Inter Milan’s English summer signings are yet to make a significant impact this season, with Djed Spence recently making an unconvincing first start and fellow recruits John Stones and Curtis Jones sidelined with injuries. The trio’s struggles highlight a challenging start to their Serie A careers.
Spence, who joined Inter from Tottenham in a €35 million deal, made his inaugural start for the club in a Champions League victory against Shakhtar Donetsk. However, his performance was described as unconvincing, leading to his substitution in the 59th minute. Inter coach Cristian Chivu commented on the decision, stating, "We chose him to give us pace on the counter and defensive cover against their two wide players who are quick and technically gifted." Despite the coach’s tactical reasoning, reports suggest little evidence of this impact during his 88 minutes on the pitch across all appearances. The 26-year-old defender has so far made three appearances for Inter across all competitions this season.
Injury Setbacks
Curtis Jones, the former Liverpool midfielder, is currently recovering from a thigh injury that has kept him out of Inter’s last four matches. He is anticipated to return to training next week, with a potential availability around November 3 for the Champions League fixture against Feyenoord. This timeline means Jones is expected to miss upcoming Serie A encounters against Fiorentina, Venezia, and the highly anticipated derby against Milan.
Defender John Stones is also on the road to recovery, dealing with a hamstring injury that has seen him miss the last five games. Inter hope to see Stones rejoin the squad around November 8, just before the international break, potentially making him available for the match against Como. Adding to Inter’s defensive injury concerns, Benjamin Pavard is reported to have a similar recovery timeline to Curtis Jones.
The slow integration of Spence and the ongoing injury issues for Stones and Jones mean Inter Milan are yet to fully benefit from their English summer investments. As the season progresses, the club will be keen for their English contingent to overcome these early hurdles and contribute more consistently to their Serie A and Champions League campaigns.