‘What a flop’: Everton agreed to sign £25m man, started just 7 games since

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When Joaquin Correa marked his Inter Milan debut with two goals in 16 minutes against Hellas Verona in August, this was supposed to be the start of something special.

Instead, seven months on, it’s tempting to wonder whether the Argentina international will ever reach those heights again in Nerazzuri colours. 

Correa has only scored twice more since that match-winning cameo at the Stadio Marc Antonio Bentegodi.

Injuries haven’t helped. The former Lazio and Sevilla schemer has been afflicted by hamstring, hip and knee issues at the San Siro. But, even when fully fit, Correa’s performances have left a lot to be desired. 

“What a flop!” reads a headline on the Calciomercato website, describing the £25 million deal that took him from Lazio to the reigning Serie A champions last summer ‘the biggest mistake’ of Beppe Marotta’s four-year spell as Inter’s CEO. 

The Argentine Alan Partridge to Steven Zhang’s Tony Hayers, Correa might not even get a second season to prove those doubters wrong. The report adds that, with Inter needing to sell before they can buy, Correa could be sacrificed to make room for a new face.

Monkey tennis, anyone? 

Flop of the season?

“Playing for the Italian champions is a source of pride, a huge responsibility,” Correa said last summer.  

“I wanted so much to come here and being here means a lot. I really want to help and show what I can do.”

It’s easy to forget, given how things have gone for him at the San Siro, that Correa felt like a real coup at the time, particularly when you consider Inter’s well-publicised financial problems.

Everton were initially the frontrunners for Correa’s signature. The Toffees were confident that they would complete a deal before September’s transfer deadline, having reached an agreement with Lazio (Alfredo Pedulla).  

With Everton circling the plughole at the wrong end of the Premier League table, Correa may feel he dodged a bullet at Goodison Park. Then again, The feeling could be mutual.

“I’m sorry he got injured,” former striker Julio Cruz tells FCInterNews, backing his compatriot to bounce back from a forgettable debut campaign at the San Siro.  

“On his debut, Inter he did very well and his talents had already emerged at Lazio. When a player does not have continuity due to physical problems, he cannot prove what he is capable of.

“But I am sure that when he is over this, he will become an important resource for the Nerazzurri.”