Zielinski makes Inter pledge after underwhelming first year: ‘I want to prove it’ | OneFootball

Piotr Zielinski has promised that he wants to show Inter supporters what he can do in his ‘prime’ condition, and says that he wants to prove his worth after what he describes as an underwhelming first season in San Siro following his move from Napoli last summer.

Zielinski on Inter injuries, Juventus clash and 2025-26 prediction

The 31-year-old left Napoli after eight years last summer and joined Inter on a free transfer at the end of his contract. Though a first-team regular with the Partenopei, Zielinski struggled to leave his mark on the Nerazzurri midfield last season, largely due to niggling injuries.

“I started with small injuries, which meant I was never able to reach the top. Then another one came just as I was gaining confidence and finding some continuity,” Zielinski told SportMediaset in an interview published on Monday.

“Unfortunately, injuries left their mark on my first season at Inter, but it went well and I’m happy.

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: Piotr Zielinski of FC Internazionale is injured and taken off the pitch to receive medical treatment during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 08, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“This year I want to prove that I am an Inter player, that I have quality and that I will be able to give a lot to this team,” he promised.

When asked if he considers himself ‘like a new signing’ in San Siro this season, Zielinski replied: “I want to stay, I want to give my best, I want to show the fans Zielinsk in his prime.”

And where does Zielinski see himself fitting into Cristian Chivu’s midfield this season?

“I’m willing to do anything. I can play anywhere in midfield. Wherever the coach puts me, I’ll give my best so I think I’ll feel good regardless of the formation.”

Piotr Zielinski of FC Internazionale runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Internazionale Milano at BayArena on December 10, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Zielinski was also asked for his pre-match thoughts ahead of Inter’s upcoming match against rivals Juventus in the Serie A Derby d’Italia this coming weekend.

“It will be a very difficult game,” he replied. “But we have the qualities to do well. We’ll be excited to bring three points back to Milan.”

And on his reaction after Inter’s 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in last season’s Champions League final, he added: “(There was) no aftermath. It’s in the past. We started well, but then slipped against Udinese. But, there are a lot of games to play and a lot of points to win.”

And when asked if he thinks Napoli are the favourites for the Serie A title this season, Zielinski replied: “We’ll see. We’re strong, we have a lot of quality. We’ll try to be at the top by the end of the season.”