Inter - injuries & suspensions October 2026

Inter begin the 2026/2027 season as Italian champions and holders of the domestic double. They finished the previous campaign with two trophies, while Cristian Chivu was named Serie A Coach of the Season. The Romanian made the most of his first season in charge and remains at the helm. There was no major squad overhaul in Milan this summer, but several key players have departed. Inter must now find replacements for them without losing the form that brought them success.

Chivu gets another chance

Chivu took charge of Inter in June 2025 and won the Italian title and the Coppa Italia with the team in his first season. Their successful campaign earned him recognition and a new contract, which runs until 2028. The Romanian can therefore continue working with the team, but expectations of Inter will be even higher after they won two trophies. Maintaining their high level throughout the season will not be easy, particularly as several key players left this summer. Chivu must find replacements and ensure that changes to the squad do not weaken the team’s bid for more silverware..

Defence rebuilt

One of the biggest names to arrive in Milan this summer is John Stones. The Englishman spent ten seasons at Manchester City and brings a wealth of experience at the highest level. He is comfortable on the ball and can help build attacks from the back. Manuel Akanji has also stayed in defence, with Inter signing him permanently from Manchester City after a successful loan spell. The Swiss international is expected to continue playing an important role at the back.

Inter said goodbye to several players with defensive responsibilities this summer. Denzel Dumfries moved to Real Madrid, while Stefan de Vrij, Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian and Yann Sommer also left the club. One of the new arrivals is Djed Spence, signed from Tottenham. The Englishman can play on either flank, giving Chivu another option at wing-back. Ivan Provedel, who spent the last four seasons at Lazio, is set to replace Sommer between the posts.

Jones to strengthen midfield

Curtis Jones has joined the midfield on a permanent deal from Liverpool. The Englishman can play in several positions, is comfortable on the ball and can contribute to the press. He could prove useful both in matches where the team enjoys long spells of possession and in more evenly balanced contests.

Nicolò Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Piotr Zieliński will retain important roles in midfield. Federico Dimarco remains a key presence on the left, with his crosses often creating opportunities for Inter to find the net. However, not all of the club’s midfielders from last season have stayed in Milan. Davide Frattesi has joined Lazio on loan, while Kristjan Asllani moved to Al-Jazira. Aleksandar Stanković has returned to Inter after a successful season at Brugge.

Esposito awaits a bigger role

Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram will remain the main men in attack. The Argentine is still the team’s leader, while the Frenchman complements him well with his pace. The first-choice strike partnership remains unchanged, but Pio Esposito could feature more regularly. The Inter academy graduate has signed a new contract that runs until 2032. Esposito offers different qualities to Thuram. He can hold up the ball and make use of his physical presence, giving Chivu another option in attack. His long-term contract shows that the club sees him as part of its future.

Defending the trophies will not be easy

Chivu begins the season with a team fresh from a successful campaign, with nothing left to prove about its ability to win trophies. Inter have retained a strong core, but several players who had been responsible for important aspects of their game over the years departed this summer. Stones, Spence and Provedel are expected to fill the gaps, while Jones will give Chivu more options in midfield. The key question now is whether Inter can cope with those departures and maintain their level despite the changes to the squad. Their rivals will be looking to take the title from them, so repeating last season’s success will take hard work.