Diego Godin has been left baffled by speculation linking him with a move to Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, telling Goal that he has absolutely no plans to turn his back on a ‘spectacular’ Inter Milan side.
They do say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks and, in the case of a veteran, battle-scarred Uruguayan, maybe they have a point.
Godin established himself as one of the finest defensive talents in world football at the heart of Diego Simeone’s flattest of ‘flat back-fours’ at Atletico Madrid.
Since moving to Inter Milan last summer, however, the 34-year-old has struggled to adapt to a three-pronged defensive system favoured by Antonio Conte.
As a result, Godin has been left on the bench for eight Serie A fixtures this season, overshadowed by a man 13 years his junior in Alessandro Bastoni.
But, despite being apparently offered the chance to join forces with Jose Mourinho or Carlo Ancelotti in England, one of the most feared foot soldiers in the game is not going to walk away from his San Siro battle so easily.
‘It’s a lie’
“It never occurred to me to leave Inter. I feel part of the project. The playing squad is spectacular. My intention is to fulfil my contract,” says a man who’s goal away at Barcelona secured the La Liga title for Atletico in 2014.
“The truth is that I was surprised by (reports linking me with a move). Since I came to this club, I have always felt very comfortable. I came with the intention of helping to win titles again.
“I do not understand why some media insist that I am looking for a way out, when they know that this is a lie. I have never spoken to anyone on this subject, because it is simply not true.
“I’m going to stay here, and try to help the team in whatever they need. And if they continue to be happy with me, my time at Inter will be extended as long as they want.”
The Mirror (15 April, page 49) reported that Tottenham could snap up Godin for as little as £7 million, with the two-time Champions League finalist about as typical a Jose Mourinho signing as you could possibly imagine.
Everton were also linked earlier this month, via InterLive.
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