Andy Diouf. (Photo by Mattia Pistoia – Inter/Inter via Getty Images)
Andy Diouf is the only new face from Inter`s recent transfer window yet to fully emerge. So far, he has only played eleven minutes against Torino on the first matchday, followed by four consecutive appearances on the bench in both league and Champions League matches. In contrast, all other summer signings have seen more action: Akanji is already a regular starter, Sucic has started twice, Bonny has come on as a substitute in every game and has already scored his first goal, while Luis Henrique, who remained largely in the shadows until last Sunday, justified the 25 minutes given by Chivu with promising moments.
Just 11 Minutes
Therefore, only Diouf remains. The Frenchman`s limited playing time includes a brief appearance on the opening day, where he notably made at least three misplaced passes. Chivu appears to be holding back, waiting for the right moment to best utilize his talents. Acquired from Lens for a fixed fee of twenty million euros plus another five million in bonuses, he has, to date, cost Inter approximately 1.8 million euros per minute played. His primary role is a central midfielder, but statistics suggest he needs considerable improvement in goal scoring. Diouf has only scored five goals in his club career. One of these was against Fiorentina in 2023, during the first leg of the Conference League semi-final – a low, angled left-footed shot after a twenty-meter run with the ball from midfield, dribbling past Martinez Quarta. So far, he has only been noted for a goal scored in a friendly match at Appiano against Padova.
Key Qualities
Chivu discussed Diouf in the press room before the Sassuolo match: “Andy is a central midfielder, but he can also play as a defensive midfielder in a two-man midfield. I haven`t yet had the chance to assess him as a playmaker.” The plan is to gradually give him minutes without rushing him. Diouf was a key player for William Still`s Lens, the 33-year-old coach now at Southampton and one of Europe`s most intriguing young managers. Still`s philosophy centered on high pressing and midfield density. Lens, until last year, structured their play around a 3-2-5 formation, with very high wingers and two versatile central midfielders who were both interceptors and box-to-box players. Diouf was one of these, always excelling in both aspects. Among Ligue 1`s Under 21 midfielders, he ranked second for average “progressive carries” per game, at 3.3. This metric measures the distance a player carries the ball forward, contributing to progression. Andy loves to make runs and push forward, confirmed by his average of at least three progressive runs per game into the opponent`s final third. Inter is eager to see these qualities displayed at San Siro.
