Goal Lazio: Is Inter The Right Move For Goran Pandev?
With a January move to the Nerazzurri looking very possible, Goal.com's Lazio expert Stefano Federici asks whether the Macedonian would get what he is looking for at the San Siro...
Oct 15, 2009 2:30:36 PM
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Pandev - Lazio (Grazia Neri)
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Goran Pandev
After spending the opening two months of the season firmly in the shadows, it has been an extremely difficult period in Goran Pandev’s recent career. Following his fall-out with Lazio patron Claudio Lotito, the Macedonian hitman has desperately been searching for a way out.
With little interest during the summer market as a consequence of the €18m price tag sitting over his head, Pandev has been consigned to the stands, as he waits for the final months of his Lazio contract to expire. However, as Europe’s finest begin to scour the markets in preparation for the January transfer window, it seems the No.19 could have found an escape route with Italian champions Inter being the likely destination.
In what has been a common move for a number of former Biancocelesti in the last decade, it has been proven that swapping Formello for Appiano Gentile doesn’t always go according to plan. Taking a closer look at two former Aquilotti, we examine whether Pandev would benefit from a switch to the San Siro.
With reports of a proposed switch to Inter suggesting a cash plus co-ownership arrangement for one of the Nerazzurri’s lesser known elements, Pandev may find himself moving to the Beneamata in the same manner in which Dejan Stankovic left the capital five seasons ago.
The Serbian was at the same point in his career as Pandev when he swapped Biancocelesti for Nerazzurri at the age of 26. Coincidentally Stankovic’s move north also took place during the winter transfer market, and ironically it was Pandev who went the other way as the Nerazzurri drove down the asking price with a young bargaining tool.
Despite enduring some difficult moments with the Nerazzurri, Stankovic went from strength to strength at Inter where he added four Scudetti to his first league triumph won with the great Lazio side of 2000.
The key to Stankovic’s success with the Beneamata has been his ability to develop and adapt to different roles imposed on him by the coach. After showing his ability to cover multiple positions in the midfield line, the Serbian is still a crucial element of Jose Mourinho’s side, despite being overlooked at the start of ‘The Special One’s’ reign at the club.
Dejan Has Enjoyed Huge Success At Inter
A less fortunate former Aquilotto to make the switch from Biancocelesti to Nerazzurri in recent years was fan favourite Cesar Aparecido. After enjoying five extremely successful seasons with the Formello outfit, the Brazilian was expected to go onto great things when he made the move to the San Siro during the winter market of 2006.
Despite signing a healthy long term contract with the Beneamata, Cesar was unable to impose himself in the Inter side as Stankovic had done. The Brazilian then became another Nerazzurri spare part, and he spent the subsequent years of his Inter deal on loan to Corinthians and Livorno.
Cesar Couldn't Emulate His Lazio Form At Inter
After expressing a desire to play regular Champions League football for one of the giants of European football, it would appear that an Inter switch would be the dream move for Pandev. With Inter certain to be in the hunt for the Scudetto next May, the Macedonian may also get the chance to add a league title to his sole honour of last season’s Coppa Italia.
Given the numerous options in the Inter frontline, it is still unknown how much playing time the Macedonian would get playing second fiddle to Samuel Eto’o and Diego Milito. Whilst the Nerazzurri are keen to bring in the want-away hitman as a replacement for the Cameroonian who is set to leave for the African Cup of Nations in January, a huge question mark hangs over whether Pandev has the salt to fight for a starting place on Eto’o's return.
As the Macedonian enters the best years of his career, it could prove extremely detrimental should he spend the best part of his future days on the bench. Given the manner in which the Nerazzurri threw him around as a youngster with numerous loan moves, Pandev could once again find himself in a similar position should he fail to stake a claim for a place in the starting XI.
With Inter front of the queue to snap him up in January, it seems Pandev will have to think long and hard about his next move. Given the recent history of former Aquilotti at Appiano, it is clear such a destination is not right for everyone.
What are your views on this topic? Is Inter the right move for Pandev, or should he consider offers from elsewhere. Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…
Stefano Federici, Goal.com
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