reaction also speaks volumes. From a technical standpoint, his behavior might not be advisable; every player can make mistakes, and as a forward, it would be wiser to prepare for a rebound. Nevertheless, Thuram deserves credit for winning the penalty that secured the game for Inter. Since last season, Thuram has been instrumental in winning seven penalties for Inter (against Fiorentina, Salernitana, Frosinone, Benfica, Udinese, Torino, and Lecce). Çalhanoğlu, who has scored 13 goals from penalties in the same period, owes much of his success to Thuram's efforts—a case of "stealing the show" yet again.

A Duel of Masters: Thuram vs. Taremi

When Taremi joined Inter, Italian media outlets, including La Gazzetta dello Sport and Sky Sports, highlighted him as one of the most prolific penalty earners in European football over the last five seasons. Fans at the San Siro were eager to see the Iranian showcase his skills, but it was Thuram who quickly reminded everyone not to dismiss him too soon: "In this area, I’m also a master." With these two penalty specialists in the squad, Çalhanoğlu's penalty prowess has become an even more valuable asset for Inter.

On a broader level, Thuram's knack for "stealing the show" highlights his increasing importance to the team. In the early stages of this season, Thuram has repeatedly proven himself to be a crucial player for Inter, demonstrating that his significance to the squad may have even grown compared to last season. At the start of the campaign, attention was focused primarily on Lautaro Martinez (fresh off a lucrative new contract) and Taremi (a new signing and the preseason standout). Some media outlets even began polls asking fans whether Thuram or Taremi should start. However, Thuram quickly silenced these debates with a brace in the opening match and a penalty earned in the second game, earning him the highest ratings from La Gazzetta dello Sport in both matches and overshadowing his teammates.

While this may be partly due to Lautaro’s minor injury before the Lecce game and Taremi’s absence for a few weeks in the latter part of preseason, Thuram's performances still deserve praise. Ultimately, his contributions align with the essence of the promotional images shared by Inter's official channels: Thuram embodies the principle that "speed is everything" on the pitch.

The Need for Speed: Thuram's Unique Contribution

Inter’s starting lineup in the opening match of the season had an average age of 30.1 years, the highest in Serie A. In the game against Lecce, the average age climbed even higher to 30 years and 343 days—almost 31 years old. This made it the oldest starting lineup in Serie A since May 2023. The most significant downside of an aging squad is a tendency toward sluggishness. While experience can bring greater control over the tempo and finer tactical details, it also means a lack of youthful vigor and aggression.

Thuram fills this gap with his dynamic pace. In the first match of the season, he sprinted a distance of 888 meters, far exceeding that of his teammates in the attacking third, such as Nicolò Barella (548 meters), Lautaro Martinez (477 meters), and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (565 meters). In the second league match, Thuram recorded a top sprint speed of 33.73 kilometers per hour, the fastest in the team and the reason behind Inter's decision to highlight his speed in their post-game graphics. In short, Thuram has emerged as the team’s key player in the early stages of the season precisely because he offers a dimension—speed—that no other player on the team can provide. It is a rare and valuable asset.

Rising Market Value: Thuram's Path to Becoming a Billion-Euro Player

Many fans have been discussing Thuram’s rising market value since he joined Inter. According to Transfermarkt, his valuation has surged through four upward adjustments, skyrocketing from around €30 million to the current €65 million. The question now is whether he can continue his ascent and join the exclusive club of footballers valued at over €100 million. To achieve this, Thuram must address one significant weakness: his low conversion rate in front of goal.

At the top of Serie A's statistics table this season, Thuram is among the leading scorers, but his conversion metrics are less impressive. He has missed two "big chances" (defined as opportunities where the player is expected to score) and has a shot conversion rate of just 28.57%, both the lowest among players on the first page of the leaderboard. This is rather embarrassing.

If we extend the analysis back to last season, Thuram has missed 13 big chances in Serie A, ranking fourth in the league over that period—a clear area where he needs to improve. Should he manage to enhance his finishing, his market value could rise even further, which would be a welcome development for Inter.

Conclusion: A Comedic Star with Serious Potential

As the season progresses, Thuram's performances continue to capture the imagination of Inter fans. His unique blend of humor, confidence, and on-field impact makes him a fan favorite. However, if he is to achieve his full potential and increase his market value further, he must refine his finishing ability. For Inter Milan, having such a charismatic and dynamic player in their ranks is a delight, but there is still room for Thuram to grow and reach even greater heights.