Why Poland Star Can Be The ‘Wild Card’ For Cristian Chivu At Inter Milan | OneFootball

Nicola Zalewski can act as a vital attacking “wild card” for coach Cristian Chivu at Inter Milan next season.

This is the view in today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews.

Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu looks intent on changing up the formation next season.

The 44-year-old wants to play with a 3-4-2-1 shape using attacking midfielders.

That means that Inter will most likely have to make a signing this summer. Reports indicate that they want to sell striker Mehdi Taremi and replace him with more of an attacking midfield profile.

However, Chivu will also look to repurpose some players already in the squad. For example, Davide Frattesi could find new life playing in the channels behind the striker.

Nicola Zalewski A Vital “Wild Card” For Chivu At Inter

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 03: Nicola Zalewski of FC Internazionale competes for the ball with Nicolas Valentini of Hellas Verona FC during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 03, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

In the view of Tuttosport, though, the key to Chivu’s change in system could be Nicola Zalewski.

The Polish international had already shown his versatility over the second half of last season.

Zalewski played as both a left-wingback and a right-wingback under former Inter coach Simone Inzaghi.

But in the last couple matches of the campaign, Inzaghi also tried Zalewski out in attacking midfield.

And the 23-year-old’s performance against Torino in particular showed what he’s capable of.

Zalewski opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range effort.

But even more significantly, the former Roma wingback was the player who all of Inter’s possession play went through.

Zalewski linked the midfield and attack together. And therefore, he could be a key player for Chivu to implement his new ideas.