So far, Sucic and Akanji have been the most convincing performers. Bonny scored once but has played very limited minutes.
Luis Henrique. (Image: Getty)
Luis Henrique has proven to be an incredibly expensive acquisition for Inter, costing roughly six million euros per minute given his minimal play time. Coach Chivu has only given him a brief appearance against Torino, subsequently benching him for matches against Udinese, Juventus, and Ajax. Purchased for 23 million euros (excluding bonuses), his per-minute cost is astronomical. Fans are questioning his lack of involvement. Is it an adjustment period? Likely. The Brazilian talent, who has already featured in the World Cup, needs to understand Italian football, compete with Dumfries for a starting spot, and integrate tactically into the squad. His limited minutes have not gone unnoticed. It`s crucial to note that Luis Henrique hasn`t been discarded but is simply undergoing a natural adaptation phase, much like Diouf. Some players, like Sucic, settle in quickly after a few training sessions, while others require more time.
Diouf and Bonny: Limited Minutes, High Costs
Luis Henrique isn`t alone in this predicament. Andy Diouf, acquired from Lens for twenty million euros (plus five million in bonuses), has also only played in the first match against Torino. His debut was challenging, marked by imprecise passes and inaccurate ball-carrying. Since then, he hasn`t featured again, making his cost per minute an astounding 1.8 million euros. Ange-Yoann Bonny, considered Chivu`s protégé, is next. Ausilio and Marotta signed him from Parma for 23 million euros upfront and two million in bonuses. Bonny has appeared as a substitute in all matches: 23 minutes against Torino (where he scored his first goal for Inter), 7 minutes against Udinese, 26 against Juventus, and 3 against Ajax. In the Ajax match, Chivu notably preferred Pio Esposito, who delivered a strong performance. Bonny`s total playing time is 59 minutes, costing approximately 430,000 euros per minute across four games, none of which were starts.
Sucic and Akanji: The Reliable Performers
Sucic warrants a more detailed discussion. The Croatian midfielder, signed last January and then loaned back to Dinamo Zagreb for six months, started against Torino and Udinese, and came on as a substitute against Juventus and Ajax. He performed well against Torino but struggled against Udinese. Chivu had previously used him at the World Cup. His total playing time amounts to 163 minutes. Finally, there`s Akanji. The Swiss defender started both at the Allianz Arena and the Johan Cruijff Arena, accumulating 180 minutes across two matches. Inter acquired him on a costly loan with a purchase option set at 15 million euros. So far, this investment appears to be the most significant and successful.
