Inter: How Milan is building itself back up into a European powerhouse

Last Season, Inter Milan was able to sneak into the fourth position on the Serie A Table; good enough for a Champions League position as well. Then they decided that they could do even better.

This season, Inter is nipping at the heels of powerhouse Italian side Juventus. With a roster augmented by a new manager, Antonio Conte, and his new tactics Inter is currently just two points behind the Old Lady for first place in Serie A.

The momentum that has been generated since the end of last season is, I believe, the most remarkable thing about Inter; few clubs have the courage to continue to push and grow while experiencing certain levels of success or consistency. Inter have been in the top four of Serie A in three of the last four campaigns but that is not enough for the Nerazzurri or their faithful. How exactly have they come to this juncture?

The Antonio Conte innovation and starting fresh

At the end of last season, Inter decided that they were not getting what they needed from manager Luciano Spalletti. Despite having recently given him a contract extension, he was relieved of his duties on the 30th of May; who would succeed the famous Italian at San Siro?

Inter decided to hire legendary Italian Manager Antonio Conte to lead the club forward; after a year away from managing following his sacking at Chelsea, Conte seemed ready for a new challenge. Inter, never bashful as per their ambitions in Italy and Europe, needed a fiery man like Conte like Conte needed a team like the Nerrazzurri.

From the time that Conte was hired, Inter was to be shaped to his wishes. Mauro Icardi was shipped to Paris Saint-Germain in a loan/option to buy, finally ending the relentless Mauro Icardi saga at Inter it appears. He moved Ivan Perisic to Bayern on a similar deal, although he is no guarantee to stay in Germany with München’s interest in Leroy Sane ever existent. While those were just some of the larger exports out of the North of Italy, they paled in comparison to the importations of Antonio Conte.

Inter: Retooling an already talented Club

Conte moved to surround young star Lautaro Martinez with remarkable talent, and did not fail in this endeavor The 22-year-old is only getting better and needs productive talent around him to accentuate this growth practically.

Romelu Lukaku joined Inter after an unhappy stint at Manchester United; what was once so promising, had ultimately decayed with the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the José Mourinho sacking.

Lukaku has had a remarkable season in Serie A so far, completely putting to rest the idea that the 26-year-old was somehow beyond his prime; he has praised Conte as the best manager in the world accordingly.

Another Manchester United outcast came to Inter as well in Alexis Sanchez; his career has fallen to shambles since his prime Barcelona and Arsenal years. His play has been inconsistent if not better in spurts since his move to Italy; Conte recently had some frustrating words in relation to Sanchez.

The biggest innovation of the Antonio Conte era might be yet on the horizon; Christian Eriksen look set to move to Italy, one way or another.

What Christian Eriksen means for Inter

IF Christian Eriksen comes to San Siro in January, which looks likely, this Serie A race is set to finish remarkably. Eriksen will run the offensive point to perfection; Lukaku, Martinez and Sanchez will all perform better as a result of the vision and creativity of Eriksen.

With Inter only two points removed from first already, one would think that Eriksen is potentially worth that difference alone. He could add promise to the European campaign as well, with the team still capable of winning the Europa League despite the UCL disappointment.

Should Inter not get Christian Eriksen until the Summer, they remain promising in both other competitions, as well as the Coppa Italia. Tottenham can’t really afford to lose Eriksen for nothing over the summer, and so they’re incentivized to get the deal done.

With Eriksen, Inter becomes an Italian powerhouse in the midst of Europe; Juventus would have a real threat on their hands as well. Under Antonio Conte, Inter has evolved at a rapid rate; bringing more talent only furthers the aims and ambitions in Northern Italy. What does the rest of the season hold in store? Eriksen and some hardware quite likely; with patience in he players and the manager, this is just the beginning.