There was a moment, during last summer’s European Championships, which really summed up the way Denzel Dumfries was playing on the right-hand side of the Netherlands attack.
Having spent pretty much the entirety of the first-half against North Macedonia racing down the wing like a human bullet train, poor Clive Tyldesley, watching from a studio rather than the stands due to COVID restrictions, let out a roar of excitement as Dumfries exploded into the box for what felt like the umpteenth time.
It was only then that the commentator realised he was watching a replay of a previous move. But who could him, really?
After all, Dumfries had made the same run so many times that inside the first 45 minutes that they almost seemed to roll into one.
Dumfries has produced three goals and five assists so far this season. Not bad for a full-back, even if he’s unlikely to match the numbers set by Achraf Hakimi during the Moroccan’s one and only season in Italian football last term.
Will Denzel Dumfries help fire Inter Milan to Serie A glory?
“It took some time to close the deal, but when it happened, I had goosebumps,” Dumfries said before Christmas, reflecting on his £12 million move to the reigning Scudetto holders.
It’s a deal that, with every week that goes by, is starting to look more and more like a bargain.
“I was talking to (my agent Mino) Raiola every day,” he adds. “I strongly wanted to join Inter. I had an offer from Everton, but I didn’t think twice about coming here.”
One suspects, after six months in Milan, Dumfries will be even more content in his decision.
Everton, after all, are treading water in the Premier League, leaks springing from all angles. The 3-1 midweek defeat to a vastly-superior Newcastle United left Frank Lampard’s sorry side 16th in the table, just five points off the bottom.
And while Inter might have been stunned by city rivals Milan last time out – Olivier Giroud’s quickfire double turning around a game the Nerazzuri had dominated until late on – they are still sitting pretty in top spot, a game in hand on second place Napoli.
Next week, Inter will host Liverpool in arguably the most eye-catching Champions League tie of the last-16. For Everton, however, Champions League football is but a distant dream.
This season is all about avoiding the Championship.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
