Inter Milan: Chivu 'Keeps Half an Eye on the Goal'

Juventus is struggling to solve the puzzle of a high-class goalkeeper to replace the disappointing Michele De Gregorio, while Cristian Chivu is at ease thinking about his goalkeeping options.

After starting goalkeeper Yann Sommer's contract expired, Inter quickly spent 3 million euros on Lazio to bring in Ivan Provedel, a 32-year-old goalkeeper with extensive international experience. The worries of others were easily resolved by Inter with a proud smirk.

Low Investment, High Efficiency

When deciding to part ways with Sommer, Inter considered buying a top-class goalkeeper, with Guglielmo Vicario and Anatoliy Trubin previously linked, but ultimately they changed their strategy with Provedel, who cost Inter about one-tenth of the amount they had planned to spend on a new goalkeeper.

That was by no means a gamble. In recent years under President Beppe Marotta, Inter has never needed to invest heavily in the goalkeeper position to achieve success. Andre Onana arrived for zero euros, Yann Sommer cost only 6.9 million euros, Josep Martinez around 13 million euros, and now Provedel for 3 million.

Onana and Sommer both showed that transfer fees do not accurately reflect a goalkeeper's quality. Onana, after a standout season at Inter, was sold to Manchester United for a staggering 55 million, while Sommer quickly became an important part of the system that helped Inter maintain dominance in Italy and advance deep into the Champions League. Martinez has always been reliable despite limited appearances, but his humility and constant effort have made him the top choice for Inter's goal after Sommer's departure. Provedel, with extensive experience in Serie A and European competitions, is always ready to compete with undeniable quality.

10 People for 1 Person

However, the success of Inter's "budget" goalkeepers does not come solely from their reflexes. The way Nerazzurri protect their goal is a key reason that creates excellent goalkeepers.

For many years, Inter has possessed top-class and experienced defenders, and has built an extremely tight defensive system. The team not only protects the penalty area through individual quality but also through positioning, team spacing, control of space, and the chemistry developed over many seasons playing together. When the defense functions well, the goalkeeper does not face too many dangerous situations, and when the number of shots Inter faces decreases, the goalkeeper's role becomes less important.

This is a fundamental difference between Inter and other major rivals like Juventus, Napoli, or Milan. Inter succeeds partly because they make the goalkeeper not have to be a hero too often. In other words, they not only find a good player to save the defense's mistakes but also try to build a defense that gives the goalkeeper few opportunities to make errors. Sommer's departure certainly leaves a gap, but Chivu can be confident that Martinez and Provedel can always fill it.

Who Will Be Number One?

The competition between Martinez and Provedel is also interesting because it presents Inter with two very different choices. Martinez is younger, has development potential, and was invested in by the club with the intention of becoming Sommer's successor, but he has not yet truly proven his ability at the highest level over a sufficiently long period, especially in international competitions. This season could therefore be a decisive turning point: either Martinez turns potential into real class, or Inter will have to return to the market.

Provedel is the opposite. He is no longer at an age to be considered a future project, but he brings something that Martinez cannot buy with potential: stability and experience. One is an option for the years ahead, the other is reliable insurance for the present. They compete for the number one spot, pushing each other to improve their performance, while also complementing and supporting each other in specific contexts.

Chivu, therefore, does not need to worry too much when looking at the goal. Currently, Chivu's focus is on positions that can help him worry even less about Martinez or Provedel, such as a top-class defensive midfielder like Manu Kone and a top center-back like Cristian Romero.