Six tackles attempted, six won
Andy Diouf arrived at Inter Milan carrying a hefty price tag. Twenty million euros paid to RC Lens last summer, a reputation as a major prospect, and then a first season spent watching others get on with it in midfield.
The breakthrough came from somewhere else. Coach Cristian Chivu has shifted the 23-year-old into right wing-back in a 3-5-2. Since then, the Nanterre-born player has barely stopped. Three goals in pre-season, including one against Juventus. Two assists on the opening day of Serie A against Monza.
Last weekend, against Napoli, he produced something different again. Six tackles attempted, six won, in Inter’s 3-2 win. Perfect in a five-goal thriller. That does not happen every Sunday.
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Spence was signed for the job, Diouf took it
The situation makes his rise easier to read. Inter lost Denzel Dumfries, their benchmark on the right side for years. The club brought in Djed Spence to cover it. Except it is Diouf who has taken the spot, and the Englishman will now have to win it back.
There is still one detail the player is not hiding. The number 17 still sees midfield as his natural position and plans to get back there. A player who can do both in a season with four competitions on the go is worth his weight in gold for any coach.
The next test comes quickly. Inter travel to Real Madrid on Tuesday at 21:00 CET in the Champions League. There are not many better places to find out whether good form is real.
Zidane has a right-back problem
His background makes the case for him. Developed at PSG and then Stade Rennais, Diouf has come through almost every youth level with France. He was an Olympic silver medallist in 2024 with the U23s.
France are looking for answers at right-back. According to Foot Mercato, that path could lead all the way to Zinedine Zidane, the new head coach, even if no call-up is on the table at this stage.
The player himself has never hidden his ambition to wear the blue shirt. He will still need to do it over a full season, though, not just three games in September.
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