Inter Milan Midfield Puzzle – French Starlet Doesn’t Meet Requirements For Current Formation | OneFootball

Andy Diouf has struggled for game time since swapping Lens for Inter Milan in the late stage of the summer transfer window.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, the Frenchman doesn’t fit into Inter’s trademark 3-5-2 formation.

Despite splashing €20 million to sign the 22-year-old in August, Cristian Chivu has barely used the ex-Lens midfielder.

Indeed, Andy Diouf has only made 11 minutes in Serie A this season, coming on as a late substitute against Torino.

Andy Diouf Struggles for Regular First-Team Football at Inter Milan

WALSALL, ENGLAND – JULY 30: Wolverhampton Wanderers Andre and RC Lens Andy Diouf in action during the pre-season friendly match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and RC Lens at Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on July 30, 2025 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

To put Diouf’s woes in perspective, Chivu has only used Tomas Palacios less frequently.

With the Argentine on the chopping block and out of the Nerazzurri project, he has yet to taste first-team football this season.

Therefore, Diouf must be heartbroken, yet his skills don’t fit Inter’s current system.

Furthermore, he was not Chivu’s first-choice target in the summer.

Instead, the 44-year-old was desperate to sign Manu Kone, only for Roma to fend the San Siro club off.

Kone would’ve been a better fit for Inter’s 3-5-2 set-up. Meanwhile, Diouf feels more comfortable in a 3-4-2-1.