Where would Milan Skriniar be right now if he had swapped Inter Milan for Tottenham Hotspur in summer 2020?
Sixth in the Premier League table perhaps? Preparing himself for four do-or-die fixtures as a managerless Spurs look to force their way into the top four?
Facing an uncertain future after the man who brought him to north London – long-time admirer Jose Mourinho – prepares to get comfortable in the Roma dugout instead?
During the final few weeks of the summer transfer window, Tottenham offered £30 million for the Slovakian centre-back (Calciomercato).
And little has happened during the past seven months or so to suggest Skriniar would have been better off in England.
“The first sensations are incredible,” Skriniar said last night as the sweet smell of champagne filled the San Siro air while Inter celebrated their first Serie A title since their Mourinho heyday (Tuttomercatoweb).
While Daniel Levy wakes up every morning fearing another season without Champions League football, Inter have returned to their rightful place among the elite.
“I’m thrilled to be able to do something like this,” Skriniar said. “I can’t wait to celebrate with my mates. It is something unreal, certainly the greatest success in my career.
“It’s fantastic.”
Not long ago Skriniar was the odd one out at Inter, relegated to the bench after struggling to adapt to Antonio Conte’s trademark three-man back line.
How things have changed. These days Skriniar is one of the first names on Conte’s team sheet, starting every one of the past 26 league games after belatedly adapting to a new role in a new system.
The former Sampdoria ace even scored a dramatic late winner in February’s vital 1-0 triumph over Atalanta.
In fact, Skriniar’s transformation has been one of Conte’s greatest triumphs at the Nerazzurri. The 26-year-old is one of the finest central defenders in Europe again – and has certainly come a long way since being placed on the transfer list less than a year ago.
And, with a winner’s medal hanging round his neck, Skriniar could be forgiven for glancing across at Spurs and breathing an almighty sigh of relief.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
